South Beach Condo/Hotel

The South Beach Condo/Hotel's Art Deco design and orange, teal, and lavender facade set it apart from the neighboring boxy beach hotels. A parking lot buffers the hotel from the busy street, while painted dolphin statues and a large treasure chest mural on the driveway greet guests entering the building. The lobby is small, with lavender walls, bright and kitschy beach decor, and pamphlets about local tours and activities. A cheery color scheme continues through the teal open-air hallways. The hotel caters to families and couples on vacation; business travelers don't tend to stay here. Because the building is set back from the water, you can't hear the sound of the waves. Instead there's a nice gulf breeze and lots of silence. And a beach trail runs behind the building, which is popular among runners and cyclists. 

Not to be confused with the other South Beach in Florida, this hotel is on Treasure Island, a gulf-side barrier island about 30 minutes from Tampa. The property is set on the beach and has good water views, but it takes five to ten minutes to walk to the public beach access point. There's a grocery store about two minutes away by car (or a 15 minute walk). This is a busy vacation area; it's full of other hotels, motels, and a mix of chain and local restaurants, many of which are within a ten minute walk of the hotel. 

All 40 of the hotel's suites have water views and private balconies that look out on the gulf. Rooms are painted in with tropical hues, including coral, sky, and sand-colored walls. Tile floors help make the units feel a bit more upscale, and the furniture is bold -- a mix of leather, glass-top tables, and geometric print upholstery -- that could feel kitschy or loud to some. Guests can choose between One Bedroom Suites, which have one bath and a sleeper sofa, or Two Bedroom Suites, which have two baths, a pull-out couch, and can sleep up to six people. Kitchens in all units are prepared for longer stays, with microwaves, toasters, ovens, dishwashers, coffee makers, and utensils. There are also large flat-screen TVs, a washer and dryer, and free Wi-Fi in each unit. Rooms on the fourth floor and above have the best views, and are a little quieter.

From the street it looks a bit like a standard motel, but the South Beach Condo/Hotel is packed with amenities that most budget beach hotels don't offer. Behind the hotel are two shuffleboard courts (a Florida staple), a sandy horseshoe pit, and a patio area with tables and a charcoal BBQ. Across a swath of lawn, a few hammocks are strung between palms. A rectangular heated swimming pool sits off to one side of the property, fenced in and surrounded by orange and teal lounge chairs. Next to the pool, a mural of dolphins is painted on the hotel wall. Inside, off the covered garage, is a ping-pong table room with a vending machine. Guests heading to the beach can use loaner chairs and umbrellas. One parking space is available for each unit, and many of the spaces are covered, which can help keep cars cool on hot Florida afternoons.