By: Mary Jo Almeida-Shore
One of the best parts about staying in town for the summer, as the social season slows down, is that we get to experience what it’s like to vacation in paradise, without leaving home. Just last week we got the chance to “stay-cation” at the Sense Beach House which felt like our very own beach house. Possibly Miami Beach’s closest interpretation of a “bed and breakfast,” this 18- room luxury boutique hotel offers a casually sophisticated atmosphere, just steps from the ocean, and a personalized guest experience that feels more like a private Hamptons retreat than a hotel on Ocean Drive. Furnished exactly in the manner in which we would decorate our own beach house- in shades of blue and white with natural sea glass and bleached wood, the boutique hotel utilizes natural light to create a casual, beach chic ambiance while still offering the most up-to-date, modern amenities.
Sense Beach House is located in the posh South of Fifth neighborhood of South Beach (SoFi), walking distance to top restaurants and the most beautiful park in Miami, South Point Park. Because the cozy hotel is small, and the expert staff is friendly and welcoming, you are treated as a VIP from the time of arrival until you depart. The beautiful guest rooms offer upscale amenities and luxuries providing a serene place to relax and escape. But be warned: the beds are so comfortable- you may find it impossible to get up to explore the neighboring beach life.
Of the many features that we loved about the Sense Beach House, from the game room, to the gorgeous rooftop pool and garden, our favorite was the hotel’s restaurant, appropriately named, The Local House. This is a place where we could breakfast-lunch-dinner every day, and dining there just strengthened our desire to actually move in to the Sense Beach House. The stylish décor of the dining room matches that of the hotel. The food is exquisitely prepared, utilizing fresh ingredients that perfectly complement one another. Each generously-portioned main course is accompanied by a delicious side, such as the seared scallops, which come with the most delectable couscous, combined with Kalamata olives- a dish we were craving the next day. Other musts are the crab cakes, burger, goat cheese croquettes drenched in creamy guava sauce and the grilled Florida grouper sandwich, with a spicy aioli- one of the best fish sandwiches we’ve ever tasted.
Fortunately, The Local House is open seven days a week, serving up sweet and savory treats for brunch, lunch and dinner. Breakfast and Brunch are served from 8:00 to 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekends. Dinner is on the menu from 5:00 to 10:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 11:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
