The Clay Hotel and Hostel, Miami Beach

The wall sockets were too big to hold a blow dryer or even a phone charger. The hotel doesn't supply hand towels or wash cloths. The window in our bathroom didn't have a curtain, so we had no privacy. The closet had no doors. The only positive was the location.

The Clay Hotel used to be (two years ago) the great bargain in Miami Beach. No, it wasn't a deluxe hotel or even a flashy one, but it was cheap, and it offered cheap car parking too. That has all changed (comparing with December 2005). Now the rates have gone up ridiculously (more than doubling), and in no way can this be justified. At $60/night this is a steal; not at $120. Service is fairly limited. Location is good for shopping and eating, but far from the beach.

This was my first trip to Florida when I was able to stay at the Clay. Guests were great, location was wonderful, and staff was convenient.

I was traveling by myself and on a budget, and I'm really glad I found this place. The room was perfectly fine, certainly not luxurious, but functional and the location was excellent (2 blocks from the beach, my balcony looked over a Spanish-style plaza full of shops and restaurants). My only problem was the staff. If you'v ever been hostelling, this staff will be familiar. Young people with attitudes ranging from sweet and helpful to kind but bumbling, to absolutely willfully unhelpful. My only bad experience here was a front desk person who refused to make a reservation on the tour to the Everglades, for no apparent logical reason. If you're watching your money, want to experience south beach, and don't mind a no-frills lodging experience, I'd recommend this place. Just don't expect people to fall all over themselves trying to help you, and I'd recommend NOT taking the tours offered inside the hotel. The one city tour I did go on was just OK, and the everglades tour never worked out, as I've described here.