Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
305-538-4361;
www.aquamiami.com
; 1530 Collins Ave; r $150-180, ste
from $200; )
A front desk made of shiny surfboard sets the mellow tone at this former motel - the old,
family kind where the rooms are set around a pool. That old-school vibe barely survives
under the soft glare of aqua spotlights and an alfresco lounging area. The sleekness of the
rooms is offset by quirky furniture and deep blue sea bathrooms.
Catalina Hotel
BOUTIQUE HOTEL
877-762-3477, 305-674-1160;
www.catalinahotel.com
;
1732 Collins Ave; r
from $200; )
The Catalina is a lovely example of midrange deco style. Most appealing, besides the play-
fully minimalist rooms, is the vibe - the Catalina doesn't take itself too seriously, and staff
and guests all seem to be having fun as a result. The back pool, concealed behind the main
building's crisp white facade, is particularly attractive and shaded by a large grove of trop-
ical trees.
Clay Hotel
HOTEL
305-534-2988, 800-379-2529;
www.clayhotel.com
; 1438 Washington Ave;
r $100-190; )
Hotels are always nicer when they come packaged in a 100-year-old Spanish-style villa.
The Clay has clean and comfortable rooms, not too flashy but hardly spartan, located in a
medina-like maze of adjacent buildings. If you're on a budget, but don't want dorm-y
hostel atmosphere, head here. This is one Miami place where Al Capone got some shut-
eye.
Cavalier South Beach
BOUTIQUE HOTEL
305-531-3555;
www.cavaliersouthbeach.com
; 1320 Ocean Dr; r $129-155,
ste $229; )
The exterior is a rare Ocean Dr example of the Mayan/Incan inspiration that graced some
deco facades (look for Mesoamerican details like the step pattern on the sides of the build-
ing). Inside? The Cavalier sacrifices ultrahip for Old Florida casualness, which is refresh-
ing.
