Collins Hotel

The Collins is a vintage two-story motel with 101 exterior-access rooms, some overlooking an inviting kidney-shaped pool surrounded by shaded cafe tables. Inside the lobby, puffy leather sofas and a few pops of color on plain white walls give off a suburban basement vibe. However, bright sunlight cheers this casual space, which seems perfectly suited to texting teens and clusters of families with small children.

The hotel is on Collins Avenue between 66th and 67th streets in Miami Beach, a primarily residential area filled with high-rise condos. The Atlantic Ocean is across the street and South Beach is about five miles south. The surrounding neighborhood is known to locals as "Little Argentina," thanks to a growing population of new residents from South America. This influence is evident in the lively local cafes and restaurants, where patrons sip Brazilian espresso or munch on authentic Uruguayan steak sandwiches. Miami International is about a 20-minute drive away.

Rooms are sparely furnished but tidy and modern, with white walls and bedding and tiled floors; the purple bed runners and accent pillows add the only color. Features include wall-mounted flat-panel TVs, mini-fridges and safes in an open closet area. Bathrooms are renovated but small, with walk-in tiled showers and minimal counter space. Rooms not facing the street are quiet, but views can be stark and unattractive.

With a no-frills, nothing-fancy atmosphere and a small, well-maintained pool that is accessible from first-floor rooms, the Collins is a relatively easy and economical choice for vacationing families. Reasonably priced self-parking is available in a secure lot, and there is a beach across the street. No on-site dining or lounge means guests must leave the property for meals and entertainment. The hotel does provide access to a large, full-service gym and day spa across the street.