PRICE:
Frommer's Highly Recommended

An architectural masterpiece, originally designed in 1939 by internationally acclaimed architect Igor Polevitzky (of Havana's legendary Hotel Nacional fame), this sleek, modern, nautical-style hotel was once the local headquarters for Abbie Hoffman and the Students for a Democratic Society during the 1972 Democratic National Convention in Miami. Though it was totally renovated under the guidance of the hip hotel family, the Rubells, the hotel still maintains a neo-hippie democratic feeling of peace, love, and togetherness -- albeit with a hipster twist. Recently, however, the Albion has fallen off the hipster radar somewhat and is in desperate need of a sprucing up of its lobby and pool areas, which are showing serious signs of age. Despite its location 2 blocks from the beach, a large portholed pool and artificial beach are enough to keep you at the property and off the real beach. Rooms have been fully renovated -- no longer are they sterile and industrial chic, but much warmer and with color, taking a little of the edge off. Penthouse 9 is the hotel's most popular -- especially for private, in-room parties. The staff is wonderful and cookies at the registration desk make you feel as if you're a guest in someone's home and not a hotel. While there is no restaurant in the hotel, for lighter fare, the mezzanine-level Pantry provides snacks and continental breakfast items. For those looking for a scene, however, the Albion is definitely not the place to stay. It's more of a hotel for quiet, hip intellectual types rather than those who prefer to be on parade.

Copyright: Excerpted from Frommer's South Florida including Miami and Keys, 5th Edition, (c) 2008, Wiley Publishing, Inc.

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