Deauville Beach Resort

The Deauville says it's one of the first "Grande Dame" hotels of Miami Beach, and it shows. With 484 guest-rooms, its hulking edifice stands out and the lobby is large enough to fit a convention center. But if the handful of guests I saw is par for the course, the Deauville's days might be numbered. Though it once was a happening place for the Rat Pack generation, now it doesn't have much to offer. Though Beatles superfans will enjoy checking out the Napoleon Ballroom, where they played in 1964 for the Ed Sullivan show. The hotel touts this fact by displaying portraits of the band throughout the hallways and some of the rooms.For most of the year, there are so few guests here, you might get a chance to swim alone in the pool or relax in the hot tub in relative privacy. But this far up North Beach, that's pretty much all you can do. Besides a neighboring Walgreens and couple of bars, it's a 10-minute drive south to the swanky scene at the Fontainebleau resort, or 25 minutes to all the action in South Beach.

North Beach is 10 minutes from the restaurants and bars at the snazzy Fontainebleau resort in Miami Beach, and a 25-minute, $30 taxi -- at least -- to all the action in South Beach. There are some shops, restaurants, and local bars within walking distance of the hotel, but the great majority of tourist activity is much further south. Travelers will appreciate a Walgreens and Publix Super Market right by the hotel. Valet and self-parking in a garage are available for around $30/night. Miami International Airport is a 20-minute drive from the hotel.

Guest rooms, either standard or suites, come with a king or two double beds, two chairs, and a white wood writing desk. Suites have an additional living room with a dining table, chairs, and a foyer. All rooms have small flat-screen TVs, a mini-fridge (no minibar), coffeemaker, in-room safe, and air-conditioning units. Wi-Fi is also included in the resort fee. Bathrooms are thoroughly ordinary, complete with the standard shower and tub, hotel brand toiletries, and a hairdryer. Some guests have complained of the blue frosted window between the bathroom and main room as it lets in light at night. Minor wear and tear is visible even in the rooms that were renovated in 2014. If you're going to book a room, those with ocean-view balconies are worth the upgrade.For families, cribs and roll-away beds are provided on request at no extra charge.

The Deauville's main feature is its large pool, with a spacious deck and adjacent hot tub. Guests also have access to the beach, which is relatively abandoned but very slim this far north. This may be more than enough, but it definitely doesn't compare to the broad, white-sand beaches in South Beach that make Miami so famous. Two beach chairs come with each room's resort fee, but extra chairs and umbrellas incur a fee.Dining options on-site are mediocre; they include an overpriced main restaurant, poolside bar, and Jazz Club for dinner. The relatively unknown Café de la Mer is the main restaurant at the Deauville, serving a variety of dishes for all three meals. Guests can also get food at the Kon Tiki Tiki Bar out by the pool, though the menu consists mainly of lighter snacks. The hotel has a "famous" jazz club that's open for dinner and features live music on select nights. Guests can also grab a drink at the Lobby Bar, which overlooks the pool and has a self-playing piano. For professionals, there's a business center with computers, and fax and copying machines; meeting rooms; and three ballrooms. A fitness center and spa are also available.