Miami South Beach on a Student Budget

The Clay Hotel is a decent place to stay for the budget-minded traveler to Miami. The location is terrific--two blocks from the beach, across the street from major nightclubs, and directly on Espanola Way, home to the weekly Sunday open-air market. It is also just a few blocks from the attractions of Lincoln Road.

My first impression of the hotel was that of frustration. I couldn't find my room--perhaps because the "multilingual" staff explained the directions in Spanish. I understood half of what he said, but figured I'd find it on my own. Well, after lugging my suitcase around the main building, through a courtyard, and up the stairs, I found a maid who explained that my room was actually in another building across the street!

Well, I found my room--I had a single with a private bath. The room was typical hostel-small, with a single bed, nightstand, phone, and my own bathroom. It was decorated in a tropical style, with lots of Florida pink. My room was technically one of their hotel rooms, as opposed to hostel rooms, which are the shared dorm-style rooms.

The single-sex dorm rooms are about $25/night, whereas mine was $80. I was there in winter, and prices go down in the off-peak summer months.

I didn't spend much time in the hotel itself. The lobby had friendly and helpful staff, there were all sorts of tourist brochures in a rack when you come in. There's also a room with lockers of different sizes to store your valuables. Upstairs is a lounge/computer room with pay Internet access.

The Venetian Pool is an absolutely beautiful and historic swimming hole in Coral Gables. Formed from a coral quarry in 1923 and renovated in 1989, it is now listed as an historic treasure on the National Registry of Historic Places.

Along with the 820,000 gallons of water, there are rock caves, grottos, and children's wading areas surrounded by Italian architecture. The building has locker rooms, a restaurant and snack bar.

The pool is open year round, closed on Mondays except in the summer when it is open 7 days a week. Hours vary, usually opening at 10 or 11am, and closing between 4:30 and 7:30pm depending on the day of the week and time of year.

Rates are also variable, with non-residents of Coral Gables charged $9.50 April through October, and $6.25 November through March.

I was there on a weekday in the spring and it was nearly deserted, only about five other people were there. It was great having it all to myself, and made for a nice romantic place to swim amidst the waterfalls with my honey.