Lorraine Hotel

The Lorraine Hotel occupies a whitewashed Art Deco building at the corner of famed Collins Avenue and 26th Street in Miami Beach. A row of palm trees about a half-block away leads to the boardwalk and the sand and surf, which is the main reason why families and younger couples book stays here. While The Lorraine is no-frills, it does offer bright and clean interiors that were renovated in 2016. The lobby features black tile floors and a cluster of black-leather couches where guests wait to check in. Simple white-plastic chairs and tables decorated with tropical plants in turquoise pots line the perimeter of the room. Breakfast is set up in an adjacent space, and guests dine in the lobby or out on a small terrace overlooking the street. The hotel doesn't have any other common space, but this location offers restaurants, bars, and the beach within easy reach. Those who want more places to unwind on-site might prefer the Days Inn Miami Beach/Oceanside, which has a pool and a full restaurant (but more dated rooms, and a location that's farther from South Beach).

This hotel sits on the corner of Collins Avenue, which is famed for running parallel to (and just a few minutes' walk east of) the Miami Beach Boardwalk and Atlantic Ocean. Another local bonus: the Collins Avenue Shopping District (between Collins Ave. and Ocean Drive, from 5th to 10th Streets), located about a 10-minute drive from The Lorraine. Along with shops, there are numerous restaurants and bars along Collins Avenue, although the section immediately surrounding the hotel is mostly condos and office buildings. The heart of South Beach, with more nightlife, shopping, and dining, is about a 10-minute drive away (the northern edge, though, is just to the south -- the W South Beach is 10 minutes on foot). The Miami Design District is about 15 to 30 minutes away by car, depending on traffic. Surfside Beach, en route to ritzy Bal Harbour, is a 15- to 20-minute drive. The Miami Beach Convention Center is less than 10 minutes away by car. Miami International Airport can be anywhere from 20 to 50 minutes away by car, depending on traffic. The hotel offers free airport pickup, but the return trip costs extra. There is no parking at the hotel. 

Rooms at The Lorraine were renovated in 2016, including bathrooms. This is still a budget hotel and they are basic, with simple, slightly beachy decor. White walls are a clean canvas for light- or dark-wood furniture and quirkily patterned blue-and-brown curtains and bed throws. Walls are decorated with pretty paintings of the Miami Beach coastline or floral panels. Views are usually of the street, although most Deluxe Rooms have ocean views. Each room has a good-size dresser and closet, a nightstand between two double beds, and a small kitchenette area with a microwave and mini-fridge. Utensils, glasses, and dishes are provided, and some rooms also have small sinks. Closets store safes, ironing facilities, and extra blankets. Flat-screen TVs are wall-mounted and all rooms have free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are fresh and simple with bright-white shower/tub combos and basic toiletries. Hairdryers are provided. All rooms are air-conditioned and have ceiling fans. 

The Lorraine serves a free continental breakfast with a basic array of pastries, cereals, waffles, and fruit. Coffee and tea are available, and there's space to eat on the terrace. The unaffiliated Indomania Restaurant serves Indonesian food and is located in the same building as the hotel, and it does provide limited room service. A snack bar with ice cream and coffee is also in the building. A free airport pickup service is available, but there's a fee for the return trip to the hotel. Guests are offered free use of beach towels and chairs during their stay. Wi-Fi is free and there's a desktop computer for guest use.