Artful details and thoughtful amenities make a stay at The Gates Hotel South Beach feel like a retreat.
One of my favorite things about Miami is how each neighborhood carries its own flavor and flair. Nowhere is this more true than on Miami Beach, where the colorful energy of South Beach gives way to the glamorous, Riviera-style stretch of Mid-Beach before settling into the easy, barefoot rhythm of North Beach. Nestled between them is the Collins Park neighborhood, anchored by its namesake green space, the Bass Museum of Art, the Miami City Ballet, and a constellation of stylish bars and restaurants. Just two blocks up, along the Collins Canal, sits The Gates Hotel South Beach—a staycation spot that pairs artful sophistication with laid-back coastal living.
A weekend here feels like slipping into an inviting hideaway where Miami’s creative pulse meets its love of leisure. Stepping into the midcentury-modern lobby, there’s a breeziness to the scene. Sculptural blocks and a grand staircase anchor the space. Outside, the pool deck stretches toward the canal, lined with double-sided cabanas that make a convincing case for staying put with an Aperol spritz instead of chasing the beach crowds.
Art is the hotel’s quiet signature. Along guestroom corridors and inside each suite, striking aerial photographs by Jorge de la Torriente frame the Miami coastline from above. The images, part of his “Aerial Beach” series, blur the line between painting and photography, lending a meditative calm to the rooms.
In the lobby, the One Love Digital Art Gallery surprises with rotating exhibitions from global creators. The space doubles as a social hub, with programming that ranges from AI-art workshops to wellness events timed to cultural moments like Formula 1 or Miami Art Week. It’s a refreshingly modern counterpoint to the building’s storied past: once the 1954 Motel Ankara, later a lively hostel, and now a polished boutique hotel.
For a local staycation, the pleasures are layered. Start with yoga on the pool terrace, then slip into a chaise for a morning of reading or sketching. When the sun warms the canal, paddleboards await, or take the hotel’s cheerful tuk-tuk to your reserved beach chairs. The afternoon may call for a spa appointment—K’Alma Spa offers in-room treatments or massages on the third-floor deck, where the breeze feels custom-designed for relaxation.
Evenings center on TAMBO, the hotel’s lively Latin-fusion restaurant, where ceviche, handmade empanadas and citrusy cocktails are best shared with friends. After dinner, wander back to the lobby bar for a final toast, or join a “sip and paint” session if you’re inspired to match the property’s creative spirit. Guest rooms continue the narrative, pairing art deco flourishes with a serene palette of neutrals and ocean blues. Many include terraces overlooking the Collins Canal or city skyline. Practical touches—a microwave, refrigerator and ample closet space—remind you that comfort hasn’t been sacrificed for style.
Sustainability is woven into the stay. As a participant in Miami-Dade’s Plastic-Free 305 program, the hotel has eliminated single-use plastics and added refillable water stations, a nod to eco-conscious travelers who also crave good design.
By Sunday afternoon, packing up feels a little premature. Between the curated art, thoughtful amenities, and a sense of Miami heritage reborn, The Gates delivers something many staycations miss: the chance to see your hometown with fresh eyes.
One of my favorite things about Miami is how each neighborhood carries its own flavor and flair. Nowhere is this more true than on Miami Beach, where the colorful energy of South Beach gives way to the glamorous, Riviera-style stretch of Mid-Beach before settling into the easy, barefoot rhythm of North Beach. Nestled between them is the Collins Park neighborhood, anchored by its namesake green space, the Bass Museum of Art, the Miami City Ballet, and a constellation of stylish bars and restaurants. Just two blocks up, along the Collins Canal, sits The Gates Hotel South Beach—a staycation spot that pairs artful sophistication with laid-back coastal living.
A weekend here feels like slipping into an inviting hideaway where Miami’s creative pulse meets its love of leisure. Stepping into the midcentury-modern lobby, there’s a breeziness to the scene. Sculptural blocks and a grand staircase anchor the space. Outside, the pool deck stretches toward the canal, lined with double-sided cabanas that make a convincing case for staying put with an Aperol spritz instead of chasing the beach crowds.
Art is the hotel’s quiet signature. Along guestroom corridors and inside each suite, striking aerial photographs by Jorge de la Torriente frame the Miami coastline from above. The images, part of his “Aerial Beach” series, blur the line between painting and photography, lending a meditative calm to the rooms.
In the lobby, the One Love Digital Art Gallery surprises with rotating exhibitions from global creators. The space doubles as a social hub, with programming that ranges from AI-art workshops to wellness events timed to cultural moments like Formula 1 or Miami Art Week. It’s a refreshingly modern counterpoint to the building’s storied past: once the 1954 Motel Ankara, later a lively hostel, and now a polished boutique hotel.
For a local staycation, the pleasures are layered. Start with yoga on the pool terrace, then slip into a chaise for a morning of reading or sketching. When the sun warms the canal, paddleboards await, or take the hotel’s cheerful tuk-tuk to your reserved beach chairs. The afternoon may call for a spa appointment—K’Alma Spa offers in-room treatments or massages on the third-floor deck, where the breeze feels custom-designed for relaxation.
Evenings center on TAMBO, the hotel’s lively Latin-fusion restaurant, where ceviche, handmade empanadas and citrusy cocktails are best shared with friends. After dinner, wander back to the lobby bar for a final toast, or join a “sip and paint” session if you’re inspired to match the property’s creative spirit. Guest rooms continue the narrative, pairing art deco flourishes with a serene palette of neutrals and ocean blues. Many include terraces overlooking the Collins Canal or city skyline. Practical touches—a microwave, refrigerator and ample closet space—remind you that comfort hasn’t been sacrificed for style.
Sustainability is woven into the stay. As a participant in Miami-Dade’s Plastic-Free 305 program, the hotel has eliminated single-use plastics and added refillable water stations, a nod to eco-conscious travelers who also crave good design.
By Sunday afternoon, packing up feels a little premature. Between the curated art, thoughtful amenities, and a sense of Miami heritage reborn, The Gates delivers something many staycations miss: the chance to see your hometown with fresh eyes.
