Taking mom and sister to Miami...suggestions
Apr 17th, 2007, 10:22 PM
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Taking mom and sister to Miami...suggestions
Hi,
I will be taking my Mother and Sister for a 4-5 day vacation to Miami, following my graduation in mid May.
Neither of us have ever been to Miami before, and want to go for 4-5 days. We will be flying from either New York City or Philadelphia.
Could someone help us with suggestions on accomodations and things to do, here is some background info.
-We would like to stay in a safe neighborhood. I presume South Beach is the most central area for tourist related activities?
- We are looking for a full service hotel, nothing extra fancy like Ritz Carlton, but something equivalent to a big city full service Hyatt/Marriott
- We will not have a car
- We basically plan to spend the time shopping, some time on the beach, not too much since my Mom and Sister are not water people, they rather shop!
- Any suggestions on must do tourist sites, activities, evening/semi-day cruises?
- We enjoy eating out and would like to have multiple dining options since some of us in the group do not eat meat and seafood
I am very excited to get your suggestions as this trip is very important for us as a family.
Thanks a lot for your help,
AK
I will be taking my Mother and Sister for a 4-5 day vacation to Miami, following my graduation in mid May.
Neither of us have ever been to Miami before, and want to go for 4-5 days. We will be flying from either New York City or Philadelphia.
Could someone help us with suggestions on accomodations and things to do, here is some background info.
-We would like to stay in a safe neighborhood. I presume South Beach is the most central area for tourist related activities?
- We are looking for a full service hotel, nothing extra fancy like Ritz Carlton, but something equivalent to a big city full service Hyatt/Marriott
- We will not have a car
- We basically plan to spend the time shopping, some time on the beach, not too much since my Mom and Sister are not water people, they rather shop!
- Any suggestions on must do tourist sites, activities, evening/semi-day cruises?
- We enjoy eating out and would like to have multiple dining options since some of us in the group do not eat meat and seafood
I am very excited to get your suggestions as this trip is very important for us as a family.
Thanks a lot for your help,
AK
Apr 18th, 2007, 04:22 AM
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While not my favorite hotel in South Beach, it sounds like the Loews will suit your needs. It is walking distance from Lincoln Rd and from Ocean drive. You really would not need a car. (I would tell them you want to be in the main hotel and not in the old St. moritz annex).
As for food, well, South beach has so many choices. I would check out www.citysearch.com for restaurant choices.
if you want an area that is less trendy and less night-life oriented, then you might want to consider sunny isles in north miami. I don't think there is a ton to do up there though, but i personally have not stayed there.
As for food, well, South beach has so many choices. I would check out www.citysearch.com for restaurant choices.
if you want an area that is less trendy and less night-life oriented, then you might want to consider sunny isles in north miami. I don't think there is a ton to do up there though, but i personally have not stayed there.
Apr 18th, 2007, 04:34 AM
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You don't mention budget, but many of the "full service" hotels may be pricey. Curious to know why you feel you need a full service chain hotel type place? If I were going on the trip you describe, I'd prefer staying in an apartment or suite with some extra space, maybe with a kitchen. Have a look at the Bentley.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...h_Florida.html
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...h_Florida.html
Apr 18th, 2007, 05:32 AM
#4
Due to the lack of public transportation and the way everything is spread out, you're limiting yourself greatly without a car.
If you are within walking distance of Lincoln Road, you'll have all the restaurants you'll ever need. Most are outdoor seating and Lincoln Road is a pedestrian street.
One of my favorite is Tiramisu (Italian). It's in the 700's. They take reservations and be sure to ask for an outside table.
Something I can never understand. If you're coming from the New York area, why would you ever want to spend your vacation time shopping.
Having said that, the larger discount malls are a car drive away.
I can't really help with hotels since I live in South Florida.
If you are within walking distance of Lincoln Road, you'll have all the restaurants you'll ever need. Most are outdoor seating and Lincoln Road is a pedestrian street.
One of my favorite is Tiramisu (Italian). It's in the 700's. They take reservations and be sure to ask for an outside table.
Something I can never understand. If you're coming from the New York area, why would you ever want to spend your vacation time shopping.
Having said that, the larger discount malls are a car drive away.
I can't really help with hotels since I live in South Florida.
Apr 18th, 2007, 07:38 AM
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Hi rvaccha,
i just returned myself from my very first trip to Miami. We took a last minute girls getaway and found incredible rates at the Carlton Hotel(not to be confused w/ the Ritz Carlton) at $59. It's a boutique hotel, so it's much smaller than a hyatt or marriott that you're looking for - but the service was great. it's a short distance from the beach as well. i'd definitely recommend that you check it out.
www.carltonsouthbeach.com
i just returned myself from my very first trip to Miami. We took a last minute girls getaway and found incredible rates at the Carlton Hotel(not to be confused w/ the Ritz Carlton) at $59. It's a boutique hotel, so it's much smaller than a hyatt or marriott that you're looking for - but the service was great. it's a short distance from the beach as well. i'd definitely recommend that you check it out.
www.carltonsouthbeach.com
Apr 18th, 2007, 07:45 AM
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rvaccha, as mclaurie noted, full service hotels in Miami are expensive.
From what you write, your best bet is to stay in South Beach.
I highly recommend The Doubletree Surfcomber. It really is a nice resort hotel. Oceanfront with a pool (that is a big deal in South Beach since most hotels are not on the beach but across the street), includes beach chairs, has a spa, restaurant, etc.
It is also walking distance to everything and in my opinion, the best location in South Beach. You are a stones throw from Lincoln Road Mall and Ocean Drive.
From what you write, your best bet is to stay in South Beach.
I highly recommend The Doubletree Surfcomber. It really is a nice resort hotel. Oceanfront with a pool (that is a big deal in South Beach since most hotels are not on the beach but across the street), includes beach chairs, has a spa, restaurant, etc.
It is also walking distance to everything and in my opinion, the best location in South Beach. You are a stones throw from Lincoln Road Mall and Ocean Drive.
Apr 18th, 2007, 08:50 AM
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GoT, have you seen the terrible reviews that place is getting?
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...h_Florida.html
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...h_Florida.html
Apr 19th, 2007, 06:47 AM
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I just read them mclaurie and the common thread is that all the bad reviews were done during peak season when some event was going on.
It sounds like the hotel has been overwhelmed of late.
We have only stayed there during off season and of our three visits, they were all excellent.
It sounds like the hotel has been overwhelmed of late.
We have only stayed there during off season and of our three visits, they were all excellent.
Apr 19th, 2007, 08:35 AM
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Just checked out www.quikbook.com and they have a one bedroom suite for $275 and $375 per night during the time that you are going. I have heard that this is a great place.
I wouldn't suggest to stay in Sunny Isles without access to a car. You'd have to drive to most restaurants and the malls (Aventura mall is quite close though).
If you could post a budget for lodging and dining places, it would be helpful.
Another idea may be the Hyatt in Coral Gables, as you stated that your family is not the "beachy" type. The hotel is within walking distance to some of the best restaurants in Miami and there is a mall nearby with a Nordstrom and another large department store (can't remmeber which one - may be a Saks). It is called Merrick Park.
I wouldn't suggest to stay in Sunny Isles without access to a car. You'd have to drive to most restaurants and the malls (Aventura mall is quite close though).
If you could post a budget for lodging and dining places, it would be helpful.
Another idea may be the Hyatt in Coral Gables, as you stated that your family is not the "beachy" type. The hotel is within walking distance to some of the best restaurants in Miami and there is a mall nearby with a Nordstrom and another large department store (can't remmeber which one - may be a Saks). It is called Merrick Park.
Apr 19th, 2007, 08:50 AM
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So sorry, that suite on www.quikbook.com is at The Bentley in South Beach! Silly me!
Apr 20th, 2007, 07:50 AM
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If you're not going to have a car, then definitely stay in South Beach. Having one would be a hassle anyway. You might want to check out the Marriott on Ocean Drive, South of Fifth, a little less central, but still walkable and quieter traffic wise. Everything else is a short cab ride away. Bal Harbour Shops is about 10-15 minutes by cab.
As far as activities are concerned, a couple of less mentioned ones are to take a salsa lesson above Yuca Restaurant on Lincoln Road and to visit the moving Holocaust Memorial on Meridian Ave.
A word of warning...you might want to rethink your trip here if you're planning to come Memorial Day weekend. It's Hip Hop weekend, and hotel prices will be even more jacked up and the town will be crazy wild.
As far as activities are concerned, a couple of less mentioned ones are to take a salsa lesson above Yuca Restaurant on Lincoln Road and to visit the moving Holocaust Memorial on Meridian Ave.
A word of warning...you might want to rethink your trip here if you're planning to come Memorial Day weekend. It's Hip Hop weekend, and hotel prices will be even more jacked up and the town will be crazy wild.
Apr 23rd, 2007, 08:48 AM
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Walk up and down Lincoln Road, every day. You will not be disappointed.
Do the Art Deco tours at the AD Welcome Center. Worth the $20.
My favorite activity is people watching, and it doesn't get better at Ocean Drive or Lincoln Road. Just sit at a cafe and watch all of humanity walk by.
Do the Art Deco tours at the AD Welcome Center. Worth the $20.
My favorite activity is people watching, and it doesn't get better at Ocean Drive or Lincoln Road. Just sit at a cafe and watch all of humanity walk by.
