Starlite Hotel

The location felt like stepping into GTA vice city. I grew up playing it, so staying here brought back that childhood dream of being right in the middle of the game. The beach is about a five-minute walk, there’s a gelato store next door, and Ocean Drive has loads of food options. Target and CVS are close enough to walk to, too. Our room was spacious and really beautiful, with an ocean view and a comfortable bed. The hospitality staff were sweet and helpful. They took care of my needs and kept my things safe when I had to leave them there. The laundry room was handy, with a microwave and supplies. There’s a cleaning fee, but if you’re reasonably tidy, it feels fair. If noise doesn’t bother you, or you can work around it, this could be a good writers retreat.

For the price, I thought this was good value. The location is very good, and the reception staff are friendly. The bed was old, but comfortable. I didn’t see any bugs or insects on the floor. The rooms are old and don’t look like the photos, though, and hygiene felt somewhat below standard. The towels were especially bad and felt very dirty. They need to be replaced.

This worked perfectly as a base for beach days and late nights. You can walk to everything that matters in South Beach, and that’s the main thing here. The rooms are pretty much the same around South Beach, so I’d just pick the cheapest one. You didn’t come to Miami to sit in your room anyway. Location, location, location.

I stayed Jan 24th - Feb 1st and had a great time. The room was comfortable and amazing, and the service was wonderful. As someone who loves the beach, I couldn’t ask for a better location. I’m very thankful for the experience. When I’m back in Miami, starlite is where I’ll be!