Hello! Happy 2009 for all Fodorites!!!

I´ll be going with DH to Miami for a 5-day beach and relax time next February (20-24). Never been to Miami, so I don´t really know which place is better (South Beach, Miami Beach, Art Deco District). We would prefer to be right in front of the beach, but close to restaurants, bars, malls, etc., and an outside pool is a must-have. Planning to spend up to $300/night. Any personal thoughts would be very appreciated, as well as general tips.
Thanks in advance!
Debora

South Beach is actually the art deco district of Miami Beach. It is my favorite area of Miami Beach. There are several hotels right along the ocean, just make sure that you stay on Ocean Drive. The Park Central is fairly well thought of and is moderately priced. I have stayed there a couple of times and found it to be very nice. The last time, we stayed at the Cardozo, which is also very nice and better situated to Lincoln Road, which is the big shopping district in South Beach. Lots of dining options there as well. But as long as you stay north of Fifth Street, there are lots of dining options within a short distance.

I disagree about staying on Ocean Drive. While there are some lovely hotels there, I much prefer the area of Collins Avenue.

For one thing, most of the Ocean Drive hotels are not on the beach but across the street and you have to go through Lummus Park. Also, few of them have pools for space reasons. Only South of Fifth Avenue are the OD hotels oceanfront. Also OD is party central.

With your budget, I would check out The Doubletree Surfcomber and The South Seas Hotel. Both fit your criteria of oceanfront and having nice pools. Your dates are peak season and hotels are very expensive.

Thanks for the input! I´m checking a lot of hotels, but not quite sure where to stay yet. Don, Park Central is a good one, and the rate is also great; Cardozo doesn´t have pool. GoTravel, the South Seas is very nice, beautiful, so I´m considering it also.
I´ve found out some others hotels, but would like to hear from you.
- Newport Beachside Resort
- Hotel Deauville Beach resort
- Shelborne Beach Resort
- Richmond Hotel
- The Standard Miami
Two other questions: will I need a car or taxi would do? And the average temperature?
Thanks again!

GoTravel's suggestions are spot on. The Standard is nice but it's not near the beach, you'd have to take a cab everywhere.

I would concentrate on being between 16th and 17th streets or a block or 2 either north or south.

That puts you right at Lincoln Rd and all of the restaurants.

At that point, the hotels on the east side of Collins back on the beach.

Anywhere eles you'll most likely need a car to get around.

Weather in late Feb should be ideal. Warm, not hot. Low humidity.

Thanks! Any thoughts would be appreciated!

On our last visit we stayed at a small, boutique hotel call The Angler's. It is a few blocks walk to the South Beach beaches/Ocean Drive, but away from any of the noise.

The rooms were new, modern and spotless and the service excellent. The bed was amazingly comfortable. The pool is small however.

Lincoln Road is about 10 blocks away - walkable depending on your walking stamina.

There are several neighborhoods on the island - go 10 minutes north of South Beach to Bal Harbour for upscale shopping at the Bal Harbour Shops and make sure you eat lunch or dinner at Carpaccios at the Bal Harbour Shops - super popular Italian restaurant with the locals.

Thanks for the tips, will check the hotel.
I´ll keep you posted!
What´s not to miss in Miami?
Happy New Year to all of you! Peace, hapinness and a lot of travelling!!!!!

The Newport, Deauville, and The Standard are not in South Beach.

The Newport Beachside Resort is way up in Sunny Isles which is a long haul from South Beach. I like the resort but not if you want to stay in South Beach.

The Deauville is in Mid Beach which is not walkable to anything. I don't care for the area or the beach.

The Standard is an uber fabulous hotel but it is on an island between Miami and Miami Beach near South Beach.

I like both The Richmond and The Shelbourne and both are well located oceanfront hotels with pools.

Forgot to add, do not rent a car to stay in South Beach. You'll pay a fortune to park the car and there is no free parking.

Average temps in February should be low 80s. Hot and sunny.

GoTravel, thanks a lot!
I´m trying the Richmond or the Shelborne (fingers crossed!). Thanks for the car info.
I´ll let you know how it goes.
Thanks again;