Dorchester Hotel

Guests enter through a very atmospheric private courtyard lined with
large palms and other native trees where there are chairs,
tables, lounges, and an inviting “floating sunbed,” which is like a hammock on
steroids. The busy street is just beyond the hotel's walls, and traffic, passersby, and late-night partiers keep the Dorchester from
feeling like a private retreat. The pool is nice for a dip, but, again, nearby traffic
and construction just behind the wall make it less than ideal as a place for
a lazy, sun-drenched afternoon. For that, there's the beach club a block
away. In the lobby and bar, there are fun Art Deco touches. Velvet-covered
lobby sofas and armchairs give a nod to the period with their quirky 1920s
shapes. The bar is done in black, white, and red, with large oil paintings on
the walls and cool lighting fixtures, but the bright-white of the rest of the
hotel keeps the 1920s vibe from feeling complete. The breakfast cafe is
decorated in whites, silver, and attractive blue-velvet touches, which elevate
it from being a run-of-the-mill motel breakfast room. Amid all these fun Deco features, the Dorchester is a bit worn and tired in places, and there
are forgotten (and dated) aspects of the decor and architecture. But when it
comes to location and value, the Dorchester puts guests squarely in the cool
area of town, without emptying their wallets. Families with kids, friends traveling together, couples, and business travelers will likely all find what they need here, in a relaxed atmosphere, but without the extra frills that would make the Dorchester feel -- and actually be -- expensive.

The Dorchester Hotel is located on Collins
Avenue in the heart of South Beach, a block from the ocean. The location is good for guests who want to explore South Beach’s nightlife,
restaurant scene, and the historic Art Deco District. The Dorchester’s neighboring sister property, the Marseilles Miami Beach Hotel (where guests have beach club privileges) is a two-minute walk away. The Miami Beach
Convention Center is within a 10-minute walk, making the Dorchester a convenient choice
for business travelers. For entertainment, the Fillmore Miami Beach Jackie Gleason Theater is a six-minute walk, and the New World Symphony
and the Bass Art Museum are about five minutes away on foot. Ocean Drive, often dubbed the “American
Riviera,” is four blocks from the hotel, and Lincoln Road Mall, with a variety
of restaurants, shops, cafes, and clubs, is also an eight-minute walk away. The Port of Miami cruise ship terminal is a 15-minute drive, and Miami
International Airport is about a 25-minute drive.

Rooms at the Dorchester Hotel come in three
varieties: Doubles, Junior Suites, and One Bedroom Apartment Suites, most with
“city views,” which are not a selling point -- a few rooms face concrete
walls; these are, however, quiet, while rooms near the bar or near the street, between traffic and partying guests, can
get noisy at night. Earplugs are not a bad idea here. Decor is simple, almost plain, without any of
the Art Deco flair of the hotel’s common areas. Spaces are relatively tight, with
small freestanding wardrobes. Bathrooms, all with shower/tub combos, are
done in beige tile, and would be cramped for two people; there's no counter
space beyond the sink. While they're fine, they could use a style and
fixture update. Suites are far more spacious and stylish, with abstract art on
the walls, fun area rugs, and bright pops of color. Suite kitchenettes come with
two-burner stoves, fridges, microwaves, toasters, a few pots and pans, dishes, and glassware. All rooms include flat-screen TVs with premium
channels, safes, and mini-fridges.

The Dorchester Hotel features a small pool
and sundeck with overhanging tropical plants, good for a dip. Guests have beach
club privileges, including use of two beach chairs and an umbrella, at the
neighboring Marseilles Beach Resort, a two-minute walk away. There is a free happy hour daily at the
hotel’s 1850 Bar, which is dark and atmospheric in the evenings. Breakfast is
served daily in a bright breakfast cafe, but isn't included in the room
rate. The fitness center is cramped and worn, with low ceilings and machines
nearly overlapping one another, plus the treadmill,
bike, and a few other pieces of cardio and weight equipment are somewhat dated. There's a coin-operated laundry facility on-site, which is convenient for guests on extended stays.