I spent the week of 9/22 - 9/29 at The Park Central, on Ocean Drive right across from Lummus Park and the beach. Given its location, it is a good value for the money. The staff we encountered was good, friendly, and helpful. As do most on Ocean Drive, the hotel has outdoor restaurant seating in front on the sidewalk. The meals we ate were good and comparable (even less expensive in some cases) to other restaurants on the street. The interior and pool area are nicely appointed. The lobby and halls are somewhat dimly lit, but this is in keeping with the art deco style of the period these hotels were built. I stayed in room 514. It was nicely appointed, spacious enough for my wife and me to move around, and in a quiet location (except for noisy neighbors a couple nights). It is right next to the stairs that led only upward to the rooftop deck on the 6th floor, but since an elevator also goes to that floor, we had no problems with guest traffic going up. The bathroom was clean and in good shape, although small for two people to use simultaneously. Our room rate (they all may) included two beach lounge chairs. You can obtain beach umbrellas for $15 from the attendant on the beach directly in front of the hotel (check in with him before picking out your chairs, as it is a city-run concession, just tell him your hotel and room number). You can check out beach towels from the desk “behind” the elevator but must return them by 10pm or be charged for them. Being across from the beach, it's convenient for day or night swims in the ocean (beach closes from midnight to 5am). We stayed during one of the hotel’s Summer Swing evenings on the rooftop exclusively for guests. They served complimentary popcorn and snacks/candy, had a "wheel of fortune" to spin and win items (towels, books, etc.), they played a modern black and white movie with Tom Arnold depicting the change from silent to talking films, had a small band (The Jazz Mafia) playing music from the 30s to 50s, and a dance team of two performing period dances and trying to involve guests in the dancing. It was a nice touch to our stay. I never felt unsafe in the area. Though on the more southern end of South Beach (SOBE), it is only a brisk 15 minute walk to Lincoln Blvd (this is an estimate as we never timed it), and even a little shorter to Espanola Way. If you want to catch the Big Bus Tour of Miami Beach and Miami (the red open top double decker buses), bus stop #4 where you can purchase tickets is only a couple minute walk away. For Starbucks-addicts, there is one located about a 5-minute walk at the northern end of Ocean, or one a little closer on Washington and 12th. For less expensive meals than those in restaurants on Ocean, you can often find good deals in restaurants/eateries on Washington or Collins. There is a Publix and discount stores in a parking mall on 5th and Alton as you enter the island from Miami (about a brisk 7-minute walk from the hotel. Parking is free for 2 hours. As far as parking while at Park Central, there is a garage on 7th Street, between Collins and Washington. Check in at the hotel first, and for $15/day (plus tax of about $1.05), you can get a pass card to self-park with unlimited in/out access; this was the best deal I could find. It takes only a couple minutes to walk there. Regarding parking: the garage attendants said they knew nothing of hotel parking passes; the city website says daily parking is available at $15 (though when I called the contact number on the website I was told it is now $20); the website also says monthly parking is available at $75/month which is more economical if staying 7 days, the attendants I spoke to upon arrival knew nothing of it. Unless you are traveling outside of the SOBE area, you won't really need a car and shouldn't plan to use it, as parking is very limited around town and usually metered. If driving, to unload at the hotel, turn right onto Ocean drive from 7th St. or higher and this will put you on the correct side of the road. If arriving by plane, don’t rent a car while in SOBE unless absolutely necessary as there are more economical ways to get to/from the airport.

This was our 4th stay at the park Central and as usual it didn't disappoint, the room was again lovely with a new, wall-mounted flat screen TV and a large, sumptuous bed. My only criticism would be that I think it is about time the bathrooms were upgraded, the shower is wall-mounted over a bath and I would have preferred a stand-alone shower, doing away with the Bath all together.
That being said, we really enjoyed The Park Central again, the staff were attentive and when called the reception for anything it was seen to in minutes.
The concierge got us a reservation at one of South Beach's top restaurants and cannot be thanked enough.
Overall? --- Brilliant!!

This art-deco hotel has very nice rooms. But be sure you ask one with seaview, so that means the expensive rooms in the front of the building, or the other rooms at the higher floors. When you are down low, you can end up with a view of the alley next to the hotel. The hotel is on Ocean Drive, so ideal for beach, food and just hanging around Miami Beach. The parking which the hotel offers is good, five minutes from the hotel and a quick get-a-way from Miami Beach. The food of the restaurant is great. The pool is rather small, looks much bigger on the internet. The rooftop terrace is nice, but not spectacular. The beds are good, the bathroom is small, but stylish and complete. The staff is nice, easy-going and relaxed. The free fruit at the counter, where you get your beachtowels for the reserved beds on the beach, are a nice touch. Yes, we had a great week here and would love to go back.

This is the second time we stayed at Park Central. The first time (2 years ago) was "ok" but the building seemed kind of "tired." We stayed again because we needed a room with 2 beds and had trouble finding anything that's was affordable. Park Central was so much less expensive that we were steeling ourselves for a disaster. Not the case at all! The room was large, spotless, with two queen sized beds. We were located on the 6th floor, right near the roof deck. Linens and towels seemed brand new. Employees were gracious and welcoming. Location is great, right across the park from the beach. We were very happy with our choice and will be back!