One of Our Top Picks for Hotels in Miami Is Powered by Kayak

Miami’s hotel landscape is as diverse as the city itself, offering a bewildering array of options for every kind of traveler. For years, the most sought-after accommodations were the minimalist boutique hotels housed in the historic art deco structures along Miami Beach, where guests could enjoy sun-soaked fun and a vibrant nightlife.

However, one of Miami’s latest additions perfectly aligns with the city’s growing reputation as a tech hub for crypto firms and Silicon Valley newcomers, featuring smart controls for room temperature and personalized room keys. This hotel embodies a subtle transition from bustling party venues to tranquil spaces resembling cozy apartment buildings, where the barista might just as easily be a resident.

These two factors make the Kayak Miami Beach hotel one of our top recommendations for stays in Miami.

Indeed, the travel metasearch engine known for finding the best deals on flights, hotels, and rental cars has opened its own hotel in Miami Beach. You can book your stay directly through kayak.com or their app, and it stands apart from the generic chain hotels that frequently appear in Kayak search results.

The hotel was created by Life House Hotels, a brand that values meaningful social interactions through inviting communal spaces, friendly staff, and a relaxed “come as you are” atmosphere. (This property initially opened as a Life House hotel in 2019 before becoming a Kayak property in March 2021.) In this partnership, Kayak manages backend operations such as bookings and property management with its proprietary software, while Life House takes charge of the overall experience, including design, decor, food and beverages, and staffing.

“People often ask me, ‘What is a flight metasearch company like Kayak doing in the hotel industry?’” states Steve Hafner, CEO of Kayak. “The straightforward answer is that we believe our technology can enhance the overall guest experience.” Since Kayak was new to hotel management, it collaborated with Life House to gain industry insights. “Their approach aligns well with our vision for reimagining the hotel experience,” Hafner adds.

Nestled on a serene stretch of Miami’s Park Avenue, just three blocks from the beach along the Collins Canal, the 52-room hotel features a subtle entrance—a black-painted door bordered by two large pots brimming with banana leaf plants. The bright orange Kayak logo is absent, replaced by black block letters that spell Kayak, positioned above the door, next to a plaque that highlights the building’s art deco significance.

Upon entering, you are welcomed by abundant greenery (potted plants are everywhere) alongside an eclectic mix of chairs and low couches adorned with cushions in shades of brown, beige, soft pink, and burnt orange. To the left, communal tables are illuminated by rattan chandeliers; directly ahead, a modest bar is flanked by more greenery. A subtle, alluring Le Labo fragrance fills the air, whisking you away from the bustling Miami Beach streets to a more relaxed ambiance.

Notably, there’s no traditional front desk. Instead, a small marble-topped console to the right of the entrance features two screens embedded in the countertop. Guests can check in themselves by entering their reservation details and scanning their ID before activating their room keys. Staff are on hand to assist, but Kayak assumes its guests are tech-savvy enough to handle check-in independently, ensuring a personal touch amidst the technology.

“Our guests aren’t interested in robots or drones. They seek technology that enhances their experience without being intrusive,” says Indy Adenaw, managing director of Kayak Hotels, who previously contributed to the expansion of Moxy Hotels at Marriott International. “It’s available when needed but remains invisible when it’s not.”

In the guest rooms, a tropical bohemian aesthetic prevails, featuring handwoven tapestries on the walls and, in some suites, a bar cart stocked with small bottles of spirits and mixers, as well as limes and lemons. The beds are perfectly plush, dressed in Revival New York linens, while Le Labo toiletries grace the bathrooms.

The Layla restaurant and bar, located on the ground floor and a small part of the rooftop, provides an intimate dining experience with a focus on Middle Eastern cuisine and delightful cocktails (the Summer Nights rum and watermelon drink is a must-try), all inspired by the story of Persian star-crossed lovers Layla and Majnun. The rooftop features a small pool, perfect for a quick dip without the chaos of a party atmosphere. Despite its compact size, the hotel never feels overcrowded, even at night when locals come for drinks and dinner.

For anything else you might need, simply text a real Kayak hotel employee, not a chatbot. Through text, you can request amenities, change rooms, extend your stay, or ask for local recommendations. Coming in late May, the Kayak mobile app will enable you to unlock your room with your phone. All your trip details can be organized in Kayak Trips, the platform’s trip management service.

Though the hotel’s style might appeal to millennials, Hafner emphasizes that Kayak is targeting a mindset rather than a specific demographic.

“Our goal is to create a more inclusive and welcoming version of Soho House,” Hafner states. “We want a vibrant atmosphere, situated in trendy, walkable neighborhoods; a building of architectural significance; and lively communal areas where guests can connect with one another.”

Kayak and Life House have already launched two additional hotels in Playa del Carmen, Mexico—Kayak Sol and Kayak Luna—with 10 more in the pipeline across North America and Europe. However, Hafner mentions that Kayak plans to collaborate with new partners beyond Life House.

“We’re a company built on partnerships,” he explains. “Consider our core business model. We collaborate with nearly everyone in the travel industry, including operators, hoteliers, airlines, and online travel agencies. We aim to enhance what we believe we can do better, but we will always maintain partnerships with third parties.”