South Seas Hotel, Miami Florida, Review
Great Value at a Reasonable Price in Miami's South Beach
May 18, 2009
With direct beach access and a convenient central location, the South Seas hotel is an excellent option for anyone who can’t afford the luxury hotels that dot the famous strip of sand and surf in south Florida. Located in the heart of Miami’s Art Deco district, the building itself is a little old and slightly dingy-looking, as many of South Beach’s hotels are, but it is very clean and well taken care of. Whether visiting the area for business, pleasure, or a little bit of both, the South Seas hotel offers visitors great value for the cost in over-priced South Beach.
A Great Location in South Beach
Located on oceanfront Collins Avenue, the South Seas hotel is mere steps away from some of Miami Beach’s best attractions. Take a short walk to pedestrian-friendly Lincoln Road and experience some of Miami’s best restaurants, galleries, and shops. A short walk down the boardwalk will take you to the lively and world-famous Ocean Drive, a must-see for anyone wanting to experience South Beach’s nightlife. The convention center and Jackie Gleason theater are also close by. All this only minutes’ drive from the airport.
Rooms at the South Seas Hotel
Small but adequate is the best way to describe the average room at the South Seas. Few rooms have any type of view, and don’t expect to have a balcony, but do expect clean, comfortable beds, fresh towels daily, and basic luxuries such as cable TV and an iron and ironing board. While the rooms leave a little to be desired, when vacationing in South Beach, it’s unlikely anyone will want to spend too much time in them anyway. If more luxurious accommodations are desired, pay about twice as much and stay at the nearby Delano or Ritz hotels.
Relax Poolside in Miami
Relaxing by the pool is a sublime pleasure. Depending on the time of day, one can either lie in the direct sun or cool off in the shade. The area is protected from the wind, so heat-worshippers can lie all day with barely a breeze. When it gets too hot either have a snooze in one of the dozen or so hammocks nestled under a canopy of leafy palm trees, or cross the boardwalk and head down to the beach – so close that shoes aren’t even required.
The poolside café, the Pilikia by the Pool, offers up a decent-sized menu of delicious food, and any cocktail one can conjure up. While the prices aren’t low, they’re fairly standard for the area. Go up to the bar and order, and the friendly staff will bring food and drinks right to the poolside lounge area, or have a seat in the relaxing indoor/outdoor café that overlooks the swimming area. Visit the bar once the sun goes down and the torches that light up the area will make it seem more like a tropical island than south Florida.
Amenities at the South Seas include free wireless Internet access, a small fitness room, complimentary newspapers, and on-site ATM. An average complimentary continental breakfast is also included.For a complete list of amenities, visit their website.
While the South Seas will never be mistaken for one of the better-known luxury hotels that Miami is famous for, this boutique-style hotel certainly offers guests a more than pleasant vacation experience for a comparably reasonable price.
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