I've Lived in Miami for 20 Years, and This New Hotel in Brickell Is One of My Favorite Stays

I moved to Miami more than 20 years ago, and during my very first visit, I immediately fell in love with the city’s wild, unrestrained energy. I watched as new hotels and restaurants popped up and as established neighborhoods shed old identities and embraced new ones; to live here is to witness the city's constant evolution. But perhaps nowhere is that spirit of change more obvious than in Magic City's Brickell neighborhood. Over the past 10 years, it's slowly transformed from an all-business financial district into a retail and culinary destination.

One of Brickell's latest developments is the Dua Miami, Autograph Collection, formerly known as the SLS Brickell. In October 2023, one of the largest business conglomerates in Albania, the Kastrati Group, purchased the property from JLL Hotels & Hospitality. It's Kastrati's first U.S. venture, and the hotel’s new name, "Dua," means "to want" or "to love" in Albanian.

Much of the hotel's current furnishings are holdovers from its time as the SLS Brickell, but Dua Miami general manager Leslie Weil says ownership is planning several upgrades in the coming year. But one thing that won’t change anytime soon is its iconic kaleidoscopic exterior, created by German-born artist Markus Linnenbrink.

Located just minutes from downtown in the heart of Brickell, Dua Miami occupies the first nine floors of the buildings it's located in (the rest is residential). Inside, guests will find themselves immersed in interior design that pays tribute to the city's eclectic art scene, with sculptures, paintings, and photographs scattered throughout the space. The guest rooms, dreamed up by avant-garde French designer Philippe Starck, reflect his signature minimalist, yet playful style.

Curious about what the property was like after the Dua Miami takeover, I spent a few days checking it out. During my stay, I relished quiet mornings on my ninth-story balcony and feasted on grilled seafood at the hotel’s sleek new restaurant, Ahu | Mar. It was too rainy to hang poolside during my time at the hotel, so I hit the gym instead, enjoying stunning views of the city's skyline during my workout. The Dua Miami has everything you need to keep busy on-site, with a spa, poolside parties, and a bustling cocktail hour. But, if you'd like to explore, the hotel's convenient location makes it easy to get around Brickell or travel to nearby neighborhoods like South Beach and Wynwood.

If you’re considering a stay at Dua Miami, here’s everything you need to know about this artsy hotel in the heart of Magic City.

Dua Miami

• Seven of the nine types of guest rooms at Dua Miami have private balconies with skyline views.

• The rooftop features two show-stopping infinity pools that overlook the city.

• Dua Miami is within walking distance of Brickell’s best attractions, such as the Brickell City Centre, a popular place to shop and dine.

• The guest rooms have a fun, artsy flair, thanks to interior design by Philippe Starck.

• Travelers can skip the long lines and cover charges at Miami’s nightclubs and live it up at the hotel's nightly DJ sets and weekend pool parties.

The Rooms

With 124 guest rooms across eight floors, Dua Miami has the vibe of a boutique hotel, but the expansive pool deck and private balconies make the property feel much bigger. There are nine guest room categories ranging from the 300-square-foot superior double rooms (which offer a double bed and a small workspace) to the roomy 1,800-square-foot presidential suite, with two bedrooms, a wraparound balcony, as well as a separate dining and living area.

Wiel describes Dua Miami as “dynamic, evocative, and indulgent,” and the hotel is certainly evocative. Large mirrors, black-and-red carpets, and striped hallways all work in symphony to create a distinctly “Alice and Wonderland” ambiance.

During my stay, I spent the weekend in a 450-square-foot deluxe king balcony room. Upon entering, I was greeted by artsy, pastel pink walls embellished with (intentionally) uneven black paint strokes. The flooring was also a work of art: the black carpet was embroidered with white wings, eyes, keys, and bones. There was also a mirrored side table and desk, white lacquer closets, and an oversized abstract painting.

I was surprised to find mirrors above the beds (a playful or naughty touch, depending on your take), and thought the compact all-white tiled bathroom with a standalone shower and single sink was totally sufficient for a solo stay. The design is a little art deco, a little "Miami Vice," and eschews the typical South Floridian hotel decor archetype.

Food and Drink

There are two restaurants at Dua Miami, Ahu | Mar and the Lounge. Ahu | Mar specializes in wood-fired seafood dishes and is helmed by chef Victor Rosada, who also ran SLS Brickell’s Fi’lia. The eatery has an all-day menu with items such as grilled octopus, ribeye steak, as well as lobster and corn ravioli. Diners can choose to take their meals in the warm, contemporary dining room or in the Miami sunshine on the outdoor patio. Breakfast is served here, too — the buttermilk pancakes topped with blueberry compote hits all the right notes.

Night owls should head to the Lounge, a vibrant (but cozy) space located on the hotel's second floor. Happy hour at the Lounge spans from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, with small bites like oysters and ceviche available to order. If you want to live it up, a DJ usually arrives around 10 p.m. and plays well into the wee hours of the morning.

Activities and Experiences

Though it rained during most of my stay, Dua Miami’s main entertainment draw is its Altitude Pool Deck, which has two infinity pools, a cold plunge, and a jacuzzi. Day guests are also able to access the deck with a Resort Pass — prices start at $30 per person, per day. If you work up an appetite during your swim, food and beverage service is available from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

SLS Brickell parties were legendary (think celebrity DJs, smoke machines, and bottle service), and Dua Miami is keeping the fun going. On the weekends, partygoers take over the striped lounge chairs and breezy cabanas while DJs spin records from noon to 5 p.m. But, if you're seeking something more low-key, the hotel schedules weekly poolside puppy yoga, meditation, and sound healing classes.

The Spa

The eighth-floor Dua Spa has six treatment rooms as well as saunas, a steam room, and a relaxation lounge. Services here are inspired by the heavens themselves, and guests can pick from a menu with treatment options such as the rejuvenating "Aurora Borealis" skin treatment or the "Star Gazing" couples' massage, which includes an opportunity to spot constellations with one of the hotel's telescopes post-treatment. I opted for the "North Star" Himalayan salt scrub and felt refreshed after the 50-minute treatment.

Family-friendly Offerings

If you’re traveling with little ones, the hotel has cribs available upon request, but rollaway beds are not permitted in the guest rooms. Families should consider upgrading to the one-bedroom premier king suite (it can accommodate up to three people) if they need the extra space. Alternatively, you could opt for the two-bedroom presidential suite, which can sleep up to five. Both room categories have large bathrooms with soaking tubs as well as separate living and dining rooms.

Accessibility and Sustainability

Three Premier City View rooms are outfitted with accessibility features (such as roll-in showers and visual alarms) for people who are hard of hearing, and two premium city views are able to accommodate wheelchair users and/or those who are hard of hearing. Public spaces at Dua Miami are also easy to access. The lobby and ground-level restaurants are completely level, with no steps. And, if you want to visit Altitude, there are no steps between the hotel entrance and the elevator.

Dua Miami has also adopted a number of sustainability initiatives. In the rooms, visitors will find bulk soap, shampoo, and conditioner. Agave straws and biodegradable to-go containers and utensils are available at all dining outlets. Behind the scenes, Dua Miami is partnered with Clean The World, a company that recycles hotel soaps and plastic bottles.

Location

Once a business-only neighborhood, Brickell is now abuzz with a healthy offering of attractions. Brickell City Center, a retail and dining juggernaut, is just a short 10-minute walk away. If you'd like to catch an outdoor concert, Bayfront Park is about 15 minutes away by car. Kaseya Center, a sports and entertainment area, as well as the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County, are 15-minute drives away, too.

Pro-tip: instead of renting a car (valet services at Dua Miami are $60 per night, and finding parking spaces around town can be challenging and expensive), opt to ride Miami's Metromover, an automated train that loops around downtown — best of all, two stations are located within steps of the hotel. But if you do choose to drive, Dua Miami's central location makes it easy to explore other famous neighborhoods around town — Coral Gables, South Beach, Little Havana, and Wynwood are all about 20 minutes away, depending on traffic.

How to Get the Most Value Out of Your Stay

Dua Miami is part of Marriott's Autograph Collection and participates in Marriott Bonvoy, a rewards program that allows members to earn and redeem points for their stays. The hotel also runs specials, deals, and packages throughout the year, which can include perks like late checkout, restaurant discounts, and deals on extended stays.

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