I have learned so much on this site! I don't make any plans without checking here first!

I am planning a pre-cruise mini-vacation for my family (DH, DS11, DS9) before a cruise for April, 2009. I will be using Hilton HHonors points for a 2-night reward stay.

I have it narrowed down to 2 hotels - Doubletree Grand Hotel Biscayne Bay or Hilton Bentley Miami/South Beach.

I'm blowing all the points in my account on this one. I want to make sure I pick a good one! Does anyone have any experience at either of these hotels? (DH and I haven't been to Miami in 10+ years, and I honestly cannot remember anything about it.)

We do not plan to have a car as we board the ship 48 hours after arrival.

What do you think - and why?

TIA for input!

Another question to consider is do you want to be in South Beach or not? What kind of activities do you and your family want to do?

I would pick the Hilton on South Beach without the slightest thought. There is very little, if anything, to do around the Doubletree, although it is an up and coming area. But, it is norht of downtown, some new high-rise residential, and not really an area where you would walk around too far after dark. South Beach just offers so much more in walking distance - tons of restaurants, people watching, etc.. And you can spend the days on the beach.

Not even a question, go with the Bentley. It's on Ocean Drive so it's centrally located and an easy walk to everything.

Did you end up staying at the Hilton? If so, how was it?