Where Miami Slows Down: Inside the Sanctuary of Maison Felix
Maison Felix is a new North Beach boutique hotel offering thoughtful design by Felix Cohen, VIP level service, and a sanctuary-like stay in Miami Beach.
- By: Julianne Elise Beffa I Photos Courtesy of Namron Hospitality
Landing in Miami for Art Basel always feels electric, like the city collectively decides to turn the volume all the way up. The art world floods in, parties spill from rooftops into streets, and every moment feels charged with possibility. This year, though, I knew the week was going to be special for a different reason. I was checking into Maison Felix, the newest boutique hotel in North Beach, and from the moment I arrived, it was clear this was not just another place to crash between events. It was an experience.
As I approached the front gate, ocean air clinging to my skin, I heard my name. “Ms. Julianne Beffa?!” the manager called out with a smile as I dragged two suitcases and an overstuffed duffel bag behind me. That single moment set the tone. I was already known. Already expected. Already welcomed.
Instead of a traditional front desk, I was guided into an intimate check-in room and immediately handed a glass of cold water. While an attendant whisked my bags away to my room, the team personally walked me through the property. It felt less like checking into a hotel and more like arriving at a beautifully designed private residence where someone had been waiting for you. The service was warm, intuitive, and refreshingly unpretentious, the kind that makes you feel like a celebrity without ever trying too hard.
The Vibe
That feeling carried through my entire stay. Maison Felix has the rare ability to make luxury feel personal rather than performative. The pool sits at the heart of the property like a quiet jewel, framed by chic furnishings that feel both modern and timeless. My room was massive by Miami boutique hotel standards, thoughtfully laid out, and impossibly comfortable. The bed was soft and oversized, exactly what you crave after long nights bouncing between Art Basel parties. The large TV came fully loaded with Netflix, Hulu, and HBO, which meant I could come back, kick off my heels, and fall asleep to Gossip Girl like it was a sacred ritual.
One of my favorite details was that my room opened directly onto the pool. I loved being able to take a dip and then wander straight back inside without navigating elevators or hallways. One morning, instead of rushing off to the next event, I stayed put. I laid by the pool with a latte and a croissant, reading my book and letting the sun do its thing. For a moment, it felt less like Miami during Art Basel and more like a Mediterranean escape.
The Room
What truly sets Maison Felix apart, though, is how it makes you feel. Being there gave me an overwhelming sense of belonging. The staff greeted me by name every time I stepped outside. Not in a scripted way, but genuinely, like they were happy to see me. This is what a boutique hotel should feel like. Intimate, thoughtful, and human.
Maison Felix is managed by Namron Hospitality, known for its design-forward, soulful approach to boutique hotels, and the property reflects that philosophy beautifully. It is a sanctuary of refined coastal living, where heritage and modernity exist in perfect harmony. Every detail feels intentional. Every moment feels considered.
The Bedroom
At the heart of the property is iconic Miami designer Felix Cohen, the creative spirit behind Maison Felix. Conceived and designed by Cohen, the hotel is a deeply personal project and a reimagining of a 1948 Miami Beach landmark through a contemporary lens. His influence is felt everywhere, from the architecture to the textures, colors, and flow of the space. The result is a seamless dialogue between past and present that feels timeless yet undeniably fresh.
Cohen’s design philosophy favors emotion over excess, and that restraint is what makes the hotel so compelling. Luxury here is never loud. It is felt in the calm of the lush courtyard oasis, in the rhythm of the nearby ocean, and in the quiet intimacy of the space. Maison Felix does not try to impress you. It simply does.
As Cohen puts it,
Maison Felix is more than a space I designed. It is a reflection of who I am. Every detail echoes a life shaped by beauty, precision, and emotion. It is not just a hotel, but an invitation into the world I have spent decades creating.
Staying there, that sentiment feels unmistakably true. You are not just checking into a hotel. You are stepping into someone’s vision.
Maison Felix is not a place you stumble upon. It is spoken about quietly. Shared between friends who value discovery over hype. Infused with the spirit of la dolce vita, it captures the intimacy of a private home elevated by artful design, intuitive service, and the joy of uncovering something special.
The location only adds to its appeal. Set in North Beach, Maison Felix sits in one of Miami’s most exciting emerging neighborhoods. The area is alive with open-air cafes, hidden galleries, and eclectic boutiques, blending Miami’s energy with a sense of authenticity that still feels rare. It is also perfectly positioned near Bal Harbour Shops and Surfside, offering easy access to some of the best shopping, dining, and beaches in the area.
By the end of my stay, Maison Felix had become my anchor during Art Basel. It was where I reset, recharged, and felt genuinely cared for. In a city known for excess, Maison Felix proves that the most powerful luxury is feeling seen, welcomed, and completely at ease. If this is the future of boutique hotels in Miami, I am already counting down to my next stay.
