Going to Miami for the first time! Hotel recommendations?
 

Next month we're going on a cruise from Miami, and I thought it would be nice to add on a couple of days in Miami when we get back. Any suggestions on where we should stay? Willing to spend up to $300 a night.

We're mid-30s, enjoy visiting cities and laidback places alike, but the only places in Florida we regularly visit are St. Pete Beach and Amelia Island. So we're expecting this to be a totally different experience. :)

Also, should we rent a car for the two days? Any things worth seeing in the surrounding area?

Thanks in advance.

Some of the things you may want to add.

Which airport will you be using to leave?


You probably don't want to stay in Miami. Most likely on South Beach.

Unless you intend to stay very close to your hotel I would rent a car.

If you stay in South Beach, you don't really need a car but it makes things a lot easier. I think you need to tell us whether you want to do sightseeing (I love Vizcaya and the Venetian pool) or just relax on the beach. http://www.fodors.com/world/north-am...ghts-more.html That will make a big difference in where you decide to stay.

Oh, we're flying into and out of the Miami airport. MIA? I didn't realize there was more than one! And probably more relaxing than anything, but if there's something worth driving to, we wouldn't mind!

You will want to stay around the South Beach area. Not the city of Miami. Two different places.

Look for a hotel on Collins Ave in South Beach. The Loews, Ritz-Carlton, Raleigh, Gansevoort might have rooms within your budget.

Since you have a decent budget, I would recommend the Shore Club, the Setai, Raleigh, The Tides. Or on the North end of South Beach is Fontainebleau or The Palms Hotel (ask for the newer rooms) which are only a few minute cab ride to the center of South Beach.

Absolutely no car needed. Not worth the cost of parking and rental, and it is a straight shot to the airport (about 28$) and everything is within walking distance or a 4$ cab ride.

Some good suggestions above, but given you are only their 2 days, not worth the effort. The traffic in Miami is outrageous, and getting around will burn into all your time.

Better off sticking to SOBE and enjoying the beach, shopping, galleries, and restaurants. The furthest I would go is Shops of Bal Harbour which is just North of SOBE and is an outdoor mall with all the high end shopping you could hope for.

Given your ages, I think you would enjoy Tantra, Delano or China Grill for drinks. China Grill for dinner which is where the locals hang out, and Van Dyke's on Lincoln Rd pedestrian Mall a cool little lunch/breakfast/late night place to people watch (and Jazz upstairs or late night) Another dinner place I would recommend is Ola.

If you like art, check out the Britto gallery on Lincoln Rd.

You'll have fun and it will all happen within a 20 block area.

The Setai? Rooms start at $700/night! The Shore Club, Tides and Fountainebleu usually start in the $400s as well. $300 isn't that much for South Beach, but with the economy still hurting, there are more deals to be had.

OOPS your right, I just stayed at Fountaineblue a few weeks ago and I paid 325/nt. Look for the Internet non refund rates.

The Setai I forgot was a special rate I had for business purposes...I forgot how expensive it REALLY was.

Shore Club you can stay in the 300 range, but this is high season so not right now. Same with Tides. For both look for non refund internet book rate.

Jan Feb Mar might be too late by now. I usually book mine months in advance....sorry. The Palms might be their best bet if there is anything left.

Thank you so much for the replies. Yikes, I didn't realize how expensive hotel rooms are in that area! As gorgeous as those hotels are, I guess I'll have to scale back my wish list. Any feedback on the Avalon, South Seas, Hotel Nash, or the Beacon? (Mainly location-wise, because we'd really rather not rent a car if we don't have to.)

No experience with them, but keep in mind that hotels located in the center of Sobe and in particular on Ocean drive, can be VERY VERY noisy at night with the party goers. In addition most do not have central air and only those noisy window units (deal killer for me).

I just checked the Palms for you, they have rooms in the $250 range. BOOK IT NOW, they wont last long!

http://www.thepalmshotel.com/

Trust me, this is one of the best bangs for the buck on SOuth Beach. When you check in ask if you can be upgraded to one of their newer rooms. You can also ask about being upgraded to a better room and they will upgrade you for a few dollars more if the room is available.

The resort is really nice....like a Key West feel to it, and as I indicated you can walk to the center of south beach or take a 6$ cab ride that take only a couple of minutes.

If you cab it from there, just ask the cab to drop you at Lincoln Rd and Washington. That is about dead center to everything.

Hopefully you are not travelling there until second week of Feb, because it is Superbowl the first week, which is why all the hotels are so expensive.