Bentley Hotel South Beach

From the outside, this historic Art Deco building looks dated, with noticeable chips and stains on the walls. An elevator waits to shuttle guests up to the second-floor reception area with original marble floors and a tatty balcony with tables and chairs that overlook the park out to the Atlantic. The hotel spent its first 10 years as The Riviera Hotel, and, like many hotels in the area, was used to house armed services during World War II. In 1950, it was renamed Bentley Hotel. The self-catering suites are a big draw for families and beach-goers on a budget. Still, this boutique gets mixed reviews due to the visible wear and tear, suites with either modern or dated decor, high resort fees, and noise issues.

Bentley Hotel is located in South Beach's Art Deco Historic District, just one block from the beach and a few minutes' walk to the madness of South Beach's party scene. Resting a couple of blocks south of the action of Ocean Drive, guests can expect a lively atmosphere with slightly less street noise. The hotel is located across the street from Lummus Park, giving visitors a quick and scenic route to the paved boardwalk on the other side of the park. The Art Deco Historic District is just a six-minute walk up Ocean Ave, and Espanola Way, the popular European-style street, is a 22-minute walk. Several options for shopping, restaurants, bars, and convenience stores are all within walking distance. The Wynwood arts district and Downtown Miami are both around 20 minutes away by car, while Miami Airport is about a 25-minute drive.

The Bentley bills itself as an all-suite hotel, though guests can expect one-room Junior Suites thrown into the mix. All suites reportedly have loud AC, flat-screen TVs, and kitchens or kitchenettes, plus some have balconies with ocean views. Most TVs and bathrooms are small. Guests in Junior Suites have a decently equipped wet bar kitchenette that's good for easy meals thanks to a microwave, coffeemaker, and near-full-sized refrigerator stocked with liquor, wine, beer, and soft drinks (fee). Both the One Bedroom City View and One Bedroom Ocean Front have separate bedrooms with a queen-sized bed and a portable electric burner in the kitchen. Comforts and conveniences include iPod docking stations with speakers, terrycloth bathrobes, and walk-in showers with contemporary showerheads. Two Bedroom Suites feature separate two bedrooms, each with a queen bed, plus sofa beds in the living rooms.

The Bentley Hotel's rooftop pool is a popular spot where guests can take a dip in the small lap pool, soak in views of the Atlantic, and relax on pool loungers. There are also a hot tub (though it's not always heated) and bar slinging drinks to guests redeeming the free drink vouchers handed to them at check-in. Guests also have access to a nearby beach club where they'll get free towels and two lounge chairs per room (umbrellas are available for a daily fee). The beach is accessed one block away, through the park across the street and has soft white sand and warm water. On the ground floor, there's a pricey Italian restaurant that's open for three meals a day. Like other parts of the hotel, there is some wear and tear. There are no spa or gym here, but guests get discounts at the Mondrian South Beach spa, as well as a handful of other perks, including free food and drink, at sister properties within the Menin Hotel family. There's a family-friendly courtyard area with table games and hammocks, and an on-demand electric car service that will drop guests anywhere within a few miles' radius for free.
Like many properties in Miami, this hotel has a daily resort fee. Wi-Fi is free, but expect to pay extra for valet parking.