Want a boutique, budget-friendly hotel option in SoFi? Welcome to the Julia Hotel

The Julia Hotel will open its doors next Thursday, Aug. 10, inside a historic two-story 1930s building on Collins Avenue between Third and Fourth streets in South Beach’s South of Fifth neighborhood.

The 29-room, budget-friendly, limited-service hotel at 336 Collins Ave. introduces another attractive option to travelers amidst the neighborhood’s smattering of independent boutique hotels.

The hotel is named for Julia Tuttle, who is largely credited for founding and developing modern day Miami at the turn of the century. Designer Stephen Busto also drew inspiration from the so-called “Mother of Miami.” The lobby features original Cuban tile floors with low-slung, mid-century-style upholstered banquettes and cafe tables. Fun, tongue-in-cheek “dipped” portraits hang from the walls, revealing only half of the painting.

“We wanted it to feel like it might be Julia’s living room, like a Mediterranean garden party,” said a hotel representative during a recent visit.

Rooms take on a minimalist aesthetic with solid oak plank flooring, gray built-in cabinetry for closets, nightstands and headboards and beds that can be converted into two twins or one king with a pleasing pink-coral accent wall.

The Julia owned by SMS Lodging, which has additional properties in Miami and Key West. The concept is similar to the group’s Key West property NYAH where convertible (and surprisingly comfortable) twin beds feature prominently into the no-frills design. It’s one of my favorite budget-friendly hotels on the island.

At The Julia, bathrooms are pleasantly modern with a glass-enclosed rainfall shower, gray tile walls and a porcelain vessel sink with Tara Smith vegan toiletries.

But make no mistake: Quarters are tight, and even the five Ibis Rooms boasting double-height ceilings with paper crane-like installations hanging above the bed by Japanese artist Yumiko Mizutani do little to open up the space.

Still, with current rates on booking sites starting at $86 per night (the hotel is currently advertising 15% off introductory rates of $189 per night using promo code GRAND), you’re getting one of the best deals on the beach inside a clean, new space.

Other features include complementary continental breakfast with French pastries, wine and cheese happy hour, WiFi, beach chairs and a Julia beach tote to carry your belongings the short two-block stroll to the beach.

This story was originally published August 3, 2017 at 12:08 AM.