Boutique 18

Without any grounds or extras to speak of, this tiny boutique hotel is more about utility than ambience, but that doesn’t mean its interiors are neglected. With quirky wall prints, studded lipstick-red polyester chairs, and modern ceiling lamps, the slightly cramped reception area looks chic. Self-serve coffee- and-tea-making facilities and cold refreshments are casually laid out next to the front desk. It’s not fancy, but the hotel’s functionality is popular among both tourists and business travelers who want to stay somewhere simple and reliable. Families often choose the hotel for the kitchens in the rooms and low rates. 

Enjoying a central Miami Beach location, the hotel is surrounded by business, entertainment, dining, and nightlife areas, but manages to stay quiet at night. The Miami Beach Convention Center is a four-minute walk away, and it takes the same amount of time to reach South Beach in the other direction. The Jackie Gleason Theater of Performing Arts is a three-minute walk away. The shops and cafes on Lincoln Road and the Miami Beach Botanical Garden are both 12 minutes away on foot. Further out, South Pointe Park is a 13-minute drive away or 20 minutes away by public transport (several bus lines run from stops that are within a five-minute walk from the hotel.) Miami International Airport is about 20 minutes away by car. 

Rooms are available as Queen or King Studios for two, or Deluxe Studios, Deluxe Queen Studios, and One-Bedroom Apartments accommodating up to four people. Light hardwood floors are topped with neutral whites and blacks in the polyester sofas, bed frames, linens, and bedside tables. The look is modern and bright, but some guests have noted that space can be tight, and there’s a slight humid odor in the air (probably common, given Miami Beach’s climate). However, air-conditioning is provided, along with safes, ironing equipment, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. Toasters, microwaves, mini-fridges, and coffee- and tea-making facilities are also available in all rooms. Larger rooms come with small kitchenette areas with sinks, along with dining areas and extra seating. Some rust has been spotted on the stainless-steel appliances, but overall, rooms are clean. Bathrooms, outfitted fully in white, are small in standard studios, with walk-in showers and handheld showerheads. Some bathrooms also include rainfall showerheads. Wall-mounted toiletry dispensers and hairdryers are provided.

Each room is accessed from the street, with key code access instead of card keys and no interior locks. Some guests have noted this as a safety concern, but many others don’t seem bothered by the system. 

As expected from a small boutique hotel in the city center, amenities are limited here. There’s no pool, restaurant, gym, or spa, and no business center or meeting rooms. A substantial resort fee covers beach towels, beach chairs, and breakfast. Breakfast offerings include cereal, bread, bagels, spreads, pastries, and juices. Guests have noted that the towels are thin and aren’t provided unless requested, and the selection of continental food is limited. 

There’s no parking lot on-site, but the hotel has negotiated fees with private parking at a nearby lot, where reservations aren’t needed. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.