MY 7 FAVORITE MIAMI HOTELS FOR FASHION PHOTO SHOOTS
After working in Miami as a fashion photographer, videographer and creative director for almost 10 years, I have done photoshoots at many hotels and discovered a few real gems that I’d like to share with you. Not only are these properties a feast for the eyes, the staff are friendly and accommodating to photographers. These are just my personal picks, no one paid me to write this.
Vintage Italian Style
I felt like I was in 1950s Italy when I first shot in the pool area of the Nautilus hotel. And when we moved to the hotel’s part of the beach with its cute concession stands and blue and white striped umbrellas I was in photographers’ heaven. The interior is darker but with lots of interesting nooks and crannies too.
Great Gatsby Style
The National breathes old glamour. This is one of the few hotels in Miami that still have a ton of original features but doesn’t look outdated. I especially love the 205-foot long iconic, palm tree-lined swimming pool – it’s one of the most photogenic in Miami. Other favorite areas to shoot are the indoor restaurant and the bar – lots of dark wood, brushed brass, and large photographs of the likes of David Bowie, Grace Kelly, and Marilyn Monroe on the walls.
The National Hotel’s beach area is probably the only one in Miami with muted colors – the daybeds and umbrellas are mustard yellow, white and brown.
Modern tropical chic
The W always feels hip and laid-back. The outdoor area around the pool is a labyrinth of narrow coral rock pathways and corners with quaint chairs lined with banana palms and bougainvillea. I love the outdoor bar – it’s great for photographing swimsuits and resort wear, with a tropical cocktail in hand. The pool is massive which gives photographers plenty of working space.
Photo Credit: Matthew Taylor-Ross
Art Deco Paradise
A haven of pinks and pastel blues, this meticulously designed hotel transports you back to the height of Miami’s art deco era. I love the massive pool lined with striped cabanas on one side, and the Strawberry moon bar on the other. The library is a gem too filled with pink velvet chairs and rattan cockatoo lamps. Everywhere you look there are little quirky details. Even the lobby has instagrammable corners, like the jungle wallpaper on one end – and white cast iron chairs just outside. Pharell Williams partly owns the place and in the weekends the hotel turns into a party scene so it’s best to plan your shoot Mon-Thur.
Tropical Haven
Styled like a Carribbean island resort, The Palms is on Travel+Leisure World’s Best Hotels 2023 list and is one of the planet’s most sustainable hotels according to Beyond Green. You will love the white painted wooden outdoor terraces that look out over the lush tropical grounds. The lobby is all palm trees and rattan ceiling fans, but the pool area surprises with its bold turquoise theme, which extends onto the beach with same-colored daybeds and umbrellas. Some of my favorite spots include a white gazebo in one of the garden areas, a small old-style ice cream stand and the thatched-roof circular pool bar with turquoise highchairs.
Vintage Mediterranean Chic
I just love the bird’s eye view of the Cadillac’s garden with its neutral-toned cabanas, palm trees and art-deco pool. This property was beautifully updated several years ago while maintaining lots of original features. The interior is bright with its original light terrazzo floors, columns, and oversized palms. Outside I love the beach bar with chairs and tables of faded wood, bamboo, and neutral canvas.
Andalusian Finca Style
Located on Espanola Way, one of Miami Beach’s most picturesque streets, the Esme boutique hotel is right at home here. With its white-washed walls, red tile roofs and bougainvillea it has the look of a Spanish finca. The ground floor has a myriad of alleyways with quaint nooks & crannies and upstairs there is a small but pretty, soft pink striped cabanas-lined pool. You really need to discover the property yourself to get a feel for the possibilities on shoot locations because there are so many. My favorite is the outdoor rooftop bar & restaurant. Go see!
All photos are mine, except for the pool image of The Goodtime Hotel
IF YOU FOUND THIS HELPFUL…
And you missed my last newsletter on my top 10 locations in Miami to shoot (that are not in hotels), you can access it on my blog here.