Dorchester Hotel

Guests enter through a very atmospheric private courtyard lined with large palms and other native trees where there are chairs, tables, lounges, and an inviting “floating sunbed,” which is like a hammock on steroids. The busy street is just beyond the hotel's walls, and traffic, passersby, and late-night partiers keep the Dorchester from feeling like a private retreat. The pool is nice for a dip, but, again, nearby traffic and construction just behind the wall make it less than ideal as a place for a lazy, sun-drenched afternoon. For that, there's the beach club a block away. In the lobby and bar, there are fun Art Deco touches. Velvet-covered lobby sofas and armchairs give a nod to the period with their quirky 1920s shapes. The bar is done in black, white, and red, with large oil paintings on the walls and cool lighting fixtures, but the bright-white of the rest of the hotel keeps the 1920s vibe from feeling complete. The breakfast cafe is decorated in whites, silver, and attractive blue-velvet touches, which elevate it from being a run-of-the-mill motel breakfast room. Amid all these fun Deco features, the Dorchester is a bit worn and tired in places, and there are forgotten (and dated) aspects of the decor and architecture. But when it comes to location and value, the Dorchester puts guests squarely in the cool area of town, without emptying their wallets. Families with kids, friends traveling together, couples, and business travelers will likely all find what they need here, in a relaxed atmosphere, but without the extra frills that would make the Dorchester feel -- and actually be -- expensive.

The Dorchester Hotel is located on Collins Avenue in the heart of South Beach, a block from the ocean. The location is good for guests who want to explore South Beach’s nightlife, restaurant scene, and the historic Art Deco District. The Dorchester’s neighboring sister property, the Marseilles Miami Beach Hotel (where guests have beach club privileges) is a two-minute walk away. The Miami Beach Convention Center is within a 10-minute walk, making the Dorchester a convenient choice for business travelers. For entertainment, the Fillmore Miami Beach Jackie Gleason Theater is a six-minute walk, and the New World Symphony and the Bass Art Museum are about five minutes away on foot. Ocean Drive, often dubbed the “American Riviera,” is four blocks from the hotel, and Lincoln Road Mall, with a variety of restaurants, shops, cafes, and clubs, is also an eight-minute walk away. The Port of Miami cruise ship terminal is a 15-minute drive, and Miami International Airport is about a 25-minute drive.

Rooms at the Dorchester Hotel come in three varieties: Doubles, Junior Suites, and One Bedroom Apartment Suites, most with “city views,” which are not a selling point -- a few rooms face concrete walls; these are, however, quiet, while rooms near the bar or near the street, between traffic and partying guests, can get noisy at night. Earplugs are not a bad idea here. Decor is simple, almost plain, without any of the Art Deco flair of the hotel’s common areas. Spaces are relatively tight, with small freestanding wardrobes. Bathrooms, all with shower/tub combos, are done in beige tile, and would be cramped for two people; there's no counter space beyond the sink. While they're fine, they could use a style and fixture update. Suites are far more spacious and stylish, with abstract art on the walls, fun area rugs, and bright pops of color. Suite kitchenettes come with two-burner stoves, fridges, microwaves, toasters, a few pots and pans, dishes, and glassware. All rooms include flat-screen TVs with premium channels, safes, and mini-fridges.

The Dorchester Hotel features a small pool and sundeck with overhanging tropical plants, good for a dip. Guests have beach club privileges, including use of two beach chairs and an umbrella, at the neighboring Marseilles Beach Resort, a two-minute walk away. There is a free happy hour daily at the hotel’s 1850 Bar, which is dark and atmospheric in the evenings. Breakfast is served daily in a bright breakfast cafe, but isn't included in the room rate. The fitness center is cramped and worn, with low ceilings and machines nearly overlapping one another, plus the treadmill, bike, and a few other pieces of cardio and weight equipment are somewhat dated. There's a coin-operated laundry facility on-site, which is convenient for guests on extended stays.