Catalina Hotel Miami Beach

catalina is located on collins between 17th and 18th. seems like most of the "good" clubs pick up about 13th or so and run south from there. cab ride back to the hotel cost me $5. on either side of the hotel sits the maxine and dorchester hotels. i dont know if all 3 are owned by the same people but i had access to everything in each. the extras of the other other hotels adds to the experience so i'll add a few deatils on them also. the dorchester has a suishi bar in the lobby and a rooftop pool and bar. a vodka and crandberry set me back $13 (standard for south beach). i heard someone else order a 12 ounce can of soda ($4) and bottled water ($6).

the maxine has a restaurant/ bar in the lobby. look towards the back and you can see the entrance to the pool.

when you check in they'll explain all the amenities available. half way through the "spill" i just smiled. seemed like so much stuff.

go to the maxine pool and get a pass. walk to 18th (2minutes) cross collins and 75 yards you're on the sand. the catalina section is just barely to the right with the red umbrellas. the pass gets you 2 chairs(with pads) and umbrellas. all the stuff and towels have to be turned in by 6 or they charge you for it. speaking of charge. the valet is $32 per night. that seemed excessive.

happy hour. ah, happy hour. its from 7-8pm. most people congregated during this time. it was a great way to meet people, or catch up and swap stories with people you've already met. i met people from NYC, isreal, turkey, sweden, detroit, jersey, even someone in TN 3 hours from me. danny kept the drinks coming fast and strong. i wont say how many i had....lol.... but say you but have 3 (vodka and crandberry). you just saved $40.

OK Folks if you are over 35 like me and my lovely bride are this hotel is not for you. The pictures they have on the travel sites are scandalous. This place was an ugly mess, rooms barely cleaned adequately, noisy as hell, and the had this garish RED shag rug all over the place. The rug in front of our door was not vacuumed for 4 out of the 6 days we were there.

Absolutely sucked. only thing good was 1 block away from the beach. but then so was the Days Inn for half the price and they were right on the beach.