Hello, I have been researching for our 5th anniversary trip and would love your input. We are heading down to Miami during the Art Basel. My husband is interested in attending some of the art events and I'm interested in relaxing at the pool.

Since we rarely get a break from the kids we are planning to splurge a bit on this trip - however, while I certainly don't mind paying for a nice room, I'm a little concerned that because of the Art Basel, the prices of the rooms are ridiculously high, I don't want to feel ripped off when I step into the room. I have narrowed it down to these places and I would love additional input.

Aqualina - $775/Oceanview- not in SOBE, 20 minutes away
The National - $849 - Cabana room - mixed reviews
Tides - $595
Ritz Carlton - $809 Standard room
The Biltmore - $455 - not in SOBE
Sagamore - $815 Cityview Suite
Strand - $460 - 1 bedroom Suite
Fontainebleau - $500 / Jr. Suite
Sanctuary -$655/$755 Luxury Suite
Hotel de Soleil - $855 Spa Suite

I did not include the Delano ($850/Ocean),Shore Club ($900/Ocean) because there was too much mixed reviews and I did not want to risk it. My top choices are Aqualina, The National, Sanctuary and The Strand.

Aqualina looks gorgeous but you really won't be in the thick of it and if you want to be in South beach and really get a flavor of it, i wouldn't stay at aqualina. The drive will annoy you after a while.

the strand is on the bay side, so if ocean front or ovean view is important to you, you won't get that there. I hear it's pretty nice though and that price seems good comparing it to your others.

We love the Ritz- can't beat it for location or service. If you book and say it's your 5th anniversary you might get upgraded. That is alot though for a standard room.

Hopefully others can weigh in and help you with the others.

Jay

We have stayed at the Ritz Carlton SoBe and Key Biscayne. And to me 809.00 is way overpriced for the room, the view is beautiful but unless your getting food credit and upgrade, I don't recommend it.

The JW in SoBe is really nice and you can use points to stay there.

Happy anniversary and have a wonderful time.

Theresa in Detroit.

Thanks for the replies! I was worried that the Ritz would be too overpriced for the room. Is the Biltmore or Fontainebleau too far away?

Look into the Loews right on the beach. However, don't let them put you in the St Moritz tower, that is the small building u see next to the main bldg in the photo.

http://www.loewshotels.com/en/Hotels.../Overview.aspx

Hi. Thanks for the suggestion. I need to call to check out their rates for the ocean view rooms. Currently they are showing $600 for the 350 square feet room with city views.

The founatinbleu is a car ride away from the action- 10/15 minutes and that depends on traffic. again, if it's a busy weekend in SoBe, you will hate the drive. but it has been redone and is supposed to be gorgeous.

If you are referring to teh biltmore in coral gables, it is again a car ride to south beach (at least 15 minutes i think), and again, not central enough if you want the true south beach flavor. I don't think there is much around there to do.

I am not a fan of the Loews. too busy, too big and not special enough. Mary is correct though, if you stay there, absolutely make sure you are not placed in the st. moritz annex.

The tides is on ocean drive.It is across the street from the beach, and in the thick of the ocean drive art deco hotels. It is supposed to be very cool and a different vibe from the other places you mention-- less big hotel-ish.

While 809 is high for a superior ritz room, it is a ritz carlton and you do get that high level of service and your room will be a RC room. It appears that everything is higher that weekend than normal, so everything is going to seem a little over priced.

Alot depends on what you plan to do. If yo want to eat out at sobe every night and have a few drinks, and not take your car, you're better off staying in south beach and cabbing it when necessary.

Biltmore & Fountainbleau are too far. Most Art Basel event will take place in South Beach and the Design District/Wynwood (you don't want to stay in that area). I believe there will be shuttles going from SoBe to the Design District during that Art Basel, but you may want to check with your hotel first.

The only hotels on your list that I've stayed at are Sagamore and Shore Club, both were nice. The National is also very popular. IMO these hotels attract a younger crowd, while the National & Ritz attracts older couples and families. Not sure about the others...