In the El Cid historic district, this 1940s-era motel has gotten a fun, stylish revamp from designer Barbara Hulanicki. Each room has a vibrant mélange of colors, along with handcrafted mirrors, mosaic bathroom floors, and custom mahogany furnishings. Luxury touches include Egyptian-cotton sheets, down pillows and duvets, and lavender-scented closets. The hotel is one block from the Intracoastal Waterway and about a mile from Clematis Street nightlife, and the lobby bar attracts a hip happy-hour crowd. Pros: cool design; close to nightlife. Cons: water pressure is weak; bathrooms are tiny; noisy when the bar is open late.
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