On my recent trip to Miami, I had the pleasure of staying at the Sense Beach House in South Beach. Located on Ocean Drive, the property was in the heart of the South of Fifth district (SoFi). We were steps away from Miami’s best shopping, dining, nightlife and, most importantly, the beach! As I continue to travel more throughout the years, I am learning I truly enjoy my experiences at boutique hotels. While the larger, corporate-branded properties can be consistent and dependable, they tend to lack any flavor or soul. A boutique hotel like the Sense Beach House is a great example. Immediately upon entering, I almost didn’t feel like I was in a hotel! The décor and overall design of the property made me feel as though I just stepped into an adorable beach cottage or villa. The detail, from the wall decorations to the striped painted walls to the overall color scheme, offered a strong sense of comfort. Oftentimes I find typical hotel décor can become very standard, basic and even dull. When you are on a leisure trip, I think it is important to stay at a property that makes you feel comfortable and incorporates the atmosphere of the city or place itself. While staying at the Sense, the hotel vibe aligned well with the overall atmosphere of South Beach. I felt relaxed and in beach mode! I think boutique hotels have an advantage in being more inviting than your typical hotel property. I definitely am finding myself becoming more interested in what the boutiques have to offer in all the cities I visit. — Olivia Falcione, advertising manager