With basic but clean rooms, direct beach access, a nice pool, and an address on swank Collins Avenue, the low-key South Seas is one of the best values in SoBe -- if you can tolerate small bathrooms and a tiny gym with no air-conditioning.
With basic but clean rooms, direct beach access, a nice pool, and an address on swank Collins Avenue, the low-key South Seas is one of the best values in SoBe -- if you can tolerate small bathrooms and a tiny gym with no air-conditioning.
The Beacon is a South Beach "postcard hotel" — a term locals use for the oft-photographed Art Deco edifices that line Ocean Drive. And if a trip back to 1930s Miami sounds like a cool idea, this 75-room hotel delivers. Unfortunately, the realities of the modern world are inescapable: Rooms and bathrooms are cramped, there's no outdoor space, and the sounds of the non-stop party on the street below may disrupt your shuteye. Freebies that include breakfast and beach chairs are a nice touch, but there is no pool.
The Beacon is a South Beach "postcard hotel" — a term locals use for the oft-photographed Art Deco edifices that line Ocean Drive. And if a trip back to 1930s Miami sounds like a cool idea, this 75-room hotel delivers. Unfortunately, the realities of the modern world are inescapable: Rooms and bathrooms are cramped, there's no outdoor space, and the sounds of the non-stop party on the street below may disrupt your shuteye. Freebies that include breakfast and beach chairs are a nice touch, but there is no pool.
The 80-room Essex House Hotel is a bastion of Art Deco architecture and decor — so much so that groups of tourists regularly tramp through the lobby on guided tours. And that's not the only hubbub that disrupts this so-called "oasis of calm." The party at the adjacent Clevelander often continues into the wee hours, and the noise keeps some guests awake. On the plus side, there's a tiny pool in a lush, tropical courtyard, a feature that many South Beach hotels lack. Generous freebies include a basic continental breakfast, happy hour cocktails, and fresh towels to use at the beach across the street. Considering the location in the heart of South Beach, this hotel is a terrific value.
The 80-room Essex House Hotel is a bastion of Art Deco architecture and decor — so much so that groups of tourists regularly tramp through the lobby on guided tours. And that's not the only hubbub that disrupts this so-called "oasis of calm." The party at the adjacent Clevelander often continues into the wee hours, and the noise keeps some guests awake. On the plus side, there's a tiny pool in a lush, tropical courtyard, a feature that many South Beach hotels lack. Generous freebies include a basic continental breakfast, happy hour cocktails, and fresh towels to use at the beach across the street. Considering the location in the heart of South Beach, this hotel is a terrific value.
The 111-room Marseilles Hotel is a contemporary, upper-middle-range property with an excellent location on Collins Avenue, providing direct access to the beautiful beach. Bright rooms have pops of fun color, coffeemakers, and electronic safes, though they lack mini-fridges and only a few come with small balconies. While the beach is the main selling point, a good-sized outdoor pool with ample seating, daily free happy hours ($1 tip requested), and casual outdoor cafe are welcome features. Like most hotels in Miami, a resort fee covers Wi-Fi, beach loungers and an umbrella, and use of a business center. A tiny gym in the basement is available. Overall, this is an average pick for South Beach, with little that makes it stand out. It's worth comparing rates with the nearby Shelborne South Beach, which has more impressive rooms and a spa.
The 111-room Marseilles Hotel is a contemporary, upper-middle-range property with an excellent location on Collins Avenue, providing direct access to the beautiful beach. Bright rooms have pops of fun color, coffeemakers, and electronic safes, though they lack mini-fridges and only a few come with small balconies. While the beach is the main selling point, a good-sized outdoor pool with ample seating, daily free happy hours ($1 tip requested), and casual outdoor cafe are welcome features. Like most hotels in Miami, a resort fee covers Wi-Fi, beach loungers and an umbrella, and use of a business center. A tiny gym in the basement is available. Overall, this is an average pick for South Beach, with little that makes it stand out. It's worth comparing rates with the nearby Shelborne South Beach, which has more impressive rooms and a spa.
**This hotel sustained significant water damage during *Hurricane Irma* in September 2017 and is currently closed for repairs until the end of March 2018. We will update our review as soon as we have more information.** A beautifully designed hotel with pomp-free service at all levels -- from housekeeping to porters to private designated assistants -- The Tides brings rarely seen substance to the price tag. Though the hotel lacks direct beach access and the small pool is less than breathtaking, the huge, immaculate rooms more than compensate.
**This hotel sustained significant water damage during *Hurricane Irma* in September 2017 and is currently closed for repairs until the end of March 2018. We will update our review as soon as we have more information.** A beautifully designed hotel with pomp-free service at all levels -- from housekeeping to porters to private designated assistants -- The Tides brings rarely seen substance to the price tag. Though the hotel lacks direct beach access and the small pool is less than breathtaking, the huge, immaculate rooms more than compensate.
The historic 34-room Cadet -- Clark Gable's World War II home base -- offers a different type of South Beach experience. The Art Deco oasis has a vibe that's more bed-and-breakfast quaint than SoBe cool. A number of charming little touches (welcome fruit, lovely garden, personalized notes, nighttime chocolates) compensate for the lack of ocean views and party scene. For a beachfront boutique, consider the Townhouse Hotel.
The historic 34-room Cadet -- Clark Gable's World War II home base -- offers a different type of South Beach experience. The Art Deco oasis has a vibe that's more bed-and-breakfast quaint than SoBe cool. A number of charming little touches (welcome fruit, lovely garden, personalized notes, nighttime chocolates) compensate for the lack of ocean views and party scene. For a beachfront boutique, consider the Townhouse Hotel.
The stylish, off-the-beach Mondrian South Beach may lack the hyped-up clubber-clientele of its South Beach siblings, the Delano and Shore Club, but its still a party-centric pick. Its 335 rooms have modern beach-house-meets-nightclub decor, kitchenettes, and bathrooms with beautifully tiled rainfall showers and Malin + Goetz beauty products. The indoor/indoor Mondrian Bar and weekend pool parties draw well-heeled singles. Dream South Beach is a similarly hip party hotel on the other side of South Beach -- literally a one-minute walk from the beach.
The stylish, off-the-beach Mondrian South Beach may lack the hyped-up clubber-clientele of its South Beach siblings, the Delano and Shore Club, but its still a party-centric pick. Its 335 rooms have modern beach-house-meets-nightclub decor, kitchenettes, and bathrooms with beautifully tiled rainfall showers and Malin + Goetz beauty products. The indoor/indoor Mondrian Bar and weekend pool parties draw well-heeled singles. Dream South Beach is a similarly hip party hotel on the other side of South Beach -- literally a one-minute walk from the beach.
The 54-room Beach Park Hotel is a mid-range property with affordable rates right off Ocean Avenue in the Art Deco Historic District of South Beach. Rooms were renovated in 2017 and feature a contemporary Art Deco look, AC flat-screens, and mini-fridges, though the rest of the hotel maintains a classic Spanish look inside and out. There's no pool here, but a daily resort fee covers things like beach gear and Wi-Fi (but not parking). A third-party restaurant is on the ground level, plus numerous eateries and shops are nearby. The reasonable rates, location across the street from the beach, and lovely rooms are popular with young travelers looking for a place to crash between partying. Those wanting a similarly priced option with a more features may prefer the Bentley Hotel one block south.
The 54-room Beach Park Hotel is a mid-range property with affordable rates right off Ocean Avenue in the Art Deco Historic District of South Beach. Rooms were renovated in 2017 and feature a contemporary Art Deco look, AC flat-screens, and mini-fridges, though the rest of the hotel maintains a classic Spanish look inside and out. There's no pool here, but a daily resort fee covers things like beach gear and Wi-Fi (but not parking). A third-party restaurant is on the ground level, plus numerous eateries and shops are nearby. The reasonable rates, location across the street from the beach, and lovely rooms are popular with young travelers looking for a place to crash between partying. Those wanting a similarly priced option with a more features may prefer the Bentley Hotel one block south.
Small and unpretentious, the budget-friendly La Flora is not for those seeking the glitzy South Beach style of nearby hotels. But if a central location, friendly staff, and good value are key considerations, this unfussy boutique hotel more than delivers. La Flora offers a basic free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a free welcome cocktail in its lobby bar. Bustling Ocean Drive and the beach are a short walk away, as are many of the area's hottest restaurants, boutiques and clubs. While simply furnished, rooms are clean, bright and adequate in size, and some feature kitchenettes.
Small and unpretentious, the budget-friendly La Flora is not for those seeking the glitzy South Beach style of nearby hotels. But if a central location, friendly staff, and good value are key considerations, this unfussy boutique hotel more than delivers. La Flora offers a basic free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a free welcome cocktail in its lobby bar. Bustling Ocean Drive and the beach are a short walk away, as are many of the area's hottest restaurants, boutiques and clubs. While simply furnished, rooms are clean, bright and adequate in size, and some feature kitchenettes.
The Riviere South Beach Hotel is a modern, mid-range property with 19 rooms in the historic Art Deco district of South Beach. Although it lacks property features such as a restaurant and pool, the hotel is very well-situated for tourists, just a block off chic Ocean Drive and within a 10-minute walk of the beach. The grounds offer lovely, shaded seating areas, and minimalist guest rooms are bright and airy, and have several kitchen appliances. Breakfast and Wi-Fi are free. Guests may also want to consider Crest Hotel Suites, a few minutes north and just off Collins Avenue, with a pool and cafe on-site.
The Riviere South Beach Hotel is a modern, mid-range property with 19 rooms in the historic Art Deco district of South Beach. Although it lacks property features such as a restaurant and pool, the hotel is very well-situated for tourists, just a block off chic Ocean Drive and within a 10-minute walk of the beach. The grounds offer lovely, shaded seating areas, and minimalist guest rooms are bright and airy, and have several kitchen appliances. Breakfast and Wi-Fi are free. Guests may also want to consider Crest Hotel Suites, a few minutes north and just off Collins Avenue, with a pool and cafe on-site.