Princess Ann Hotel

The basic Princess Ann Hotel is not a design standout. Its street-facing terrace has celery-green canvas chairs and small round tables, while the small lobby has a variegated red tile floor and chubby, royal-blue and sand-colored arm chairs clustered around tables and racks of brochures. A white wrought-iron railing frames the staircase, but there's no elevator. There's a definite party vibe here, and many of the guests are young travelers from South America whose bedtimes tend to coincide more with sunrise than with a darkening sky.  

The Princess Ann Hotel is located in South Beach's Art Deco District, a five-minute walk from the beach. Lummus Park is a four-minute walk, while the Art Deco Museum is a three-minute walk from the hotel. The Bass Museum of Art is a six-minute drive or nine minutes on public transportation. There are lots of boutiques within walking distance, and the Lincoln Road Mall is a seven-minute drive or 16 minutes on public transportation. The Miami Beach Convention Center is a seven-minute drive or 19-minute bus ride away, while the American Airlines Arena is a 13-minute drive or 26 minutes on public transportation. Miami Seaquarium is a 22-minute drive or just over an hour by bus. The Venetian Pool, a swimming destination with waterfalls, is a half-hour drive away, but getting there takes almost three times as long by bus. Miami International Airport is a 25-minute drive or 47-minute bus ride from the hotel. 

Rooms at the Princess Ann Hotel have a crisp style, with shiny light-wood floors, white Venetian blinds, and mostly white walls. The beds, on raised, white wooden platforms, have white linens and blue throws. Some have accent walls in the hotel's signature blue (a cross between royal and indigo). Cheerful Pop Art prints hang on the walls. There are desk chairs on casters and upholstered pieces, and the larger rooms have designated sitting areas. All rooms have air-conditioning, ceiling fans, 42-inch flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, microwaves, and safes, plus small bathrooms with beige-and-white tiles and walk-in showers. Hairdryers and toiletries are provided, and while there's a fee for rollaway beds, beach towels are free.

A free continental breakfast is served in a small area off the lobby with wrought-iron tables and chairs, and there's free coffee and infused water throughout the day. The front desk is staffed 24-hours and offers free luggage storage. Other features include a small business center with a computer, printer, and fax facilities, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. Parking is valet only at the hotel; some guests report that lots for self-parking are not close by. There's no elevator at the hotel. Pets are not allowed, but there is still a refundable "breakage fee" due at check-in, an indication of the hotel's party-by-night nature.