Miami is filled with hotels known for their nightlife, restaurants and pool party scenes. So how does a new hotel brand break into the scene and stand out? We visited the new b2 miami downtown to find out.
The B Hotels & Resorts brand currently has its flagship property, B Ocean, on Fort Lauderdale beach and is opening a second hotel by the end of this year in the Downtown Disney resort area. The brand’s focus is to place its guests in the center of the action in each city, and that’s what its new sister brand, b2 hotels, is doing with b2 miami downtown.
While the capital “B” hotels will be more luxurious properties, b2 will cater to a mid-range, more budget-conscious market while still maintaining a trendy and social environment: it’s chic, but affordable. b2 miami downtown, which opened in May, is set in an urban location, right on Biscayne Boulevard, with 243 rooms and suites overlooking Biscayne Bay and the city’s skyline. In some of the rooms, guests can see the city in full force, with the cruise ships off in the distance and a video projection of a woman dancing on the side of the InterContinental Miami. While the hotel maintains a boutique-like feel, rooms are spacious but discreetly skip the amenities of a higher end hotel, such as a mini bar, robe and slippers, and blowdryer in the bathroom.
What the hotel lacks in luxury, it makes up for in other areas such as having iPads available to borrow, free WiFi and the new neighborhood restaurant, Biscayne Tavern.
We stopped in for dinner one night after seeing the performance “Slava’s Snowshow” at the nearby Adrienne Arsht Center. The restaurant is reminiscent of a European tavern with wooden tables, a bar with over 30 craft beers, and hearty dishes like braised pork shank and meatloaf with a balsamic tomato glaze. The best part of the experience? The restaurant has a chocolate chip cookie on the menu (Chef Will’s famous chocolate chip cookies) that is absolutely mouth-watering and the perfect way to end a meal.
Biscayne Tavern is also participating in Miami Spice, an event running through Sept. 30, with 3-course meal specials. Dinner is $33 and includes dishes such as housemade potato chips, goat-cheese stuffed dates, pork belly sliders and sesame crusted seared tuna.
The hotel is currently offering the b an executive package, which includes breakfast for one person daily; one cocktail or craft beer on tap daily; three items dry cleaned daily; and a one-way transfer to Miami International Airport. Rates start at $139 per night.
For more on b2 miami downtown, call (888) 66BHotels or visit bhotelsandresorts.com/b2-miami-downtown. For more on B Hotels, see B Hotels & Resorts Expands with Three Properties.
