Offering just 52 rooms in one of the world's most desirable destinations, it's no surprise that the Grand Vacations Club, a timeshare property owned and operated by Hilton, is sold out for months at a stretch. Divided between two adjacent Art Deco buildings directly on Ocean Drive, the hotel clearly has a lock on prime location. However, guests expecting resort-style amenities will be disappointed: The property has no pool, restaurant, or lounge, and parking is valet only. Families will likely appreciate the small kitchen for whipping up a quick breakfast or lunch.
Offering just 52 rooms in one of the world's most desirable destinations, it's no surprise that the Grand Vacations Club, a timeshare property owned and operated by Hilton, is sold out for months at a stretch. Divided between two adjacent Art Deco buildings directly on Ocean Drive, the hotel clearly has a lock on prime location. However, guests expecting resort-style amenities will be disappointed: The property has no pool, restaurant, or lounge, and parking is valet only. Families will likely appreciate the small kitchen for whipping up a quick breakfast or lunch.
The Casa Grande Suite Hotel is a mid-range property with 35 privately owned condo suites. While the Casa Grande feels more like a temporary-stay apartment building than a hotel, it's ideal for big groups and families seeking a home base in the middle of SoBe. It's tucked behind the shops and restaurants on bustling Ocean Drive, right across from Lummus Park and the beach, so there's plenty to do nearby. But the building itself doesn't offer much in the way of amenities -- no pool, gym, restaurant, or bar. Suites, which range from studios to three-bedrooms, are simple but contemporary and spacious with fully equipped kitchens, bathrooms, sitting areas, plasma TVs, and free Wi-Fi. By comparison, Princess Ann Hotel offers more standard hotel digs for a similar price, but rooms there aren't nearly as big.
The Casa Grande Suite Hotel is a mid-range property with 35 privately owned condo suites. While the Casa Grande feels more like a temporary-stay apartment building than a hotel, it's ideal for big groups and families seeking a home base in the middle of SoBe. It's tucked behind the shops and restaurants on bustling Ocean Drive, right across from Lummus Park and the beach, so there's plenty to do nearby. But the building itself doesn't offer much in the way of amenities -- no pool, gym, restaurant, or bar. Suites, which range from studios to three-bedrooms, are simple but contemporary and spacious with fully equipped kitchens, bathrooms, sitting areas, plasma TVs, and free Wi-Fi. By comparison, Princess Ann Hotel offers more standard hotel digs for a similar price, but rooms there aren't nearly as big.
This upper-middle-range hotel is just one block from the beach, and offers tourists a lot of bang for their buck: a central location that's also quiet and private, a beautifully modern on-site restaurant, and a large outdoor pool with patio. Daily happy hours with free cocktails; clean, contemporary guest rooms; and excellent staff and management further enhance the property. While the hotel is within walking distance of various restaurants, shops, and entertainment, nearby transportation options to other parts of the city can be limited. Watch out for a pesky amenity fee to cover Wi-Fi in rooms, phone calls, and a welcome drink.
This upper-middle-range hotel is just one block from the beach, and offers tourists a lot of bang for their buck: a central location that's also quiet and private, a beautifully modern on-site restaurant, and a large outdoor pool with patio. Daily happy hours with free cocktails; clean, contemporary guest rooms; and excellent staff and management further enhance the property. While the hotel is within walking distance of various restaurants, shops, and entertainment, nearby transportation options to other parts of the city can be limited. Watch out for a pesky amenity fee to cover Wi-Fi in rooms, phone calls, and a welcome drink.
This mid-priced, 18-floor high-rise sits on a pristine beach with two gorgeous pools. The Alexander All-Suite Oceanfront Resort is great for families on a budget who benefit from the easy beach access and fully equipped kitchens. Rooms can be hit or miss; each of the 125 suites are individually decorated, some have sleek,modern kitchens and bathrooms with granite counters, others have outdated decor, and some are in desperate need of renovation with moldy ceilings and grout. Some booking sites include breakfast with the price of a room. Shula's Steakhouse is popular with locals and guests while Top of the Falls does cocktails and happy hours. Overall, this is a good choice for a taste of peaceful luxury while staying within budget on the quieter end of Miami Beach.
This mid-priced, 18-floor high-rise sits on a pristine beach with two gorgeous pools. The Alexander All-Suite Oceanfront Resort is great for families on a budget who benefit from the easy beach access and fully equipped kitchens. Rooms can be hit or miss; each of the 125 suites are individually decorated, some have sleek,modern kitchens and bathrooms with granite counters, others have outdated decor, and some are in desperate need of renovation with moldy ceilings and grout. Some booking sites include breakfast with the price of a room. Shula's Steakhouse is popular with locals and guests while Top of the Falls does cocktails and happy hours. Overall, this is a good choice for a taste of peaceful luxury while staying within budget on the quieter end of Miami Beach.
Design Suites at Castle Beach has received mixed reviews for its staff and facilities over the years. The 115-room high-rise building houses a combination of residences and vacation rentals, and some residences available to travelers seem to have been poorly maintained. A number of guests cite unkempt rooms, hallway odors, malfunctioning elevators and a lack of attentive management. But others reported that their rooms were tidy and well-equipped. One fact almost all guests agree on, though, is that many of the hotel's employees seem to have had no professional training and are occasionally rude. If top-notch customer service and a guarantee of sparkling, up-to-date amenities are more important than affordable rates, it's probably best to book elsewhere.
Design Suites at Castle Beach has received mixed reviews for its staff and facilities over the years. The 115-room high-rise building houses a combination of residences and vacation rentals, and some residences available to travelers seem to have been poorly maintained. A number of guests cite unkempt rooms, hallway odors, malfunctioning elevators and a lack of attentive management. But others reported that their rooms were tidy and well-equipped. One fact almost all guests agree on, though, is that many of the hotel's employees seem to have had no professional training and are occasionally rude. If top-notch customer service and a guarantee of sparkling, up-to-date amenities are more important than affordable rates, it's probably best to book elsewhere.
The budget-friendly Casablanca on the Ocean Hotel offers slightly out of date yet large guest rooms with completely stocked kitchens including refrigerators and stoves. Views from private balconies overlook the white sandy beaches of the Atlantic Ocean or another guest's room. The North Beach location is quieter and more family-friendly than bustling South Beach. An on-site gift shop and Bogart's restaurant serve meals throughout the day. The property shows signs of wear throughout and many areas look dated (despite renovations completed in 2014), but people stay here for the low rates and the beachfront location.
The budget-friendly Casablanca on the Ocean Hotel offers slightly out of date yet large guest rooms with completely stocked kitchens including refrigerators and stoves. Views from private balconies overlook the white sandy beaches of the Atlantic Ocean or another guest's room. The North Beach location is quieter and more family-friendly than bustling South Beach. An on-site gift shop and Bogart's restaurant serve meals throughout the day. The property shows signs of wear throughout and many areas look dated (despite renovations completed in 2014), but people stay here for the low rates and the beachfront location.
Conveniently located in trendy South Beach, the Harrison provides guests with an affordable stay compared to most of the other hotels within the area. The property relies on Asian-influenced, Art Deco motifs, with red accents and paintings of geishas throughout the property. The 297 guest rooms are spacious and contemporary, but the furnishings show some wear and tear, and there are reports of strong moldy smells throughout the hallways and rooms. Though amenities are limited, there’s a large outdoor courtyard where guests can relax on wicker furniture among trees and modern sculptures.
Conveniently located in trendy South Beach, the Harrison provides guests with an affordable stay compared to most of the other hotels within the area. The property relies on Asian-influenced, Art Deco motifs, with red accents and paintings of geishas throughout the property. The 297 guest rooms are spacious and contemporary, but the furnishings show some wear and tear, and there are reports of strong moldy smells throughout the hallways and rooms. Though amenities are limited, there’s a large outdoor courtyard where guests can relax on wicker furniture among trees and modern sculptures.
The Courtyard by Marriott Miami Beach Oceanfront is a four-pearl chain hotel for guests looking to enjoy a quieter section of the city's famous sandy beaches. The 333-room venue has four on-site casual restaurants, including a Cadillac Cafe buffet breakfast and a tapas joint for dinner. The hotel is divided into two towers -- the original Cadillac Tower and the newer Ocean Tower, added in 2013. Though both towers have Art Deco style lobbies and beach access, the rooms in the Ocean Tower are more modern with hues of white, blue, and gray. The more lively South Beach scene is five minutes away by car.
The Courtyard by Marriott Miami Beach Oceanfront is a four-pearl chain hotel for guests looking to enjoy a quieter section of the city's famous sandy beaches. The 333-room venue has four on-site casual restaurants, including a Cadillac Cafe buffet breakfast and a tapas joint for dinner. The hotel is divided into two towers -- the original Cadillac Tower and the newer Ocean Tower, added in 2013. Though both towers have Art Deco style lobbies and beach access, the rooms in the Ocean Tower are more modern with hues of white, blue, and gray. The more lively South Beach scene is five minutes away by car.
Located off Collins Avenue, The Pestana South Beach is a quiet, relaxed 99-room boutique two blocks from the beach. A central courtyard has a lovely pool with tall palm trees along with a bar and restaurant. Rooms are modern and bright with big flat-screen TVs, but there is no fitness center or business center. A variety of restaurants and bars are within easy walking distance. Guests may want to compare prices with nearby mid-range options such as the Albion (which does have a fitness center) and the Cadet Hotel.
Located off Collins Avenue, The Pestana South Beach is a quiet, relaxed 99-room boutique two blocks from the beach. A central courtyard has a lovely pool with tall palm trees along with a bar and restaurant. Rooms are modern and bright with big flat-screen TVs, but there is no fitness center or business center. A variety of restaurants and bars are within easy walking distance. Guests may want to compare prices with nearby mid-range options such as the Albion (which does have a fitness center) and the Cadet Hotel.
Tucked away in the quieter, residential part of the historic Art Deco district, the three-pearl Sobe You Bed and Breakfast blends period Art Deco pieces with Key West style. It's a tranquil hideaway that's still close to the action (around a 15-minute walk to the beach and Ocean Drive). This small, intimate property is a good fit for adults who want to be within walking distance of South Beach's craziness while staying in a subdued, relaxing spot that offers a more personal experience than a chain hotel. The rooms are housed in two buildings that do not have elevators, so be sure to book a ground-level room if stairs are a problem. The all-white rooms are clean and comfortable with huge TVs but not much space overall. Free breakfast is served by the outdoor pool set in a lovely courtyard.
Tucked away in the quieter, residential part of the historic Art Deco district, the three-pearl Sobe You Bed and Breakfast blends period Art Deco pieces with Key West style. It's a tranquil hideaway that's still close to the action (around a 15-minute walk to the beach and Ocean Drive). This small, intimate property is a good fit for adults who want to be within walking distance of South Beach's craziness while staying in a subdued, relaxing spot that offers a more personal experience than a chain hotel. The rooms are housed in two buildings that do not have elevators, so be sure to book a ground-level room if stairs are a problem. The all-white rooms are clean and comfortable with huge TVs but not much space overall. Free breakfast is served by the outdoor pool set in a lovely courtyard.