The Goodtime Hotel
"Why book? Simply put, to have a good time. Pharrell’s South Beach hotel is a place to party, people watch, and dine on some surprisingly delicious food—with the beach and some of Miami’s best restaurants and bars steps away. Set the scene: The Goodtime Hotel found its home in South Beach, two blocks west of Ocean Drive. With its corrugated facade and bounty of pastel colors, florals, and palm tree prints, it fits right in with Miami Beach’s Art Deco aesthetic, but adds a fresh vibe (and a touch of Beverly Hills glam). Think millennial pink alongside the peachier hues found on nearby buildings, tons of wallpapered and tiled backdrops begging to be Instagrammed, music playing throughout (though, surprisingly, no Pharrell tracks on the playlist), and a Wes Anderson-inspired library/co-working space. Guests enter by way of a towering, plant-filled atrium off Washington Avenue. Throughout the 266-room property, lots of young, cool creatives mill about, alternating between tapping away on laptops and lounging on daybeds by the pool. On weekends, there’s a line out the door of locals and visitors eager to attend Las Vegas-style pool parties on the near-football-field-sized deck. Hosted by local DJs and bigger names like Steve Aoki, these parties center around two lengthy pools split by a runway lined with sculptural mint green palm fronds. Throughout the hotel, guests are dressed to make a splash—from banana leaf printed ensembles to mesh jumpsuits, there’s no shortage of statement looks here. The backstory: Developed by musician Pharrell Williams and his business partner and Miami hospitality magnate David Grutman, The Goodtime opened in April 2021, ahead of what looked like a hopeful and communal summer. Grutman, the man behind LIV, arguably Miami’s most popular club, Komodo, and more, says it's meant to be “a getaway within a town that’s already known as a vacation spot,” at a more accessible price point than most of Miami’s other see-and-be-seen properties. The rooms: They’re small—a place to crash your head at the end of the night, but not the main event. However, like the rest of the hotel, they’re well designed, following suit with a green and pink palette, retro touches like pink rotary phones to call down to the front desk or make a dinner reservation, and custom curtains featuring sketches of faces drawn by the hotel’s designer Ken Fulk. The beds are comfortable, and you’ll find Nespresso machines and Ortigia Italian soaps in the bathroom. Opt for a king suite or double queen room for the most space. Food and drink: A meal at Strawberry Moon—named for the first full moon of summer, known for its rosy glow—should absolutely be on your agenda while visiting. Situated on the open-air Goodtime floor just beside the pool, there’s plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, with pinstriped teal and white couches, pink banquette tables and matching wicker chairs, palm-frond printed pillows, and lots of greenery. Both the brunch and dinner menus lean Mediterranean, with dishes like Turkish pides, kebabs, and swordfish shawarma. Don’t skip the baklava ice cream sandwich or the cocktails—Pharrell himself recommends the violet-colored Purple Reign. The neighborhood/area: The beach is a major draw—while not right up against the water, it’s a five minute walk to the sand, just past an open-to-pedestrians stretch of Ocean Drive, where you can grab a drink or meal from any number of restaurants and bars, stroll past the Versace mansion, and take in the quirky Art Deco district architecture after a day by the water. Also in walking distance: Miami favorites like Joe’s Stone Crab, La Ventana, and Prime 112. It’s a short drive up to Miami Beach, and across the MacArthur Causeway, you’ll find downtown Miami and Little Havana, with Wynwood a short ways north. If you’re looking to visit carless, it’s easy (and inexpensive) to call a ride share to take you wherever you need to go. The service: Present, but not at all overbearing. I received a handful of texts throughout my stay that sounded like a friend checking in on you to make sure you’re enjoying your visit. Casual, cool, and informative, notifying us of things like maintenance being done on windows, or brunch that was about to start. Other perks on offer: a row of beach cruisers to pedal around on (each guest gets two hours free, after that, you can rent them like you would a CitiBike), beach towels and lounge chairs free of charge, which can be picked up on the sand, and yoga classes throughout the week held at the outside, Venice Beach-esque astroturf gym. Eco effort: You’ll find boxed water in the room upon arrival, and a Nespresso machine with reusable cups rather than on-the-go style containers. Accessibility: The hotel is ADA compliant, with both queen and king rooms offering an accessible shower or hearing accessibility. Anything left to mention? If you’re looking for a place to be pampered, or something all-inclusive, this isn’t the spot to go. But for young and energetic visitors looking for a playful, whimsical, and endlessly photographable home base from which to soak in Miami, meet new people without leaving the property—weekend afternoons at the pool are most definitely a scene—and have access to shared co-working space that’s far more aesthetically pleasing than a mega-hotel’s business center, The Goodtime Hotel fits the bill at an affordable price." - Madison Flager
