Upon entering the hotel, guests will immediately be greeted by a gray reception desk with a marbled countertop in a minimally decorated lobby without any seating. An industrial-looking staircase leads to the hotel’s second and third floor and there's no elevator. Off the lobby is JT’s VICE Coffee Bar and the business center, where guests can use computers or thumb through the large selection of local brochures kept in the lobby. The hotel is suited for travelers on a budget and the barebones feels a bit like a YMCA or a hostel, but without the party vibe.

The Miami Hotel is located in the heart of the entertainment district, a 20-minute walk from the Central Business District and near plenty of shops and restaurant. Flagstaff Gardens, the oldest and one of the most visited parks in Melbourne, is a 10-minute walk away, as is Queen Victoria Market, a 19th-century market that sells food, specialty delicacies, clothing, and handicrafts. There are plenty of buses in the area and the North Melbourne tram station is a 10-minute walk from the hotel. The airport is a 20-minute drive away.

The small rooms at the Miami Hotel come in a variety of bed setups, ranging from rooms with a single double bed up to spacious two-bedroom Family Rooms. Furniture is kept to a minimum. The beds have colorful but dated bedspreads that look like they're from the 1980s. Rooms come with wooden end tables and maroon curtains. Walls are devoid of artwork, but rooms do have flat-screen TVs with cable channels, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers. Although the hotel has a hostel-like ambience, dorm rooms are not available and all rooms come with en-suite bathrooms with walk-in showers. 

On the ground floor of the Miami Hotel, JT’s VICE Coffee Bar, named after the hotel's founder (the father of the current owner), is a sleek spot for breakfast or snacks with floor-to-ceiling windows. Organic coffee, pastries, and eggs are served. There is also a self-catering kitchen with pots and pans, microwaves, and a refrigerator where guests can store food labeled with their names, date, and room number. A small business center has computers and a printer, an ironing board, and a vending machine. There's also a coin-operated laundry room and the reception desk is open 24-hours.