A Courtyard Retreat in a Residential Pocket
Maison Felix sits on a residential block in North Beach, screened from the street by tropical palms and greenery. The 29-room property occupies a building from 1948, renovated over three years to preserve original stucco walls and Spanish tile roofing while adding a pale blue courtyard pool at its center.
The project came from Felix Cohen, who runs a fashion boutique in Miami, working with Namron Hospitality, a group known for properties in Tulum. The aim was to create something calmer and more neighborhood-focused than the high-octane energy found further south along the coast.
Guest rooms and suites wrap around the pool courtyard. Sun loungers sit under leafy cover, and the space draws occasional wildlife: small green iguanas, red-chested anole lizards, and dragonflies hovering over the water.
Rooms Built for Color and Texture
The hotel leans into warm tones and organic forms. Interiors feature burnt orange, terracotta, and ocean blue, with textured finishes and Mexican design influences throughout. Furniture includes cream bouclé sofas, pebble-shaped pendant lights, handmade cushions, and curvy mirrors. Beds are generous in size.
Bathrooms continue the playful approach, with terrazzo floors, walk-in showers, and bright tangerine double basins. Artwork by Mark Cherry adds splashes of color to the walls.
The Grand Luxe Suites offer separate living areas with direct pool terrace access. However, these rooms present a tradeoff: windows face the courtyard, and the bedroom lacks privacy curtains. Guests can choose blackout blinds for complete darkness or leave them open, which exposes the interior to anyone passing the pool. The living space does include privacy curtains.
Minibars stock cold matcha oat lattes, coconut water, popcorn, Haribo, and peanut M&Ms. Nespresso machines are standard, though the paper cups feel like a design misstep. One practical note: road noise from outside can be noticeable.
Food and Drink Limitations
Breakfast is straightforward and served in a small room near reception. Expect pastries, yoghurt, muesli, fresh fruit, jams, Nutella, and hot or iced coffee. It covers the basics but won't impress dedicated breakfast enthusiasts.
The property has no restaurant, and aside from afternoon ice lollies by the pool, food options are limited. For a hotel centered around a pool courtyard in Miami, the absence of poolside dining feels like a gap. A simple menu of burgers, salads, or sandwiches would fill an obvious need.
Collins Avenue runs nearby and offers plenty of alternatives. Sushi Bichi serves sashimi platters, black cod, and chicken karaage sandos. Ceviches Peru Beach provides fresh Peruvian dishes. Food delivery to the hotel is also an option.
Buenos Aires Bakery & Cafe, a short walk away, caters to the area's large Argentine community with medialunas stuffed with egg, cheese, and bacon alongside café con leche. Further afield, Enriqueta's Sandwich Shop near Wynwood delivers oversized guava juices and Cuban sandwiches.
Maison Felix does not currently hold a liquor license, so no cocktails are available poolside. Staff will bring iced coffee, juice, or tea, and chilled water is available throughout the day.
A Neighborhood Built for Slowing Down
The pool operates around the clock and serves as the main draw. Guests can also claim two loungers and a parasol at Ocean Terrace Public Beach, a seven-minute walk from the property. It is a public beach, so bring your own towel and expect no food or drink service there.
North Beach offers a different rhythm compared to South Beach or Wynwood. The neighborhood moves more slowly, with casual cafés, seafood restaurants, and low-key bars along Collins Avenue. North Shore Open Space Park provides a palm-lined waterfront walk.
The area suits travelers interested in coffee runs, midday swims, and sunset strolls rather than late-night club scenes. South Beach and Wynwood remain accessible by rideshare for those seeking louder energy.
Two ground-floor rooms are accessible. The hotel welcomes dogs, so well-groomed four-legged guests are common. The crowd skews young, design-conscious, and social media-oriented.
A Borrowed-Home Feel
Maison Felix delivers a residential experience in a part of Miami that feels less like a tourist zone. The property works best for travelers who prefer a local neighborhood base over being in the center of nightlife action. Doubles start from around 112 British pounds per night.
