Parked beside the Delano on Collins Avenue, the National is one of the Art Deco classic hotels in Miami and certainly looks the part with a stunning 205-foot ‘infinity’ pool and its own furniture on the beach; and it talks the talk with a French restaurant, a lobby cocktail bar called ‘D’ Lounge’ and a poolside bar called ‘Zee pool Lounge’. These names may sound German when read aloud, but nevertheless ze National is making an effort to fit in.

Whatever the hotel’s accent, Miami locals judge hotels by their lobby and the National’s stark hallway has been found wanting by the in-crowd, which means D’ Lounge is only occupied by residents. Apart from the three-storey penthouse suite, the rooms here are bland and badly upholstered; but the good news is that the National has 32 ultra-modern poolside cabanas that feature flat-screen TVs, European linen and feather pillows. The hotel is well-equipped for functions of all kinds, and attracts a mixed crowd of businessmen and large groups of friends who have come to live it large on D’ beach.

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