PRICE:
Frommer's Exceptional

Cozy-mod best describes this diminutive Deco hotel built in 1936. A 1995 renovation greatly improved on the original design of this simple three-story property, which has hosted the likes of Cameron Diaz and Madonna; and a 2002 renovation, which added a more urban, industrial feel to the place with dark woods, backlit glass, and very sleek contemporary furniture, continues to attract a lively local crowd to the small but sleek lobby bar and basement-level hot spot, Metro Kitchen + Bar. Though the hotel hasn't been as sceney (a la the Delano) as it once was, it has already begun to experience a hipster revival thanks to the fact that Metro, as it's more commonly known, is co-owned by Nicola Siervo, the owner of South Beach's celeb central Mynt. Another plus is that what used to be a minute pool has been converted into an outdoor dining garden.

The hotel's rooms are still small but very soothing, featuring plush and luxurious details -- brand new Frette linens and towels, new carpeting, funky custom mood lighting with dimmer switches, and incredibly plush mattresses that are difficult to leave. I especially recommend the rooms overlooking the courtyard, for their views and for a bit more serenity than that which is afforded in rooms overlooking the street. Views are probably the worst thing about this hotel, as most rooms face the street or a neighboring seedy hotel. The hotel staff is known for its extreme attentiveness -- especially Arturo, the hotel's Cheers-y bartender who actually knows everybody's names and their drinks of choice. Celeb alert: Justin Timberlake, Cameron Diaz, American Idol's Ryan Seacrest, the irksome Hilton sisters, DMC from Run DMC, and dubious celeb O. J. Simpson have all been spotted hanging at Metro Kitchen + Bar.

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

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