Kaskades South Beach

Guests staying at Kaskades Suites first have to head to Gale South Beach to check in; the lobby has tufted white leather chairs and dozens of framed black-and-white family photographs and memorabilia. The Art Deco building opened in 1941 and both properties have retro decor inspired by that time period. After walking down the hallway and through the Regent Cocktail Club, guests can head straight across the street to the Kaskades. With just 25 rooms and a small rooftop pool, it's one of the few quiet and relaxing spots in South Beach. When travelers want a little more action, they can head across the street to use the Gale's larger pool, fitness center, and restaurant and bar facilities. Kaskades opened in December 2014 to act as an all-suite addition to the Gale, for guests seeking a longer stay. Though they're called suites, most rooms don't have a living area aside from a single chair; still, they're larger than the rooms at the Gale.

The Kaskades Suites at Gale South Beach has an excellent location a block from posh Collins Avenue, where the trendy Delano Hotel is across the street. The beach is two blocks away, so there aren't any ocean views. But some of Miami's hottest restaurants, shops, and nightlife can all be found in the immediate area.To the north are popular high-end hangouts at the Fontainebleau and W South Beach. To the south, things get less exclusive and more populist along the famed Ocean Drive, with its busy boardwalk, outdoor bars and cafes, and more affordable boutique hotels.- Five-minute walk to Lincoln Road outdoor mall

• Five-minute walk to the Jackie Gleason Theatre of The Performing Arts
• Six-minute walk to the Bass Museum of Art
• Seven-minute walk to the Miami Convention Center
• Eight-minute walk to Ocean Drive
• 11-minute walk to Lummus Park
• 11-minute walk to Miami Botanical Garden
• 12-minute walk to the Holocaust Memorial
• 13-minute walk to the World Erotic Art Museum
• Two-minute drive to the Wolfsonian library and museum
• 12-minute drive or 32-minute bus ride Bal Harbour Luxury Shops
• 25-minute drive from Miami International Airport

Originally a resident building, the Kaskades Suites has 25 spacious rooms decorated in the same blue and white linens as the Gale South Beach. While called suites, they actually don't have separate rooms. But they have comfy beds, large work desks, blue leather chairs, wooden floors, and black-and-white photographs. The rooms are impressively high-tech, with whopping 60-inch flat-screen TVs (the largest hotel TVs we've seen just about anywhere), MP3 players, and tablets that control the temperature, blinds, television, and lights. Stocked minibars, robes, hairdryers, in-room safes, and Nespresso coffee machines are other thoughtful amenities. The gorgeous Italian marble bathrooms are state-of-the-art: Heated toilets double as bidets; double vanity sinks have ample GUYandGIRL toiletries; and the large bathtub and shower areas include steam shower capabilities. Note that there's a window between the bath and bedroom in most suite types, so privacy could be an issue. Many of the rooms also have furnished balconies, with views of the street. The Kaskades Japanese Soaking Tub suites have a whirlpool on the balcony and a sitting area in the room.

There's not much in the way of amenities at the Kaskades proper; the rooftop deck is lined with loungers and there's a tiny pool with jets at the edge. On the second floor, there's also a meeting room available. But guests of the Kaskades are free to use the amenities at Gale South Beach -- a rooftop pool with welcome drinks daily; golf cart that shuttles guests around South Beach; and a fitness center open until midnight. Guests are provided with two beach chairs and towels for each room at the Gale Beach Club, located at 18th St. and Collins Ave.A nice perk is the food and beverage credit offered ($15 during our visit), which can be used at the Gale. The Dolce Italian restaurant is open for all three meals and has a daily happy hour. The Regent Cocktail Club is a sleek space that has live music four nights a week. Hotel guests also receive preferred access (based on availability) to the Rec Room nightclub.