Leamington Hotel

Guests at the Leamington frequently note that you get what you pay for -- and as would be expected, this hotel's rock-bottom prices (at least for downtown Miami) bring the minimum, aside from a bed for the night. The five-story concrete building, originally constructed in 1922, does offer a little bit of Old Miami charm, with mint-green and light-red-striped accents on the facade, but it's mostly a faded advertisement for what's to come. The lobby, which doubles as a breakfast room, is the hotel's only common area, with beige-tile floors, white walls, and long tables with modern stools. There's little in the way of decor, but live plants and pendant lights add a touch of style. Many of the guests are vacationers on their way to someplace else -- several spend a night on layover for a coming cruise ship departure.

The Lemington's sits on a busy street smack in the middle of downtown Miami. Surrounding establishments include restaurants, a cigar shop, and a liquor store. Bayfront Park is a block from the hotel, Bayside Marketplace is within a five-minute walk, and the American Airlines Arena is eight minutes away on foot. The First Street Metromover station is a three-minute walk from the hotel, which gives easy access to the Brickell area. The Port of Miami, a big departure point for cruises, is a five-minute drive from the hotel, while Miami International Airport is about 15 minutes away by car. The hotel doesn't have any parking, but it does offer a  low-price shuttle drop-off service (no pickups) to the airport and the cruise port.

As would be expected at this price point, the Leamington's 105 rooms are barebones basic. Rooms have either double or twin beds, and mini-suites come with couches, microwaves, and mini-fridges; Family Rooms have two doubles or two twin beds. While some rooms are fine, others show serious signs of wear and tear. Cream-colored walls and a light-blue accent walls offer a nice foil for the plain gray carpeting. White desks might have modern chairs, and small tables serve as nightstands. Pictures over the beds, modern reading lamps, and wall-mounted flat-screen TVs (in some rooms) finish it off. While the rooms resemble one another, guests complain frequently about dirty carpets, worn bedskirts, and lumpy beds. Beige-tile bathrooms show their age -- some have shower/tub combos and pedestal sinks and others have showers with curtains -- and guests have complained about their cleanliness, along with noisy air-conditioning units in the rooms. Basic toiletries are provided, and rooms include free Wi-Fi. Some rooms have mounted flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, but some TVs are tube style, and guests say that not all TVs work. 

Given its low rates, the Leamington has few extra features. The free continental breakfast is basically various breads and coffee. Two vending machines supply drinks and snacks, and there's an ATM. An inexpensive shuttle service drops guests off at the airport or cruise terminal, although it doesn't pick up. Reception operates 24-hours, and Wi-Fi is free throughout.