Sense South Beach

Douglas Hanks5/13/2010

18 cheap(er), quiet(er), chic and largely undiscovered rooms in SoBe...

What's New: The whole shebang. This little 18-room hotel opened at the start of last summer, an ambitious dive into a hostile lodging market. In the South of Fifth section of South Beach, it sits on a corner a block away from the beach. The hotel boasts a sleek look that is South Beach de rigeur, with an elevator so dark you'll be blind if you enter wearing sunglasses. The rooms feature bold art on the walls and loungey furniture, and generally scream chic. Balconies let you enjoy the fresh air outside - something that can be hard to do in a typical boxed-in South Beach boutique. There's a rooftop pool with ample deck space for sunning above the streetside din.

Bragging Rights: Sense has sensors in its rooms to adjust the air conditioning so it doesn't waste energy while a guest is away.

Caveat Emptor: Though the lobby has space for a restaurant, it hasn't opened yet.

Best for: Someone looking for a cheaper and quieter South Beach experience, where the pool is a must and room service not so much.