My husband and I, early 40's, Canadian, have never been to Miami. We're spending one night there (a Saturday in February) and have decided on the SoBe area. I've done some research and have "narrowed" my search for a hotel to the following:

1. Chesterfield Hotel - 855 Collins
2. Wave Hotel - 350 Ocean Drive
3. Whitelaw Hotel - 808 Collins
4. Mercury Resort - 100 Collins
5. Chelsea Hotel - 944 Washington
6. Shelley - 844 Collins
7. The Marseilles Hotel - 1741 Collins
8. Abbey - 300 21st between Collins & Washington
9. Ritz Plaza - 1701 Collins

We are looking for LOCATION - not too noisy but close to everything (we won't have a car),CHARM (without the musty smell), price range between $100 - $200, prefer breakfast included and on the beach - but not a deal breaker.

We would be grateful for any comments on the above hotels (or others).

Many thanks.

Hey there I live in Ormond Beach Florida and my wife and I are in our mid to late 30's. we visit South Beach frequently. I checked your list and because of the time of year your budget gets sqeezed with their high winter rates.Some of the hotels I like were double their fall and summer rates. After saying all that,for one night I would tell you to avoid the hotels such as the Wave,Mercury,and Abbey because they are on the wrong end of South Beach. Anything under 500 means it is in the mcuh less developed part and not in a good way yet. Your best bet if you would like to be on the beach directly looks like the Ritz or the Marseilles although I have stayed in neither. They are however located right next to the Delano, the National, and the Lowes which are probably the nicest hotels down there. Almost all of the hotels not directly on the beach are noisy, small, and a little old. The best part of Ocean Drive is 5th through 15th and 15th is very close to both of the properties I thought you would enjoy. Also a plus you are very close to Lincoln road which a pedestrian only road running perpindular from the ocean with many great restaurants and shops. Ocean drive itself has lost some of its pinache with over crowding and cruising. There are a couple of good restaurants on Ocean drive mainly Cafe Milano for great Italian and News cafe for breakfast, also Gloria Estefan's restaurant Lario's. On Lincoln the Van Dyke for breakfast or lunch and the list for dinner is endless. Keep in mind that service is ok at best because it's South Beach-trendy, very gay and all that goes with that. I know I have babbled on but thought it would help. Good Luck.

Skip the Ritz, too many transitional problems. Out of that group I would pick the Marseilles because of location. The Shelley would be my second pick. Just as an aside, referring to South Beach as SoBe screams tourist (even though you will be). Have fun!

Susie, I forgot to add that February is peak season and most of those hotels probably will not let you stay for just one night (especially a Saturday). Check that out, it may be the deciding factor on where you stay.

I've stayed at the Marseilles last November. It is a decent hotel but not the greatest. If you don't want the musty smell I would stay away from this place. I'd say that the only plus about this place is that it's right on the beach. It does have a pool but when I went there last year, I think they had a really bad storm or hurricane the week before (I don't remember which), so the pool was closed and pretty messy. Since you will not have a car I wouldn't suggest this place unless you don't mind taking a short cab ride to the action. The action, as far as bars and people watching is concerned, on Ocean Dr. go from around 5th St to around 10th give or take a block or two.

I don't know anything about the other hotels you mentioned on your list but one that isn't on your list and absolutely love is the Cardozo Hotel. It's on the corner of Ocean and 13th so it's very close to the action yet far enough so that you won't hear it all night. The atmosphere is very "Charming" and the staff is very attentive to your needs. I stayed there this past summer for the first time and I don't think I am going to stay anywhere else when I go down there. Although the prices are in the upper part of your range, I think its well worth it.

Great replies - thank you to all.

George: I've taken your advice and changed direction. My choices now are:
1. Beacon Hotel - 720 Ocean Dr.
2. Casa Grande - 834 Ocean Dr.
3. Winterhaven - 1400 Ocean Dr.

Any comment on these?

DeeDee: Ok, "South Beach" from now on...thanks.

Your thoughts on the above 3 hotels? They are all available in my price range for 1 night.

Jim: Your advice was also very helpful - do you think the Winterhaven is too far north? The Cardozo was, in fact, my very first choice. Unfortunately, as per DeeDee's comment, they have a 2 night minimum.

The Beacon, the Casa Grande or the Winterhaven?

The Winterhaven is not too far north at all. In fact it's probably at the end or near the end of a decent walking distance to many of things on Ocean Drive. Although I do not know much about this place.

I do know that the Casa Grande is a very nice hotel. I believe all the rooms are suites. Once, while my wife and I were down in South Beach we decided to take a walk and look at the rooms in some of the hotels. We said that we were coming back down on our honeymoon and were trying to decide where to stay and asked if we could see some of the rooms. At the end of the day The Casa Grande was at the top of our list until we saw the Cardozo the next day. It's a small place but the atmosphere is very nice. and the rooms exceeded our expectations. The only thing about this place is that it's in the heart of Ocean Drive so I don't know what the noise factor will be like. Maybe the rooms are quiet with the windows closed, I really don't know. Hope this info helps. Good luck

Can anybody comment on The Royal Palm Crowne Plaza Resort @ 1545 Collins Ave? I'm booked here for one nite on a Saturday. I'm mostly concerned with the location, as we'll be arriving in the evening and flying out the next morning.

I think it's fairly new, so i couldn't find too many reviews.

Thanks.

Rumor has it the Royal Palm Crowne Plaza is a black-owned business. If I promote my business at white-owned, there would be hell to pay.

I don't care who owns it... as long as they treat their customers right.

Jim, thanks for taking the time to post another valuable message. I've appreciated your thoughtful advice.

Try the Townhouse. We stayed there in July for a wedding and thought it was great. Very chic feel without having to pay a lot for it. I think our room cost around $100/night. It's on the beach and continental breakfast is included.

In response to the gentleman regarding the black-owned business! Grow the %^#*& up. It's only listed that way to let people know that it is a minority business which SOME people like to patronize since we (blacks) have been victimized by the spirit of oppression by whites. Of course the hotel is open to anyone who would be kind enough to patronize it.