We went to the drug store and bought the cleanser and rubber gloves and scrubbed the bathroom clean. After that, the only real problem we had was the exposed flourescent light on the ceiling. I have to admit that the first room we tried had terrible beds but the second was good. Ask for room 308: Nice beds, and the bathroom's clean, now!

The carpet in that room was newer than the first, too. The pool is pretty sad but it would keep a little kid happy if they didn't like the ocean. And if you're into refridgerators and keeping food and drinks in your room, they all have that. Some even have mini kitchens, great with little kids. Keeps you out of the expensive restaurants. Feed the kids in the room and then buy them french fries and ice cream at the restaurant.

So, if you want a room for under $100 that's close enough to be your beach bathroom, go for it. In that part of town (17th on Collins) there aren't any public beach bathrooms, so, it matters. The big fancy hotels on the beach will most definitely not allow you in to relieve yourself, so, this room gives you a nice, close personal potty. But don't be surprised if the town drunk is perched on the front porch, asleep. There's no one watching the outside, even though it's on a busy part of Collins.

A few blocks south is a great deli and a great restaurant called Grillfish. Fab.

I'll go back and spring for a better room next time. It was beautiful!

The hotel is ok. After reading lots of reviews I expected something worse what I ve got. The beds are clean, carpet is ok, there is TVset. Light is not bright in the room and when you do make up at night, it is kind of dark. And one more thing- there is some smell in the hotel, I believe it is becuase of the swimming pool they have. All your clothes and eevrything smells like chlorine. But when i came back home to VA, and opened my suitcase, i started to miss Miami right away, coz the smell reminded me it. Great lacation! Do not eat next do at Cubian restaurant, their food is [----]!!!! Anyway check out pics.

small, needs remodeling. Kinda clean. u get what u paid for.

A party of 8 of us stayed at the San Juan over New Years. I was a little apprehensive after reading some of the reviews (among the group were my parents), but I must say that the San Juan is a fine place to base yourself if you want to explore South Beach and not pay $300 for a room.

Here are some of the positives:

1) Location, location, location. SJ is on Collins Ave (A1A/Ocean Dr.), 1/2 block from Lincoln Ave., and 1 block from the beach. You don't get much more central for the price

2) Friendly staff. They might not speak impecable English, but they are friendly and helpful. It seems to be a fairly small staff and it feels as if they know each other quite well. Think Fawlty Towers...

3) Cleanliness. Some people have complained about dirty beds. Perhaps the hotel took the complaints to heart. When we stayed there, the mattresses seemed to be brand-new and the sheets and towels were impecably clean.

There are some negatives, but they're mostly the result of the hotel class. Budget means budget. You don't get much for $100-$150 in South Beach. Yes, the tvs are old (what are you doing watching tv anyway?), the plumbing is old (lukewarm showers are the norm) and every room seems to have an alley view. These are not rooms to hang out in. If you want that, pay the $300 to stay at the Nationale across the road and stop whining!