HotelChatter

Room reaction: As you can tell from the photos, not a hair was out of place when we walked into room 112, a standard Queen. The bed was neatly made, with a knitted coverlet draped across the foot of the bed, an adorable wooden desk faced the window, and there were even little pockets in the curtains that contained sprigs of lavender. Yes, we felt right at home.

Due to it being a corner room, we got a great amount of natural light coming through the windows, though the rooms are naturally bright because of the hardwood floors and light furniture. The space is certainly small compared to other Miami hotels, but everything is quaint and well-positioned, so the size never really bothered us.

Bathroom: The bathroom was probably the worst part of our experience, since the shower didn't work initially (water only ran from the bathtub faucet), and we had to ask someone to come fix it. Plus, there's no counter space to speak of, just a flimsy metal storage unit on the floor that holds extra towels and toiletries.

One plus, however: free travel size toothpaste tubes!

Public spaces: This is where the hotel really shined. Sure, the lobby is relatively simple, but out back there is a lovely courtyard with a few lounge chairs, a communal dining table, and a small soaking pool. Behind the pool, there is a large wooden gazebo that hangs over a luxurious wooden bench. Ideal for lazing away an afternoon, slowly waking up in the morning, or as a temporary work space (as was the case with us). Even better, the courtyard remained completely empty the whole morning we spent there, so aside from the occasional staff member passing through, we felt like we had the whole place to ourselves.

Bottom line: Though breakfast is $15 extra, WiFi was included in our rate of $160/night, and, considering the location and the service, we figured that was pretty reasonable. Another $150 might get you a flashy brand or a hip-and-happening cocktail lounge, but the hotel's classic style, and playful Art Deco design, left us plenty satisfied. The party certainly isn't happening at Cadet, but, sometimes, that's kind of a good thing.

[Photos: HotelChatter]