Churchill Suites Monte Carlo Miami Beach

This upscale all-suite property attracts leisure tourists on extended stays and families seeking spacious lodging with the convenience of kitchens and other amenities. The lobby, modern-luxe in feel, has soaring ceilings above a pair of gray linen sofas placed back-to-back with a book laden table between them. Small trees in white planters provide a dose of greenery amid neutral hues. Along one wall guests will find free coffee, ice water, and apples, while another features a large bookcase filled with books, framed photographs, and other knickknacks. The heated pools are on the first and fifth floors with the latter offering clear views of the ocean and a chance for guests to mingle, although most people are intent on using the place as a perch to explore the beach across the street and the nightclubs of South Beach.

Churchill Suites sits directly across from the ocean at 65th Street and Collins Avenue in the North Beach area of Miami, an area that includes Biscayne Bay. The less trendy, less crowded cousin to South Beach, North Beach has fewer tourists and more affordable lodging and restaurants. The beach is just across the street, and there's a park a block away from the hotel. There are a couple of restaurants and fast food eateries in the surrounding area, as well as a convenience store, Publix Supermarket, and a Walgreens within a five-minute walk. Normandy Shores Golf Club is a 10-minute drive, while the Miami Beach Convention Center can be reached in 13 minutes (both about 30 minutes away via public transportation). The Lincoln Road Mall is a 15-minute drive or 30 minutes on public transportation, while Bal Harbour, with its luxury shops, is about 10 minutes by car or 17 minutes by bus. South Beach can be reached in about 15 to 20 minutes by car, (38 minutes by bus) while the Art Deco District is about a 20-minute drive (33 minutes by bus). Other attractions in the area include Jungle Island (20-minute drive or 50 minutes on public transportation) and the American Airlines Arena, home to the NBA's Miami Heat (25-minute drive or a 60-minute ride on public transportation). Miami International Airport is a 20- to 30-minute drive from here, or around an hour via public transportation. 

The property's spacious apartment-like suites range from studios to two bedrooms, all with full kitchens, living rooms, and dining areas, as well as partial or full views of the ocean or bay. Rooms are bright and modern, painted all white with high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows. Most rooms have lovely private balconies furnished with contemporary rattan and cushioned chairs as well as coffee tables, providing a nice perch to look out over the water. The track-lighted kitchens have full-size refrigerators, microwaves, cooktops and ovens, dishwashers, and coffee- and tea-making facilities. Open-plan kitchen/living rooms have glass dining tables and seating areas with brown leather sofas and flat-screen TVs. Other amenities include DVD players, washers and dryers, free Wi-Fi, and air-conditioning, but some guests complain that the air-conditioning units are noisy. The bedrooms, with alarm clocks and safes, have tufted linen headboards and accent pillows, dark wood furniture, and big windows. Bathrooms are contemporary, with modern sinks and shower/tub combos with rainfall showerheads. Up to two children can stay free, but rollaway beds cost extra -- though many units have pull-out sofas. Housekeeping costs extra, but each apartment has a vacuum.

The property has two outdoor pools, each surrounded by sundecks with white mesh loungers and umbrellas as well as hot tubs. Free towels are provided. There are contemporary natural-fiber chairs in the shade or under a steel pergola where guests can bring their own drinks. The fitness center is bright and spacious, with large windows and a variety of modern equipment including treadmills, elliptical machines, exercise balls, and free weights. There are also two saunas. Bicycles are free to borrow. The 24-hour front desk includes concierge service and luggage storage. There is a table in the lobby near the floor-to-ceiling windows with a computer and printer. Valet parking is free, as is Wi-Fi throughout the property, and guests can borrow bikes.