Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel, an IHG Hotel

HOTEL OVERVIEW

You know what hits you first at the Kimpton Surfcomber? It’s not the retro-chic lobby or the pastel color scheme everyone raves about – it’s actually how they’ve managed to capture that classic Miami Beach vibe without feeling like a theme park version of it. I mean, this is Collins Avenue we’re talking about, where half the hotels are either trying too hard or not trying at all, but the Surfcomber sits right in that sweet spot where you feel like you’re part of the scene, not just watching it from your hotel window.

The location is honestly perfect if you want to be in the thick of things without dealing with the chaos of South Beach proper. You’re literally a two-minute walk to the sand – and I’m talking about the good stretch of beach, not some narrow strip where you’re fighting for space. Lincoln Road’s shopping and restaurants are close enough that you’ll probably end up there for dinner, but you’re far enough from the Spring Break madness that you can actually sleep at night. The rooms have this boutique hotel feel that Kimpton does so well, though honestly, some of the bathrooms are a bit snug (especially if you’re traveling with someone who takes forever to get ready). What I really appreciate is how they’ve kept the Art Deco bones of the building while making everything feel fresh – the pool area especially has this great energy during the day, and the staff seems to actually know the neighborhood when you ask for recommendations.

Here’s the thing about staying here – it’s not going to be the most luxurious experience of your life, and the 7.6 rating kind of reflects that reality. Sometimes the elevators are slow, the wifi can be spotty in certain rooms, and if you’re on the lower floors facing Collins, you’ll hear some street noise. But what you get is something more valuable in Miami Beach: authenticity without pretension. The crowd is usually a good mix of people who know the area and aren’t just here for the Instagram shots. Parking will cost you (this is Miami Beach, after all), but at least they have valet service, and the front desk staff has always been solid in my experience – they’ll actually call around to get you dinner reservations instead of just handing you a generic list. If you’re looking for that classic Miami Beach hotel experience where you can walk to everything that matters and feel like you’re staying somewhere with actual personality, the Surfcomber delivers on that promise.