The Clay is an affordable boutique hotel with plenty of old-world charm, situated on a palm tree-lined pedestrian street loaded with dining options. The hotel offers few amenities beyond free Wi-Fi and valet parking for an additional fee. Because there are no elevators, guests must climb tiled staircases to reach upper-floor rooms. Rooms are small but clean, and some retain vintage details, such as French doors that open to the lively street scene below. While conveniently located, nearby bars and restaurants can be quite noisy until the wee hours. Guests might also be inconvenienced by noise and disruption from ongoing renovations.
The Clay is an affordable boutique hotel with plenty of old-world charm, situated on a palm tree-lined pedestrian street loaded with dining options. The hotel offers few amenities beyond free Wi-Fi and valet parking for an additional fee. Because there are no elevators, guests must climb tiled staircases to reach upper-floor rooms. Rooms are small but clean, and some retain vintage details, such as French doors that open to the lively street scene below. While conveniently located, nearby bars and restaurants can be quite noisy until the wee hours. Guests might also be inconvenienced by noise and disruption from ongoing renovations.
The 64-room Lord Balfour is a modern boutique hotel designed to appeal to hip, urban travelers, and for the most part, it succeeds. The decor is stylish and playful, a winking reminder to guests not to take themselves — or the hotel — too seriously. And that's probably good advice, because the amenities and the size of the rooms are a bit limited. There's no restaurant or pool, but guests can take advantage of a basic continental breakfast, as well as vouchers for chairs and umbrellas at the beach across the street. Rooms are best suited to singles or couples, since space is tight, and bathrooms are not much bigger than a phone booth. There's more breathing room in the outdoor courtyard, where guests can sip cocktails amid towering potted palms.
The 64-room Lord Balfour is a modern boutique hotel designed to appeal to hip, urban travelers, and for the most part, it succeeds. The decor is stylish and playful, a winking reminder to guests not to take themselves — or the hotel — too seriously. And that's probably good advice, because the amenities and the size of the rooms are a bit limited. There's no restaurant or pool, but guests can take advantage of a basic continental breakfast, as well as vouchers for chairs and umbrellas at the beach across the street. Rooms are best suited to singles or couples, since space is tight, and bathrooms are not much bigger than a phone booth. There's more breathing room in the outdoor courtyard, where guests can sip cocktails amid towering potted palms.
Opened in 2015, the upscale Hyatt Centric is a small hotel by Collins Avenue standards, with boutique-like features and sleek, contemporary accents. The first Hyatt property in South Beach, it's not as upscale as the Loews across the street or as luxurious as the nearby Ritz-Carlton, but it is less expensive and has a far more laid-back vibe. The 105 fresh rooms feature plush beds and 47-inch flat-screen TVs. An innovative restaurant serves Spanish-Mediterranean cuisine and the hotel has a small pool, but is not right on the beach. Chairs are available for free through the Loews hotel, but there are fees for umbrellas.
Opened in 2015, the upscale Hyatt Centric is a small hotel by Collins Avenue standards, with boutique-like features and sleek, contemporary accents. The first Hyatt property in South Beach, it's not as upscale as the Loews across the street or as luxurious as the nearby Ritz-Carlton, but it is less expensive and has a far more laid-back vibe. The 105 fresh rooms feature plush beds and 47-inch flat-screen TVs. An innovative restaurant serves Spanish-Mediterranean cuisine and the hotel has a small pool, but is not right on the beach. Chairs are available for free through the Loews hotel, but there are fees for umbrellas.
Z Ocean Hotel balances modest amenities and service with big, comfortable suites, a prime location, and reasonable rates. Marketing itself to adult couples, it successfully achieves an intimate, laid-back vibe.
Z Ocean Hotel balances modest amenities and service with big, comfortable suites, a prime location, and reasonable rates. Marketing itself to adult couples, it successfully achieves an intimate, laid-back vibe.
Shore Club South Beach is an upscale hotel with two pools, direct beach access, a beautiful garden bar, and plenty of public space to lounge or be seen. The 300 rooms are fresh and modern, though feel basic compared to competitors. Unfortunately, wear and tear can be spotted throughout, diminishing the overall style factor. Also on the downside, thin walls means noise can be an issue. Still, this property draws a young, cool crowd who like to spend the day relaxing at the pools (especially during the popular pool parties). Plus, there are an excellent Miami-Mexican restaurant, full-service spa, and small gym on-site. For a boutique vibe just two blocks down the beach, consider the trendy, Philippe Starck-designed SLS South Beach.
Shore Club South Beach is an upscale hotel with two pools, direct beach access, a beautiful garden bar, and plenty of public space to lounge or be seen. The 300 rooms are fresh and modern, though feel basic compared to competitors. Unfortunately, wear and tear can be spotted throughout, diminishing the overall style factor. Also on the downside, thin walls means noise can be an issue. Still, this property draws a young, cool crowd who like to spend the day relaxing at the pools (especially during the popular pool parties). Plus, there are an excellent Miami-Mexican restaurant, full-service spa, and small gym on-site. For a boutique vibe just two blocks down the beach, consider the trendy, Philippe Starck-designed SLS South Beach.
The historic and iconic Raleigh Hotel in Miami has been earning accolades since Life magazine dubbed their pool the most beautiful in America in 1947. Today, the four-pearl Art Deco hotel still gets its fair share of praise and often hosts fashion shoots and parties by the pool. Renovations brought a contemporary restaurant, upgrades to the iconic Martini Bar, and a European-style coffee shop. Scenesters love free vintage bikes and a pop-up design boutique -- plus private access to South Beach, but nobody appreciates the small rooms and daily resort fees. The Raleigh still holds its own, but the scene at neighboring Delano and Shore Club gives it a real run for its money -- and press.
The historic and iconic Raleigh Hotel in Miami has been earning accolades since Life magazine dubbed their pool the most beautiful in America in 1947. Today, the four-pearl Art Deco hotel still gets its fair share of praise and often hosts fashion shoots and parties by the pool. Renovations brought a contemporary restaurant, upgrades to the iconic Martini Bar, and a European-style coffee shop. Scenesters love free vintage bikes and a pop-up design boutique -- plus private access to South Beach, but nobody appreciates the small rooms and daily resort fees. The Raleigh still holds its own, but the scene at neighboring Delano and Shore Club gives it a real run for its money -- and press.
The three-pearl, 92-room Richmond Hotel is in the heart of South Beach, walking distance to all the dining, shopping, and nightlife on Lincoln road. It's in an ideal location for tourists, providing direct access to a reserved beach area with loungers and umbrellas (fee). Its rooms are on the small side, with minimal amenities and some have a ton of visible wear, but they also have a charming Art Deco style. The courtyard is one of the best in the area for a mid-range property, complete with a sizable outdoor pool, hot tub, and cushioned loungers, but the gym is small. A poolside cafe is open for breakfast and lunch. The hotel definitely looks and feel old, so for a more modern hotel along the beach in this range, check out the nearby Marseilles Hotel.
The three-pearl, 92-room Richmond Hotel is in the heart of South Beach, walking distance to all the dining, shopping, and nightlife on Lincoln road. It's in an ideal location for tourists, providing direct access to a reserved beach area with loungers and umbrellas (fee). Its rooms are on the small side, with minimal amenities and some have a ton of visible wear, but they also have a charming Art Deco style. The courtyard is one of the best in the area for a mid-range property, complete with a sizable outdoor pool, hot tub, and cushioned loungers, but the gym is small. A poolside cafe is open for breakfast and lunch. The hotel definitely looks and feel old, so for a more modern hotel along the beach in this range, check out the nearby Marseilles Hotel.
After a 2014 renovation combined its Art Deco roots with modern luxury, the Shelborne South Beach became a stylish, upscale pick on Collins Ave in South Beach. The guest rooms have comfortable beds, digital music players, and stocked minibars, and some come with balconies. But standard rooms are on the small side, as are most bathrooms -- which have plush robes and custom toiletries but no bathtubs. Amenities, however, are top-notch, and include beach access and service, a heated pool, spa and fitness center, and multiple dining and drink options that include The Sarsaparilla Club restaurant. Rates are competitive for an upscale beachfront option in South Beach; most competitors, such as the Delano next door, are pricier.
After a 2014 renovation combined its Art Deco roots with modern luxury, the Shelborne South Beach became a stylish, upscale pick on Collins Ave in South Beach. The guest rooms have comfortable beds, digital music players, and stocked minibars, and some come with balconies. But standard rooms are on the small side, as are most bathrooms -- which have plush robes and custom toiletries but no bathtubs. Amenities, however, are top-notch, and include beach access and service, a heated pool, spa and fitness center, and multiple dining and drink options that include The Sarsaparilla Club restaurant. Rates are competitive for an upscale beachfront option in South Beach; most competitors, such as the Delano next door, are pricier.
This quaint, minimalist 24-room hotel is set on a quiet residential street just south of the South Beach action, within a few minutes' walk of some of Miami's best local hot spots. You won't find any art on the walls in the straightforward, meticulously clean rooms, but you will find 42-inch flat-screen TVs, stereos, and excellent multi-head steam showers. The extremely low-key property doesn't have a full restaurant or pool on site, but it does offer free breakfast in its bright little lobby lounge (where free coffee is available throughout the day) and the beach is a four-minute walk away. Travelers looking for a South Beach boutique hotel with just a touch more glitz and easier beach access could check out Essex House Hotel, though the shower experience will less memorable.
This quaint, minimalist 24-room hotel is set on a quiet residential street just south of the South Beach action, within a few minutes' walk of some of Miami's best local hot spots. You won't find any art on the walls in the straightforward, meticulously clean rooms, but you will find 42-inch flat-screen TVs, stereos, and excellent multi-head steam showers. The extremely low-key property doesn't have a full restaurant or pool on site, but it does offer free breakfast in its bright little lobby lounge (where free coffee is available throughout the day) and the beach is a four-minute walk away. Travelers looking for a South Beach boutique hotel with just a touch more glitz and easier beach access could check out Essex House Hotel, though the shower experience will less memorable.
Stains on the furniture and inconsistent service: The Starlite's a rough-hewn crash pad, but the Ocean Drive location is great -- just across the street from the beach and near booze-hawking establishments like Wet Willie's. But for about the same price, you can get a much better (and quieter) room at the Essex.
Stains on the furniture and inconsistent service: The Starlite's a rough-hewn crash pad, but the Ocean Drive location is great -- just across the street from the beach and near booze-hawking establishments like Wet Willie's. But for about the same price, you can get a much better (and quieter) room at the Essex.