Miami Beach
 

Hi-

We would like to go to Miami Beach for the first time in May. We are looking for a little bit of lux in a hotel for a reasonable price. I saw that Fontainebleu has a good deal because they are renovating- does anyone know how much this renovation will disturb guests? Is there any other hotel that anyone can recommend? We are not that much into nightlife and would rather be able to go back to somewhere quiet to sleep...after checking out the fun...any ideas?

Have you looked at staying on Key Biscayne?

I think the area (Mid Beach) where the Fountainbleu is located is really busy with traffic and noise.

The Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne is really lovely and the beaches on Key Biscayne are much nicer than Miami Beach.

Hi Gotravel,

Unfortunately the Ritz is a bit too pricy for us. We would like to stay at a hotel that is no more than 250 a night- but it does look beautiful there! We are planing on staying 5 nights, sometimes there are some good package deals in May- I hope so anyway...
Should we except to pay more for a nice hotel room in Miami area?

I think $250 is very reasonable unless you are planning going over Memorial Weekend.

If that is the case, unless you are a huge hip hop fan, change your dates.

Memorial Weekend is Urban/Hip Hop Weekend and about 400,000 rappers, DJs, kids, the entire culture takes over Miami Beach and South Beach in particular.


I randomly put in dates for hotels in Miami for mid May dates and a four star in Sunny Isles came up for $196 per night.

I think it is Le Meridian which is an outstanding hotel. Really gorgeous.

What are your dates and have you researched using priceline or hotwire?

oh- we can only go on Memorial Weekend. We are coming over from Europe and it is also a long weekend over here too, so we thought we would make a week out of it. Do you think the hip hop festival is everywhere or just South Beach area? I think that Le Meridian, Sunny Isles won't come in question if there's 400,000 hip hoppers nearby.
I am looking on Expedia, the hotel sites and googling reviews from those hotels that might be do-able...guess I still have some work to do. But maybe, we just might splurge for the Ritz- it sounds tempting

Hip Hop is just south beach and it is crazy!!!! A lot of parties and police presence. Any hotel in Bal Harbor or Sunny Isles is just fine. The Meridan is very lovely and in Sunny Isles. There are a few other hotels in Sunny Isles as well. Check on tripadvisor. Its pretty queit on that beach. Its a lot of condos.

Honestly, you aren't going to find anything in Miami Beach, Sunny Isles, Bal Harbour, etc that is nice for that rate.

My suggestion would be Fort Lauderdale.

South Beach will be out of the question for the entire weekend. Forget trying to eat at restaurants there or clubs.

Because it is a big American holiday weekend, all hotels will be expensive.

The Pelican Grand Fort Lauderdale Beach is a fabulous hotel and is on a great part of FLL beach. I actually prefer the Fort Lauderdale beaches. It is listed on www.Hotels.com of $229 per night.

Also, I think FLL has gotten quite sophisticated over the last five years or so.

Las Olas Boulevard has fantastic dining and shopping.

I would definitely head up the beach to Fort Lauderdale. I think you will definitely prefer it to Miami Memorial Weekend.

BTW, Le Meridian will be well over $300 that weekend.

Was browsing around www.hotels.com and found the following in Fort Lauderdale:

Hilton $179 (it is almost brand new and very nice), The Marriott Hollywood Beach $179 (beautiful), and if you can up your budget $14 a night, my first pick is The Lago Mar at $264 per night. I think it is one of the nicest resorts in South Florida and it is very islandy/resorty.

The Fountainbleau, once finished, is supposed to be amazing. I would call and ask exactly how the construction is affecting hotel guests- can you use the pool , etc. If the rate is really good, I'd stay tehre.

Another option if you can increase your budget just a bit might me the Fairmont Turnberry in Aventura- it's not right on the beach, but they have a beach club- i assume a shuttle that takes you there. It's a gorgeous property.

I would try to avoid South Beach from Friday, May 23 - Monday, May 24, unless you really enjoy hip hop culture. Streets, restaurants, beaches and practically everything else will be jammed, and it will not be pleasant. I know, I live here. It will not be representative of how wonderful and exciting South Beach really is. It shouldn't be missed. Try to go to South Beach just before or just after that weekend and go down to the Keys, spend time in Ft. Lauderdale, or go to Naples for that weekend.

I just came back from nearby Hollywood, FL. The Diplomat is the most luxurious there if that's what you're looking for. I didn't stay there, because we had our friend's condo to stay in, but had drinks in their bar - really neat place. I think I have some pictures in my blog from that trip:

http://traveloblog.com/trip/maggie/n...lywood-fl.html

Hope that helps. Miami and South Beach is not too bad of a cab ride from Hollywood.

Maggie

Hi,
Thanks for all the suggestions! I think after checking thru everything, we are going to Largo Mar- a bit more than we wanted to spend but well...! I will let you know how things go. Thanks again everyone!

You are going to LOVE the Lago Mar! OMG it is one fabulous resort! Their private beach makes you feel like you are in the islands. Worth every penny.

Going to Hollywood Beach. Looking for a CLEAN beachfront efficiency I have stayed at the Driftwood three times ignoring the FILTHY rooms because the location is magnificent... I just can't do it anymore - does anyone have suggestions for a CLEAN small motel beachfront?