The Clifton Hotel

The friendly staff and the hotel’s distinctive vibe won us over. Its location is hard to beat for exploring South Beach. The furniture is older, but it fits the hotel’s look and adds to its charm. We also really liked having a Nespresso machine in the room and at breakfast.

There’s a good range of breakfast choices, and you can eat out on the front patio while watching people go by. The hotel has a great art deco style and lots of history. Rooms are on the small side, which is what you’d expect in a building this age. It’s in a great spot, just one block from Ocean Drive. If you’re in a front-facing room, the road can be a bit noisy at night on weekends. Earplugs will sort it.

The location worked well for us: restaurants, shops, paid parking, and the beach were nearby. We also appreciated the free beach towels, folding chairs, and umbrellas, the in-room safe, good Wi-Fi, and clean rooms. Breakfast came with the stay, though it was quite basic, and some staff were friendly. One person even found me a scale for weighing my luggage. The biggest problem was the noise from upstairs. We were on the first floor, and every step on the wooden floor above came through. It was unbearable, and I’ve never encountered anything like it anywhere else. The old building also had a strong mold smell as soon as we walked in. They tried to mask it with perfume, but the two smells mixed and clung to our clothes. Our room was small, with barely any storage. There were four of us, so we kept our clothes in our suitcases. The beds were small, with uncomfortable spring mattresses, and we could hear everything from the nearby rooms and hallway. Housekeeping in the rooms next to ours happened right at noon, when most people were resting. I first wanted to give the hotel a 1, but objectively I’d put it at 6-7 and let you decide what it deserves. I personally wouldn’t stay here again or recommend it. Honest reviews help travelers, since a bad stay can spoil a vacation you’ve planned and looked forward to for a long time. Thank you!

The shower was old and the water pressure weak, but that was the only downside. My friend and I stayed for four days and were very pleased. The staff were polite and friendly, the room was clean, the air conditioning worked well, and breakfast was hearty and good.