Hall Hotel South Beach

Dating back to the 1940s, this Art Deco features a vintage, tropical design inspired by Miami’s midcentury beach culture plus Caribbean and Latin American influences. A white fountain greets guests as they enter the property, and the walkway to the entrance is lined with tropical plants, creating a readymade away-from-it-all vibe. Inside, the lobby is open and bright, with a white and yellow tiled floor and white walls and ceiling. Plenty of sofas and chairs provide places where guests can hang out, and large potted plants add to the ambiance. You'll see lots of vibrant colors and tropical prints, giving everything a nice bit of modern polish despite its classic references. The atmosphere throughout the hotel is laid-back and relaxed, a welcome quality in busy and party-mad South Beach. The hotel attracts all sorts of travelers who want to be in the heart of South Beach and close to the beach, though couples and groups of friends are the most frequent guests.

This hotel is located in the heart of South Beach, just a block from the beach and the quieter, northern tip of Ocean Drive. Multiple restaurants, bars, and shops are within walking distance. The popular Lincoln Road pedestrian mall is two blocks away, and the Latin American eateries lining quaint Espanola Way are just around the corner as well. Lummus Park can be reached in 10 minutes on foot, as can the Miami Beach Convention Center, for anyone in town on business. The Flamingo Park Baseball Stadium is about a 15-minute walk. Miami International Airport is 20 to 30 minutes away by car, depending on traffic. 

Rooms are small, but they are fresh and bright, with Caribbean color schemes of green and blue, hardwood floors, and pastel walls. The South Beach-inspired artwork -- sexy palm tree silhouettes against orange sunsets -- adds some flair and a little "Miami Vice" style. Custom furniture is painted a soft shade of mint green, and white linens top the white beds. Drapery also comes in white, which helps to magnify the already beachy aesthetic at play in the rooms. Standard features include flat-screen TVs, safes, mini-fridges, and free Wi-Fi. There have been some complaints about air-conditioning not being powerful enough. Sparkling clean vintage bathrooms feature classic black-and-white tiling, pedestal sinks, magnifying mirrors, hairdryers, and Jonathan Adler toiletries. Shower/tub combos have rainfall showerheads. Robes and slippers, as well as a beach bag, are supplied. Suites are larger and have sitting areas with cushioned benches and chairs, plus a balcony or terrace. Some rooms overlook the pool. 

Led by Spike Mendelsohn, of "Top Chef" fame, Sunny's restaurant serves new American fare all day in a casual space with indoor and outdoor seating. There's also a bar called Holiday's, a hip space done up in retro fabrics and gold chandeliers that mimic palm trees. A piano provides live entertainment. Campton Yard is a relaxed, laid-back place for hanging out outside, with a large Banyan tree in the center. Drinks and snacks are served, and it's available for private events. Guests have noted that automatic gratuities are added to checks, a common practice in South Beach. The hotel's indoor and outdoor events space can accommodate 12 people for meetings in the boardroom and 400 for parties in the backyard. The large outdoor pool is surrounded by palm trees and other tropical greenery. Lounge chairs line the pool deck, and a few striped cabanas are available. A small fitness center has a treadmill, elliptical machine, weight-training machine, and free weights -- it's nothing much, but fine for a basic workout. A mirror-lined wall makes the space appear larger than it is. The beach is a block away, and the hotel provides beach chairs, towels, and a beach bag for guests (included in the resort fee). Pets are allowed with restrictions and valet parking is available for a fee. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.