Circa 39 Hotel

From the outside, the Circa 39 hotel looks typical Miami, accented by bright pink pavement, swaying palms, and Art Deco architecture. Inside, the vibe continues with modern furniture and feature walls of bright orange contemporary wallpaper. The tropical garden is a peaceful place to lounge, with rattan pod chairs shaded by banana plants. The medium-sized swimming pool is surrounded by a sun deck outfitted with cabanas and umbrella-shaded chaises. Beyond the pool is a quirky and breezy bar with board games and a daily happy hour. The hotel is well-suited for couples and families who want to be near the beach but away from the frenzy of South Beach.

Circa 39 is located at the busy intersection of Collins Avenue and 39th Street. It’s minutes away from the beach, with direct access via a boardwalk behind the hotel. A quick taxi ride drops you in the heart of the South Beach scene, with the Miami Beach Convention Center, Ocean Drive, and fashionable Lincoln Road. Circa 39 is ideally situated for those visiting Miami Beach during special events such as the Winter Music Conference, South Beach Food & Wine Festival, and Miami International Boat Show. South Pointe Park is a 15-minute drive away and is perfect for cycling in the sun. The hotel offers parking for a fee.

The sleek and stylish rooms at the Circa 39 are decorated in crisp white, bright green, and polished hardwood. Windows are large, letting in plenty of light through white shutters. Shades of orange and turquoise add pop to the pillows and bed runners. Furniture is funky and 1960s-inspired, including the large orange ceiling fans. Wardrobes have ample storage space and fluffy orange robes inside. Rooms also have coffeemakers, mini-fridges, wall-mounted flat-screen TVs, SoundFlow alarm clock/music players, air-conditioning, and pillow-top mattresses. Bathrooms are feature square sinks, but lack much counter space. Showers have glass doors, and there are Aveda toiletries and green mosaic glass-tiled walls. Many rooms have views that overlook the swimming pool.

While all beaches in Miami are public, Circa 39 has direct beach access via a five-minute walk down a boardwalk at the back of the hotel. The hotel provides cushioned loungers, towels, and umbrellas on the beach for guests. The swimming pool at the hotel is a decent size, with bright blue sun loungers around it -- although it is overlooked by other hotels so can be a bit shady. The fitness center is large enough, with a good range of equipment. The Jules Kitchen cafe is a lively spot featuring outdoor dining, and there's a bar by the pool. For a fee, guests can use the Aveda spa at Circa 39's sister hotel, The Palms (a 10-minute walk away). For business travelers, there are two small meeting rooms; the larger one seats up to 30 people. The hotel charges a resort fee that covers free Wi-Fi. Breakfast is served daily for a fee.