Conceived as a cool-cheap chillout pad in South Beach, TownHouse opened its doors in Summer 2000 with a playful combination of modern design and homey comfort. Located on the beach at 20^th Street and Collins Avenue, the hotel is conveniently located next to many of the Art Deco district's hotspots, including the shops and cafes of Lincoln Road.

"It's meant to be a fresh, simple, fun place to be," says owner Jonathan Morr, whose previous successes include hip restaurants Bond St. and Republic in downtown Manhattan.  Morr is also celebrated in Miami for having opened Blue Door - the Delano Hotel’s restaurant. "The theme is conveyed in both the design- cool, old-fashioned, a bit irreverent even- and the unassuming prices."

Built in 1939, the six-story building has been creatively redefined by young Paris-based designer India Mahdavi, who the press has recently hailed as "the next big thing in the world of design." Townhouse features 69 rooms, three penthouses, and affordable rates from $135 to $395.

"The idea was to create a happy, unpretentious place for people who have style but don't need to spend a lot of money," says the multicultural Mahdavi. "People who just want to hang around somewhere that's both edgy and fun."

Her flirty, quirky design achieves this end without sacrificing comfort for style's sake, as the rooftop terrace proves. A glow-in-the-dark water tower serves as its centerpiece, encased in glass and equipped with surround sound stereo guests can enjoy while being sprayed and splashed by cool, refreshing water. Outdoor queen-size waterbeds and huge red umbrellas provide for a soothing sunbath. Undoubtedly, the terrace has become one of the hottest and coolest places to be on the beach.

The hallways have been re-invented by Mahdavi with equal flippancy. The fatter-than-usual corridors are hangout environments, soundtracked in stereo and stocked with benches, newspapers and comics. A water fountain and gym machine- ideal for pre-beach buffing- are also located at the end of each corridor.

The guest rooms offer another fun, trippy take on relaxation, utilizing a minimum of furniture for maximum leisure. Oversized baby blue pillows adorn each bed, complementing giant round poufs and rugs in beige, scarlet and baby blue.  L-shaped couches and oversized poufs could double as crash pads for overnight guests, who aren't charged for their stay. Flowered cardinal red sexy lampshades match old-timey fire engine red telephones with modern features like voice mail and data ports. Each room also contains a TV, VCR, fridge and safe.

Downstairs, South Beach's tastiest sushi is served at Bondst Lounge- a Miami version of Morr's successful Manhattan restaurant. Hot and cold appetizers are offered, and on weekends DJs serve up the latest vinyl delicacies.

Adjacent to the lounge is the lobby, which reinforces the Townhouse's homey vibe with equal touches of modernity and mischief. Self-service laundry machines are available, as well as a library of CDs, videos, and magazines provided for guests. From 7AM to 11AM, complimentary Parisian breakfast is offered, and affordable snacks and beverages are available around the clock. Outdoor swings on the front terrace cater to any lazy lounging for the post-beach haze.

Fashion designer Stephane Parmentier offers his Townhouse Beach Collection- an assortment of hip, comfortable terry-cloth beachwear  for those who need clothing for their creative loafing. Whimsically rounding out the offerings are 2-person bicycles & scooters, which fun-loving individuals can borrow to cruise around the beach.