I joined a cruise at the last minute, and finding affordable flights was tricky -- I realized it would be cheaper to stay in Miami for one day after the cruise and fly back the next morning. I chose to spend the day in South Beach (I've been there several times before) and simply needed a clean hotel for one night. The Kent had an excellent price, and I booked it directly through their website.

They had one room available at noon (four hours before the official check-in time), but the front desk clerk warned me that it was on the 2nd floor facing the main street. Instead of waiting for another room to open up, I decided to take it -- since I already live in a city, I'm very used to traffic noise. The room was a very nice size and clean; but it is clear that you are in an older, art deco-era building -- concrete walls, older windows, etc. But those attributes are typical of all the boutique hotels along Collins Avenue.

What was very apparent to me was the noise -- not from the street traffic, but from inside the hotel. Besides the bed, there is nothing in the room that would absorb sound -- no carpet or rug, no upholstered furniture, no drapes, etc. (The windows have shades.) All sound is echoed and amplified, and it travels down the hall from other rooms. I could clearly hear the television in the room next door, and a dog barking somewhere down the hall. Plus the voices of other guests when they were in the hallway. Other reviewers used the term "dorm," and I think that's a good description of the noise level in the hotel.

The bathroom was completely tiled in a modern style, but strangely it lacked any countertops or shelves for toiletries, including in the shower. Nor were there any hooks. Between the bathroom and the stark room, it felt like the owner ran out of money before (s)he could finish installing the decor.

But to the positives... everything in the room worked and the bed was comfortable. The front desk also assisted me with reserving a car to take me to the airport early the next morning. And despite the ambient noise in the hotel, I popped a sleeping pill and slept soundly through the night.

In a future situation, I would certainly stay here again if I needed an affordable hotel for a night or two, but if I were looking for more resort amenities, I would consider the more expensive properties instead.

In September, 2012, I reserved a Saturday night in January, 2013. Today, 6 days before the reserved day, I received a surprise cancellation notice. My guess is that another party wanted the full weekend and I got bumped off. This is bad business. I called them for an explanation and they told me my card was declined for payment. I know I have 2 thousand available and the expiration date is 12/14. The day after they canceled, they no long have records of my credit card information. I looked up "Check Rates" on their web site immediately after the cancellation, and they are booked solid for the whole weekend. Something fishy going on by the beach. Be aware, you may get canceled or bumped off with short notice.

Hate to write negatively, but this hotel is terrible. Staff are friendly enough and the rooms are ok, but if your after a good night sleep this is not the hotel for you. We had a guy staying in a room next door who had music on until 3am as well as filling our room with the smell of weed all night. I tried ringing reception to complain 3 times but no one answered. Then at 5am in the morning deliveries started getting made across the street which was loud as which would have woken any one up. Then the cleaners were singing in the hall ways at 630am which was just as loud. Too top it all off the hot water ran out after one shower! Would definitley not stay here again!

What a find! Me and my girlfriend took a quick birthday vacation and arrived in Miami without any plans or where to stay. We stopped into almost every hotel in the area, and no one was nearly as nice and accommodating at the employees were at The Kent. The rooms were clean and bright with everything you would need to have a great stay. This was the second time we have stayed in this hotel, the first expire acne was no different. Smiling faces and very helpful staff suggested where we should eat and explore. Overall we had two excellent stays and would stay there every time we visit beautiful Miami.
Also, At the front desk, Francois (hope spelling is correct) was such an amazing help to our lack of knowledge of the area and was there at our every call with an answer. He instantly became a trusted friend and advisor.
Love this place. Great service, reasonable price, and comfortable rooms.