Shore Club South Beach

Shore Club South Beach Hotel is a definitive part of the South Beach scene, and the hotel’s hip factor has drawn celebrities like T.I. and Ashlee Simpson-Wentz. Originally built in 1949, it’s among the area’s historic buildings, showcasing original floors and Art Deco columns. However, the hotel underwent a total revamp in 2002, and ongoing updates have turned the lobby, once full of sheer curtains that created semi-private sitting spaces, into a bright, open space decked out in minimalist white and metal-framed furniture. A black mermaid sculpture is affixed to a curved wall, and clashes a bit with the photos of women in varying degrees of clothing. Additionally, obvious wear and tear, like wobbly elevator buttons and fixture scratches, decrease the overall wow factor. Nevertheless, many young adults come here for the hip vibe and fun pool parties.

Shore Club has a beachfront location right off 19th and Collins Avenue, on South Beach's trendy hotel row. As such, the area is mostly full of upscale hotels, and bars and restaurants inside of these hotels. This is the cruising strip of the area, with the iconic stretch of Ocean Avenue's Art Deco Historic District around a 10-minute drive south. The hotel has direct beach access and is within a 10-minute car ride from some of the hottest clubs. The Miami Beach Convention Center is just a six-minute walk or four-minute drive from the hotel. Downtown Miami is around 20 minutes away by car. Miami International Airport is a 20-minute drive away, and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is a 40-minute drive. 

The Shore Club’s 300 rooms have a modern, minimalist look that feels a bit basic compared to other four-pearl properties in the area. Lampshades, accent walls, and throw pillows give pops of color to the all-white rooms and furniture, and the unfinished sandstone tile floors are a cool touch. Unfortunately, scratched bathroom sinks, worn furniture details, and loose tiles put a damper on the overall style. During our stay, we didn't notice much noise between rooms, but guests have reported hallway noise and sounds between room walls.Superior rooms start out with either one king- or two queen-size beds, plus iHome docking stations, Keurig machines with free pods and refills, and minibars. Bathrooms have deep tubs with showerheads, quality Ciel bath products, and bathrobes. Upgrades to Partial Ocean View and Ocean View rooms guarantee a private balcony. Most categories from here and up have glass wet room-style bathrooms with separate tubs located behind the walk-in rainfall showers. Loft Junior Suites are spacious, thanks to sitting nooks with modern chaise loungers, additional flat-screen TVs, and small desks. These rooms also swap out Keurigs for Lavazza espresso machines and offer partial ocean or courtyard views from the balcony. One- and two-bedroom suites with direct ocean views and terraces are also available, including the cream of the crop Penthouse Suite. This tri-level room has a lofted master bedroom overlooking the living room, a full-sized fridge stocked with free items, a personal sauna, and private plunge pool. 

Shore Club’s full-service beach area has soft sand and a relaxed vibe within South Beach. Guests can access the beach directly via a walkway off the Beach Pool. Loungers are free and on a first-come, first-served basis, so folks wanting front-row ocean views should arrive early. Umbrellas, daybeds with pullover umbrellas, and water sports are available for extra fees. Loungers are only available to guests, but this is a public beach. 

Shore Club’s full-service pool area is a popular spot for lounge and the place to be during the hotel’s fun Sunday pool parties that are open to the public. All other times the pool areas are just for guests. Padded loungers and extra large daybeds (up for grabs on weekdays) rim the rectangular Main Pool, and house music is common on the weekends. For a slightly more secluded feel, the smaller Beach Pool offers garden surroundings and a mostly out-of-sight location behind the main pool. 

The hotel’s main restaurant Diez y Seis is a Shore Club highlight, and features menus from Agrentinian chef Jose Icardi, a South Beach restaurant veteran. Expect a creative Mezcal cocktail list, dishes focusing on Mexican favorites with a Miami twist, and great terrace views over the pool. Drinks and small plates are also available in the evenings at Skybar, an outdoor lounge area within the central garden courtyard. This space features couches, swinging benches, and trees wrapped in white lights. Other drink options include the Rumbar, located between the two pools, and Redroom, a lounge bar full of red-tinted glass. The spa is small but pleasant, housing a few simple treatment rooms and tiny manicure and pedicure areas. Unlike most spas in the area, there is no steam room or sauna here, and locker rooms function more like changing rooms. Products are available for sale. In a separate tower, the 24-hour gym is divvied up into three small areas with True cardio machines, free weights, and Hoist and Cybex weight machines. There’s also a large bathroom with a walk-in shower, separate jetted tub, and vanity area, plus an additional half bath. Shore Club’s resort fee is comparable to other properties in South Beach. It includes Wi-Fi, towels and loungers at both the pools and beach, grab-and-go beach cruisers on a first-come, first-served basis, and two small bottles of water per day. Guests also get use of the gym and free yoga and boot camp classes (only offered three days a week). The only parking option is valet and it’s an extra fee.