The Casa Victoria Orchid is a charming, mid-range hotel with 22 rooms located in the heart of Miami Beach’s South Beach district. It's a good location for tourists who prefer to stay away from the party atmosphere of areas like Ocean Drive. Located on a picturesque street of Spanish-style buildings, the hotel is within easy walking distance of the beach, shops, and restaurants. Guest rooms have a chic, natural elegance and are equipped with kitchenettes. And the hotel has enticing freebies: loaner iPads, free bike rentals, breakfast, and some international calls. However, breakfast is limited, and the hotel lacks a pool and gym. There are a few mid-range hotels offering more amenities for marginally higher rates: The nearby Courtyard by Marriott Miami Beach South Beach has an outdoor pool and gym, and Edgewater South Beach is located just across from the beach and includes happy hour rooftop cocktails.
The Casa Victoria Orchid is a charming, mid-range hotel with 22 rooms located in the heart of Miami Beach’s South Beach district. It's a good location for tourists who prefer to stay away from the party atmosphere of areas like Ocean Drive. Located on a picturesque street of Spanish-style buildings, the hotel is within easy walking distance of the beach, shops, and restaurants. Guest rooms have a chic, natural elegance and are equipped with kitchenettes. And the hotel has enticing freebies: loaner iPads, free bike rentals, breakfast, and some international calls. However, breakfast is limited, and the hotel lacks a pool and gym. There are a few mid-range hotels offering more amenities for marginally higher rates: The nearby Courtyard by Marriott Miami Beach South Beach has an outdoor pool and gym, and Edgewater South Beach is located just across from the beach and includes happy hour rooftop cocktails.
For those who want to soak up a little sunshine on a budget, the three-pearl Collins delivers without frills or fanfare. While fresh and well-maintained, this revamped mid-century motel offers few amenities besides clean, simple rooms, an outdoor pool and close proximity to the beach. Free Wi-Fi and self-parking for a reasonable fee are helpful extras, as is access to the large gym across the street. There isn't a huge range of dining options within walking distance, but several Latin-style restaurants nearby are popular with the hotel's many South American guests.
For those who want to soak up a little sunshine on a budget, the three-pearl Collins delivers without frills or fanfare. While fresh and well-maintained, this revamped mid-century motel offers few amenities besides clean, simple rooms, an outdoor pool and close proximity to the beach. Free Wi-Fi and self-parking for a reasonable fee are helpful extras, as is access to the large gym across the street. There isn't a huge range of dining options within walking distance, but several Latin-style restaurants nearby are popular with the hotel's many South American guests.
The 100-room Hotel Breakwater's highlight is its location -- on Ocean Drive, across the street from the most popular area of the beach (however, proximity to Ocean Drive's restaurants and bars can mean noisy nights). The hotel takes up two adjacent towers, one of which is in the former Edison Hotel building. Rooms all feature handsome, modern yet minimal decor -- crisp white bedding with avocado-green throws, sepia-toned photographs, dark patterned carpets, and streamlined furniture. The rooftop lounge (where a Calvin Klein underwear ad was shot) is a popular nighttime spot, and the pool (though small) is sleek, and has views of the ocean.
The 100-room Hotel Breakwater's highlight is its location -- on Ocean Drive, across the street from the most popular area of the beach (however, proximity to Ocean Drive's restaurants and bars can mean noisy nights). The hotel takes up two adjacent towers, one of which is in the former Edison Hotel building. Rooms all feature handsome, modern yet minimal decor -- crisp white bedding with avocado-green throws, sepia-toned photographs, dark patterned carpets, and streamlined furniture. The rooftop lounge (where a Calvin Klein underwear ad was shot) is a popular nighttime spot, and the pool (though small) is sleek, and has views of the ocean.
The Hotel Riu Plaza Miami Beach operates much like a mid-century Miami resort in its heyday: An expansive pool deck for dedicated sun worshippers, plenty of fried food at every meal and, at the center of it all, a sprawling, over-decorated lobby designed for hobnobbing. But it's unlikely you'll find any grandmas in mink stoles here today. The Riu caters to a new era of guests, many of them traveling on tour packages from Europe. This moderately priced hotel isn't South Beach chic, but amenities including a separate kiddy pool, easy beach access and available meal plans may make it a convenient option for families.
The Hotel Riu Plaza Miami Beach operates much like a mid-century Miami resort in its heyday: An expansive pool deck for dedicated sun worshippers, plenty of fried food at every meal and, at the center of it all, a sprawling, over-decorated lobby designed for hobnobbing. But it's unlikely you'll find any grandmas in mink stoles here today. The Riu caters to a new era of guests, many of them traveling on tour packages from Europe. This moderately priced hotel isn't South Beach chic, but amenities including a separate kiddy pool, easy beach access and available meal plans may make it a convenient option for families.
The Whitelaw Hotel & Lounge is a mid-range hotel with 49 rooms in an Art Deco-style building on central Collins Avenue. It attracts a young crowd who come to South Beach for the lively party scene, and the evening happy hour at the bar in the reception area is very popular with guests who get free drinks. Guest rooms are flamboyantly decorated and have minibars and marble bathrooms. The hotel is located in the heart of the Ocean Drive bar scene, so noise is hard to avoid. Families or couples looking for a relaxing holiday should definitely stay elsewhere. Apart from free Wi-Fi, the Whitelaw Hotel & Lounge offers few amenities, but it's a good value compared to other hotels in the same area.
The Whitelaw Hotel & Lounge is a mid-range hotel with 49 rooms in an Art Deco-style building on central Collins Avenue. It attracts a young crowd who come to South Beach for the lively party scene, and the evening happy hour at the bar in the reception area is very popular with guests who get free drinks. Guest rooms are flamboyantly decorated and have minibars and marble bathrooms. The hotel is located in the heart of the Ocean Drive bar scene, so noise is hard to avoid. Families or couples looking for a relaxing holiday should definitely stay elsewhere. Apart from free Wi-Fi, the Whitelaw Hotel & Lounge offers few amenities, but it's a good value compared to other hotels in the same area.
The 186-room Best Western Atlantic Beach Resort is a two-pearl property right on the beach, a 10-minute drive north of South Beach. It's an older hotel that's a mixed bag when it comes to style and substance, though upgrades were in progress during our 2016 visit. At the moment, though, it has major flaws. Rooms are basic and worn, and include flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers, and some have balconies and some have beach views. There's a mediocre restaurant and a bar, as well as another bar by the tiny pool. The hotel's best feature is its beachfront setting, though it's a 30-minute walk along the boardwalk to South Beach. As an alternative, the nearby Holiday Inn Miami Beach has a bigger pool and is more attractive.
The 186-room Best Western Atlantic Beach Resort is a two-pearl property right on the beach, a 10-minute drive north of South Beach. It's an older hotel that's a mixed bag when it comes to style and substance, though upgrades were in progress during our 2016 visit. At the moment, though, it has major flaws. Rooms are basic and worn, and include flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers, and some have balconies and some have beach views. There's a mediocre restaurant and a bar, as well as another bar by the tiny pool. The hotel's best feature is its beachfront setting, though it's a 30-minute walk along the boardwalk to South Beach. As an alternative, the nearby Holiday Inn Miami Beach has a bigger pool and is more attractive.
The 160-room Tradewinds Apartment Hotel attracts guests with its spacious suites -- with nice kitchens, dining areas, and big flat-screen TVs -- along with a tropical outdoor pool surrounded by lounge chairs and cabanas. Coin operated on-site washer and dryers are convenient while bike rentals are a nice bonus. The surrounding neighborhood is quiet and largely residential, with the beach located a five-minute walk away, but there is no restaurant or bar on-site.
The 160-room Tradewinds Apartment Hotel attracts guests with its spacious suites -- with nice kitchens, dining areas, and big flat-screen TVs -- along with a tropical outdoor pool surrounded by lounge chairs and cabanas. Coin operated on-site washer and dryers are convenient while bike rentals are a nice bonus. The surrounding neighborhood is quiet and largely residential, with the beach located a five-minute walk away, but there is no restaurant or bar on-site.
The Century Hotel is an aging Art Deco original, which is pretty much the only thing this budget property has going for it, aside from its location a block from the beach. Its simple rooms have marble-tiled bathrooms and mini-fridges, but the shabby furnishings and dirty walls are a turnoff. The absence of a pool, restaurant, bar, or any other facility leave little to recommend. At least it's walking distance to dining and nightlife, and has rates that are among the lowest in South Beach. Free beach towels are offered, too. For an alternative nearby, the Hotel St. Augustine on a quiet residential street is another value boutique worth considering.
The Century Hotel is an aging Art Deco original, which is pretty much the only thing this budget property has going for it, aside from its location a block from the beach. Its simple rooms have marble-tiled bathrooms and mini-fridges, but the shabby furnishings and dirty walls are a turnoff. The absence of a pool, restaurant, bar, or any other facility leave little to recommend. At least it's walking distance to dining and nightlife, and has rates that are among the lowest in South Beach. Free beach towels are offered, too. For an alternative nearby, the Hotel St. Augustine on a quiet residential street is another value boutique worth considering.
The Posh Hostel is a chic, budget property two blocks from the beach, offering three dorm-style rooms. Located in the middle of South Beach's bars, clubs, and restaurants, this hostel-style property offers a free breakfast, free airport shuttle, and a rooftop pool with loungers and a sundeck. A lounge area with a sprawling white leather sofa and a large flat-screen TV gives a spot for guests to hang out, while just behind it is a contemporary kitchen with gleaming stainless steel appliances. The hostel hosts a free happy hour every night. Bunking between eight to 30 people to a room is hardly peaceful, however; light-sleepers should strongly consider ear plugs. Bathrooms are clean and modern, though like the rooms, they are co-ed, which might be an issue for some. Backpackers and budget travelers might also want to check out the SoBe Hostel.
The Posh Hostel is a chic, budget property two blocks from the beach, offering three dorm-style rooms. Located in the middle of South Beach's bars, clubs, and restaurants, this hostel-style property offers a free breakfast, free airport shuttle, and a rooftop pool with loungers and a sundeck. A lounge area with a sprawling white leather sofa and a large flat-screen TV gives a spot for guests to hang out, while just behind it is a contemporary kitchen with gleaming stainless steel appliances. The hostel hosts a free happy hour every night. Bunking between eight to 30 people to a room is hardly peaceful, however; light-sleepers should strongly consider ear plugs. Bathrooms are clean and modern, though like the rooms, they are co-ed, which might be an issue for some. Backpackers and budget travelers might also want to check out the SoBe Hostel.
The mid-range Boutique 18 has limited, but prime, real estate two blocks from South Beach and a four-minute walk from the Miami Beach Convention Center, making it a popular choice with both business travelers and tourists. Rates are especially affordable for the 12 contemporary rooms, all of which include microwaves, mini-fridges, and toasters, but sometimes have a musty smell. Limited lounging areas or amenities mean that guests are largely left to their own devices, but resort fees are still charged for beach supplies and breakfast, neither of which are very satisfying. The Courtyard by Marriott Miami Beach Oceanfront has beach access and a pool, but is more expensive and slightly farther from the South Beach scene.
The mid-range Boutique 18 has limited, but prime, real estate two blocks from South Beach and a four-minute walk from the Miami Beach Convention Center, making it a popular choice with both business travelers and tourists. Rates are especially affordable for the 12 contemporary rooms, all of which include microwaves, mini-fridges, and toasters, but sometimes have a musty smell. Limited lounging areas or amenities mean that guests are largely left to their own devices, but resort fees are still charged for beach supplies and breakfast, neither of which are very satisfying. The Courtyard by Marriott Miami Beach Oceanfront has beach access and a pool, but is more expensive and slightly farther from the South Beach scene.