Casa Claridge’s is a characterful boutique hotel with a bohemian, arty vibe. It’s luxurious, though, so provides a good alternative to the high-profile five-stars lined up along Miami Beach (there’s the Edition, the Thompson, the SLS and the W, among others). With design books and artwork throughout, the hotel particularly appeals to people in the creative industry. The elevator, for example, is an“ascending art gallery” with rotating installations that change seasonally.

On Collins Avenue, the long northsouth road that runs all the way down Miami Beach. It is located on the other side of the road from the actual beach, but a short walk across the road brings you to the boardwalk. It is about a 20-minute drive from Miami International.

The 50 bedrooms are available in six categories – Casa Queen, King, Double Double, Oceanfront California King, Queen Suite and King Studio. The interior design has a warm Mediterranean look with terracotta tiled floors, coral curtains, handcarved furniture and white walls. Amenities that come standard include smooth Frette linens, writing desks with data ports, free WiFi, HD flatscreen TVs with satellite channels, iPod docks, safes, minibars and CO Bigelow bathing products. I was staying in a Queen Suite on the ground floor, which included a comfortable living room. King Studio rooms are on the top floor and offer direct access to the roof terrace. Room service is available 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM. I went for the Casa breakfast sandwich with a fried egg, smoked tomato jam, sliced avocado and roast potatoes ($11). The quality of the food and presentation was great.

In the evening I stopped for a nightcap – the bar has a nice selection of craft beers including Florida’s Hotter than Helles and Pennsylvania’s Dirt Wolf Double. Happy hour is 4:00 to 7:00 PM.