can anyone tell me their best/ worst experience of Miami. I am gonna be there from 9th Nov 2000 hope to do some diving, partying, touring, clubbing, shopping and something unmistakably 'Miamian'.....thanks

If you dive, make sure you go to Lanai and dive Cathederals.

GRIFF: thanks - can I do m PADI certification there?

First of all - things to do:
1- Coconut Grove
2- Ocean Drive (rollerblade the streets)
3- Lincoln Road (the shops, restrnts)
4- Bayside (boat ride)
5- Downtown (financial district)
6- Malls (go to one of them.. so many)
7- 11 Street Diner (just a cool place to eat.. 11 Street and Washington Ave)
8- Club Scene on Collins Avenue (from 8 street to 14 street)
9- Restaurant Scene on Ocean Drive... eat outdoors in the evening.
10- Clevelander - 11 Street and Ocean Drive, hang out there at night for drinks at the outdoor bar while the band plays on the outdoor stage.


Where to stay in South Beach? I've gone to Miami about 7 times and each time I've spent less and less money.. I've got wiser and realized that staying at expensive hotels was NOT worth it... My review is mainly to recommend a good place that is inexpensive... but I'll also tell you about 1 or 2 other good places to stay...

I've stayed at the Clevelander Hotel - the Clevelander is located right in the heart of South Beach, on 10th Street, right across the street from the beach... it's kind of expensive, about $150 per night, depending on when you go, of course. The Clevelander attracts a huge crowd any time of day or night. They have an outdoor restaurant right in front of the hotel (and in the main lobby) which is always packed. They also have an outdoor pool and outdoor bar, stage, and music which is on at all hours of the night. It's great to stay here if you're single, looking to meet someone and really don't care about spending the extra bucks on a hotel... people like the Clevelander so much that they take home a jersey or t-shirt as a souvenir. I must confess I purchased a nice jersey myself... The exact address of the Clevelander is 1020 Ocean Drive 1-800-815-6829

I've also stayed at the Shelborne Beach Resort - 1801 Collins Avenue 1-800-327-8757. The Shelbourne is a little further from the heart of South Beach, but it's a very big hotel, very nice, but expensive, about over $200 per night. If you're going on a romantic getaway, this might be the right place to go.. private... classy looking and clean. Not worth it if you asked me.

Last but not least, I was happiest when I stayed at the Bayliss Guest House. Why? Because I payed a mere $55 per night. It's more like an apartment building where you have the keys to the front door and to your apartment. It's very private, clean and quiet, it's like staying at someone's house. There is maid service, so the apartments are very clean and well kept. They are not sooo modern, but they're not 50 years old either. The Bayliss has about 2 or 3 floors in total. I highly recommend it for the price and quality of the stay. We stayed in a one bedroom with a small kitchen table with 4 chairs, a full kitchen (stove, fridge, sink, etc)... but then again, we didn't spend much time in the room, but it was great to have the stove and sink available to us for $55 per night!! Bayliss Guest House is located at 504 14th Street 1-888-305-4683. The Bayliss is about 2 blocks away from the beach, it's located right in South Beach, but once again I'll repeat - it's not a typical high traffic hotel, it's a guest house. We picked up our keys to our "apartmentt" so to speak, at another hotel that is owned by the same people, just a few blocks away. The name of that hotel is the Leslie 1244 Ocean Drive 1-800-OUTPOST. You can even call the Leslie to inquire about the Bayliss prices.. if you prefer staying in a hotel and not a gues house, I'd suggest you call the Leslie and inquire about their prices versus the prices of the Bayliss Guest House. The Leslie is one block away from the beach.

Enjoy your stay and don't spend too much money!!!

well, i've lived here all my life and you can definetly do a lot if you are visiting. You might want to rent a car and drive 3 hours to key west. Dive the reefs, they have a sail boat that takes you out to the dry tortugas and other great dive sights. You'll make it two trips in one.
Don't leave without visiting, Bongos at the new areana in biscayne, try Sundays at "Espanola Way" is South Beach, great outside dining. South Beach has excellent clubs, dinning and just great time laughing at us locals! Hope you have a good time, Miami has had a bad rap for far too long!

You might also want to go to Coral Gables, particularly to the Biltmore Hotel, which has the largest hotel swimming pool in the world, and a fabulous Sunday brunch. Staying there, however, will break the bank, but it's worth a look. Also in Coral Gables - - the Venetian Pool, the Fairchild Tropical Gardens, and a drive through the residential villages designed by George Merrick, each one in a distinct style.

I agree that South Beach is a great place to stay, but will leave hotel recommendations to the others.

THANK U ALL VERY MUCH.....that been quite helpful

Any reccomendations of a Diving place that I can do my OPEN WATER certificate?
Or will any one of the 50+ places do?

And any 'stuuning and unique' dives that anyone has done? - (wrecks/ cathederal/ fish/ etc

Other ideas:
1) spend a day visiting the Everglades. Odds are good you'll see an alligator in the wild. Odds are ten million to one you'll see a cougar in the wild -- but it happens!
2) the bizarre Coral Castle -- built by a single person over the space of decades, the detail is fascinating.
3) MetroZoo.