Fans of Art Deco architecture (found throughout South Beach) can still appreciate the Marlin Hotel's intricate 1939 facade in sorbet colors. Inside, there are still some Art Deco touches, such as the lobby's terrazzo floors and the occasional geometric element worked into the design, but most of the three-story boutique -- which was renovated in 2016 -- is thoroughly contemporary. After a management change, the hotel ditched its famous on-site recording studio in favor of nine extra rooms. (The South Beach Studio once cut tracks for artists like Bob Marley, Beyoncé, and Pharrell, but memorabilia from the legacy remains only as decoration.) The lobby also got a makeover, with a small lounge area and an informal dark wood table serving as the front desk. It's partitioned from the bar, and a full Italian restaurant was also added down the hall. 

The Marlin Hotel is tucked away on a quieter strip of Collins Avenue, walking distance to shops and restaurants, just one block from the scene on Ocean Drive. There's no direct beach access, so guests will have to walk two blocks to the white sands of South Beach. Flamingo Park, The Wolfsonian, the Art Deco Museum, and Miami Beach Cinematheque are also within walking distance, while the Miami Beach Convention Center is a three-minute drive away. Lincoln Road Mall is a solid 15-minute walk from the front door of the hotel. Expect about a 27-minute drive to  Miami International Airport.

Half the hotel's 33 rooms face the street, while the other half face the wall of the building on its north side. All have wood flooring with contemporary furnishings, framed coral and other coastal artwork, and sun-bleached color palettes. High-tech amenities include like big 55-inch flat-screen TVs (some embedded in the walls) and iPads for controlling just about everything in the room, from the lights to the music to the curtains. Free Wi-Fi also comes standard, as do Nespresso machines and mini-fridges. Studios have queen-size or king-size beds, and work desks stocked with a selection of Taschen books. Upgraded studios have king-size beds and queen-size sofa beds. The bathrooms have big walk-in rainfall showers, some with bench seats. Corner Suites have king-size beds and add soaking tubs, while the larger Marlin Suite has a big living area with a queen sofa bed. 

The hotel's newest addition is Osteria del Teatro, an eatery that serves Northern Italian Cuisine with an emphasis on seafood and homemade pasta (like a roasted veal ravioli dish, served with crispy pancetta in a brown butter sage sauce). There's also a stylish bar with craft cocktails and an extensive wine list. Free continental breakfast is included. Valet parking is available for a fee, and small pets are allowed for an extra charge.