When I was a child, my yearly trips to Miami with my family were always filled with stories of the glamorous Miami of the past, a place where my grandparents used to take my mother and tío when they were little children. In the tales of my beloved Grandfather I could practically see the old cars and feel the sea breeze blowing through the lobby of a posh art deco hotel. In what I would write off as classic nostalgia, my Grandfather would always insist that “things were better back then.’’
So you can imagine my excitement when, upon entering The National Hotel in Miami Beach, and shyly smiling a thank you to the beyond polite doorman, I realized that I really had been transported to the stylish glamour of my Grandfather’s Miami. Marble floors and rich wood accents gave the lobby a warm and welcoming feel which, with my late night arrival, was exactly what I was looking for. Taking in the scenery as much as my weary eyes would allow, I made my way to the elevator and ascended to my room on the 9th floor.
Upon entering, I was immediately attracted to the large corner windows which offered a breathtaking ocean view. I couldn’t help but stand there agape, staring out at the blue expanse stretching into infinity under the sparkling night sky. What was this magic world I found myself in? Nothing should be this beautiful, I thought to myself.
Opened in 1939, The National Hotel is a true art deco masterpiece. Unlike some hotels that are continuously modernizing to keep up with the times, the National has blown everyone else out of the water by being simultaneously an elegantly modern hotel and an old Miami staple. It’s this effortless combination that assured the hotel its recent spot in the Historic Hotels of America registry. Everything in the hotel, from the chandeliers to the door knobs, is dripping with the stylized class of the 1930s. The attentive staff keeps the aura authentic in their work as well, providing aid for whatever little issue with genuine concern and kindness.
Next day in the bright light of the Miami sun, the true beauty really shone. Walking through the lobby you enter into the restaurant where you can enjoy meals inside or outside on the patio. Although inside is certainly beautiful with black and white tiling and glistening chandeliers, I recommend sitting outside in the shade overlooking the stunning 205 foot infinity pool, the centerpiece of the hotel and the second longest pool in the state of Florida. Dense landscaping provides much needed shade and gives the pool area a mysterious jungle feeling, while bright murals covering the walls have an air of modernity. It’s beyond picturesque.
If pools aren’t your thing, don’t fret, the beach is a short walk away and the hotel offers chairs, umbrellas, and towels. Without intending to, I lost the better part of a day soaking in the sun and listening to that classic medley of beach noises: waves crashing, children giggling, and the occasional jet-ski zipping past. Just add my Grandmother chiding me to put on more sunscreen and I could easily have been back in the Miami Beach of my youth.
When the sun goes down, the National is perfectly located to explore all that South Beach has to offer. A short walk over to Lincoln Road or Ocean Drive will surely result in a fun night out and you won’t have to spend a dime on a taxi.
When it finally came time to leave, I had to work hard to drag myself away from my spectacular view. And walking outside to the taxi the doorman had already hailed for me, I couldn’t help but recall my Grandfather’s stories. The National stands as a testament that maybe he was right … things really were better back then.