Beach Place Hotel

Set in a quiet neighborhood dotted with other hotels, Beach Place is a no-frills property suited to families and travelers who don't mind being removed from the flashier Miami center. There's a parking lot out front, and a stone walkway leads up to the front doors of the two-story, yellow stucco building. Inside, the small lobby is bright and simple, with several potted tropical plants setting off brown tile floors, pale gray couches with yellow zig-zag-patterned pillows, and a glass-topped turquoise table. In the lobby there are a Nespresso coffee machine (with drinks for sale), an ice machine, a display of area brochures, and a single PC at a desk for guest use. The building encircles a lovely rectangular pool, whose brick deck is lined with light brown lounge chairs and some tables with striped umbrellas. Palm trees, somewhat mangy shrubbery, and pretty, bright pink flowers lend some cheer throughout the grounds, though everything looks and feels a bit past its prime.

The Beach Place Hotel is located in a quiet neighborhood of North Miami Beach. There are some other hotels in the area, but little else in the way of food or entertainment, other than a burger joint a couple of minutes' walk away. A quiet beach is located within a five-minute walk -- across the street and through North Shore Open Space Park. South Beach and downtown Miami are about a 20-minute drive from the hotel -- buses stop within a minute of the hotel for access to these locations. Surfside Beach is less than five minutes away by car, and the Bar Harbour Shops are about five to 10 minutes' drive. 

Rooms at the Beach Place Hotel are nothing fancy, but do provide some nice conveniences for guests on a budget. Standard Double rooms have two full beds, and either flat-screen or tube-style TVs, along with mini-fridges, safes, coffeemakers, and simple white bathrooms with toiletries and shower/tub combos. Decor is fairly dated and dark, particularly the brown-patterned carpeting and green curtains, though the white bedding with bright turquoise and green accents is somewhat refreshing, along with pale wood furnishings and framed prints of beach scenes. Superior Double and Deluxe King rooms have small kitchenettes with tile floors, microwaves, sinks with cabinetry, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers. Rooms are air-conditioned, though some guests have found it pretty weak, and cleanliness may be an issue in some rooms. 

The best feature of the Beach Place is its easy access to a quiet beach, as there's not much on offer at the property itself. The outdoor pool is lovely and quite spacious, with lounge chairs and tables with umbrellas for unwinding after a day out. Wi-Fi and parking -- which is tough to find in Miami -- are free, and the lobby has a computer for guest use. Laundry machines are available on-site, and the lobby has an ATM, a coffee machine with Nespresso drinks for sale, and an ice machine.