Modern luxury: How A Miami Airbnb Condo Exceeded Expectations
On a recent trip, I stayed with friends in a Miami Airbnb
To this point, I have not stayed in many Airbnb properties; when I have traveled in the past couple of years, my accommodations mostly consisted of typical chain hotels. It’s not that I shy away from new experiences. Quite the opposite. Most of my overnight trips lately have been purely functional, not recreational.
That’s why when I heard we secured an Airbnb condo on the upper level of a Miami high rise, the trip seemed even more exciting! Our condo provided us with a bird’s eye view of Biscayne Bay, Fisher Island, and several Key islands. We could also see South Beach as well as downtown Miami from our vantage point. Let me tell you, it’s awesome when your Airbnb rental has a 180-degree view of the city!
Our luxury Miami Airbnb condo suite
Our Miami Airbnb included a master suite with bath, a secondary bedroom with bath, a well-appointed kitchen, dining area and living room. There was also a substantial deck that looked down upon the pool area thirty floors below. The owners clearly considered presentation when appointing the condo. After all, very wall surface was painted white, which photographs well for online listings. In a bold move, they furnished the living area with a white leather modern sofa, both photogenic and comfortable. The television featured prominently on one wall, although we never turned it on.
A dedicated “photo” wall had a neon “Miami” sign which made for fun, kitschy photos. Also, the dining area was furnished with a glass table and seating for six people. A fabulous statement chandelier provided adequate lighting as well as a sense of urban glamour.
Shameless plug alert! I’m happy to announce that Gate City Design is now working on staging and design packages for owners and managers of Airbnb and other short-term rental properties! More to come on the website in the very near future!
The gourmet kitchen
One aspect that I appreciated was the well-appointed kitchen. The coffee maker, of course, was an essential part of the morning routine, and coffee condiments were already there for us. Large mugs–definitely a plus!
I never used the gourmet-grade cooking surface, but if I had, the meal most definitely would have been amazing! (Just kidding, I don’t like to cook on vacation). I also noticed stylish cooking pans and tools, which would have been appreciated by anyone who wanted to cook on vacation. However, I was most impressed that the refrigerator gave us enough room for all of our wine! Definitely a must-have in an elevated Miami Airbnb property.
Spacious and cozy bedrooms
So, wow…the mattresses and linens rocked! The mattress was super supportive and soft, and I slept like a baby both nights. Our sheets felt like they had a high thread count, and the owners opted for white linens. From a maintenance perspective, white linens can be bleached, so this seemed to be a wise choice for cleanliness. There were also some wooden hangers for our clothes, and a steam iron.
The reading lamps on the bedside tables could be adjusted, which I appreciated since I read before bed. Bedside tables on both sides of the bed gave adequate room for phone charging.
Bathrooms
The owners offered dark-colored microfiber cloths for make-up removal, which were presented in a basket beside the sink. Hand soap, shampoo and conditioner were available in a refillable dispenser, which we appreciated as renters. Fluffy taupe towels awaited our exit from the shower. As a consumer, I appreciated having enough towels to wrap myself and my hair after showering.
Since air travelers are limited in how much liquid product they can carry onto a plane, Airbnb hosts and property managers should always consider providing soap, shampoo, and conditioner. Also, provide a hair dryer for guests to use, in case they neglect to bring their own.
Amenities for Airbnb guests at the condo complex
Our host for the trip checked us into the high-rise facility, which contained a number of residential condos as well as short-term rental units. We obtained access passes to the facility pool area (3 pools and a huge deck!) as well as the workout facility, which I did not use–we had perfect weather for outdoor exercise. We also had access to a parking garage that was included in the rental fee. When possible, amenities that can be included for guests really enhances the short-term rental experience.
Modern, sleek decor
The owners paid attention to every detail of our unit. Modern styling worked well, since we had banks of windows overlooking downtown Miami and the bay. White leather seemed to be a brave choice—while leather is durable and relatively easy to clean, I wondered if sunscreen and self-tanner ever leaves stains. A good option would have also been performance fabric, but the leather showed well in the online photos.
Lighting sources were bright and adjustable for reading, which is desirable in a vacation rental. The dining table had enough seating for the number of guests that would be expected—two bedrooms, six chairs. Beds were comfortable, there was drawer space, and the furnishings all appeared new with a designer look. Artwork also provided focal points and carried the modern style of the condo.
Overall Miami Airbnb impression
I came away from the Airbnb experience very impressed with the care taken to decorate the property and consider the needs of guests. Our building definitely attracted a young, sophisticated clientele, as well as a number of wedding parties. Knowing the typical rental client’s demographics, and taking extra steps to exceed their expectations, seems to be the best strategy for maximizing a unit’s occupancy rate.
Gate City Design offers special packages for Airbnb owners and property managers! Make sure your rental unit exceeds the expectations of your target clientele by scheduling a short-term rental staging session. No time for decorating or staging? We can strategize the decor and implement it for you! Give us a call—the initial no-obligation discovery call is complimentary!
Hillary McAlhany is the owner of Gate City Design. She is a certified professional home stager/redesigner, E-designer & color expert. Although she is based in North Carolina, she offers remote design services outside of the central North Carolina region.
