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.
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 92-room Days Inn North Beach is a budget property and typical Days Inn that happens to be located in an exceptional spot, just across a palm-lined street from the beach and ocean. On-site amenities include a small pool and sundeck lined with orange loungers plus a casual grill with outdoor terrace. This bright property has a Floridian feel, especially in the pleasant rooms, which are decorated in cheery oranges and yellows and stocked with mini-fridges, microwaves, and flat-screen TVs; some have oceanfront or partial ocean views. Convenient extras include laundry facilities and a game room with both pool tables and ping-pong tables. But travelers should be aware of some extra fees, including a resort fee, fee for parking, and fee for Wi-Fi in the room. San Juan Hotel offers another budget option with more modern rooms.
The 92-room Days Inn North Beach is a budget property and typical Days Inn that happens to be located in an exceptional spot, just across a palm-lined street from the beach and ocean. On-site amenities include a small pool and sundeck lined with orange loungers plus a casual grill with outdoor terrace. This bright property has a Floridian feel, especially in the pleasant rooms, which are decorated in cheery oranges and yellows and stocked with mini-fridges, microwaves, and flat-screen TVs; some have oceanfront or partial ocean views. Convenient extras include laundry facilities and a game room with both pool tables and ping-pong tables. But travelers should be aware of some extra fees, including a resort fee, fee for parking, and fee for Wi-Fi in the room. San Juan Hotel offers another budget option with more modern rooms.
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.