The Hotel of South Beach

Popular with vacationers in town for the sea, sun, and party vibe of South Beach, The Hotel Of South Beach is an upscale boutique hotel that was designed by American fashion designer Todd Oldham and opened in 1998. It's actually made up of two separate buildings: a main Art Deco building on Collins Avenue, and a newer oceanfront annex on Ocean Drive. The main building is a three-story box with a few funky Art Deco elements including a tall spire with the words "Tiffany" emblazoned along its length (referencing a former name for the hotel). A few steps lead up to a covered outdoor entryway with a few sofas and chairs for guests and into the lobby, with pale jade-green, beige, and brown marble floors and a few blue velour benches. Other common areas include a lovely rooftop pool deck with lots of  lounge chairs and planted palms. There's also a peaceful garden area with a bar and marble patio floors that's full of tropical greenery and kept cool with ample parasols. 

The Hotel Of South Beach's main building is situated on Collins Avenue, just a block away from Ocean Drive and the beach, and right by popular cocktail spot Wet Willies. The annex building is on Ocean Drive, above the News Cafe. The buildings are only about a minute apart on foot, but guests staying in the annex may find the short trek to the rooftop pool a bit annoying -- though the upside to their location is that they are closer to the beach. The area is frequently busy well into the night, and there are plenty of bars, restaurants, and clubs within a short walk of the property. The Miami Beach Convention Center is a 10-minute drive or 20-minute walk away. It's about a 20-minute drive to downtown Miami (or 35 minutes by bus), while Miami International Airport takes closer to half an hour to reach, traffic permitting. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport takes up to an hour to get to depending on traffic.

The Hotel Of South Beach offers five room types ranging in size from 275 to 500 square feet (84 to 152 square meters). All have understated modern decor; those in the main building have a beachy look, with blond furniture and a white and blue color scheme, while those in the 20-room annex are larger and have red and orange color accents (inspired by sunrises and sunsets). Some of the annex rooms have partial ocean views. All units come with desks, well-stocked minibars, Keurig coffeemakers, safes, and flat-screen TVs. Suites add whirlpool hot tubs and separate bedrooms and living rooms. Bathrooms are spacious and bright, with large shower/tub combos with rainfall showerheads and funky retro-1970s colored floors and trim. Pharmacopia-brand toiletries, hairdryers, robes, and make-up mirrors are provided. Note that multiple past guests have complained of thin walls, and noisy neighbors may risk leading to sleepless nights for some.

The Hotel Of South Beach offers a good selection of dining and drinking options for a hotel of its size. The Hotel Restaurant in the lobby area is open for all three meals and serves snacks and appetizers throughout the day. A free breakfast buffet with a few hot dishes is available here on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Also in the lobby, the Lobby Bar serves cocktails, fresh juice, and light meals such as sandwiches and offers free sangria and mimosas to guests every afternoon. There's also a Rooftop Pool Bar with breakfast service and cocktails and The Garden, a bar and restaurant set amongst tropical shrubs and trees. Wellness facilities include a lovely outdoor rooftop pool surrounded by lounge chairs, and poolside massages are an option. The hotel also offers a variety of free fitness classes by the pool on weekends, and there's a well-equipped gym with lots of weight-training equipment and a few cardio machines. Business facilities include a tiny business center with a couple of computers and a printer and a meeting room with a wet bar for guests to rent. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel and valet and self-parking are available for a fee. The hotel also has a boutique --  The Collection by AleXx -- that sells gifts and beachwear.