Hi,

Flying into Miami in Nov, staying @ the Nassau Suites for two nights before heading for the Gulf Coast - the question is...

Should I pick up the hire car as we leave Miami? Are we going to use the car much whilst in Miami or am I just going enjoy paying for the parking ;0)

Not intending to do much in Miami apart from Lincoln Mall/Ocean Drive...

Cheers

If you're staying at the Nassau Suites, you're within walking distance of Ocean Drive and Lincoln Road Mall. Just relax in South Beach and don't bother with a car. They don't need more cars on the roads anyway....

I agree. You can rent a car in Florida for about $24 a day, but you'll probably never be able to park it for that!!! Get the car when you're ready to leave.

Take into account the logistics of getting the car (which I assume you'll pick up from the airport). If you don't get it on arrival, you'll take a cab to the hotel (with all your stuff for a long Florida trip). When you're ready for the car, you'll cab back for the car. You could leave your one parent and the child on the beach while the other parent gets the car. Then you would return for the family and all the stuff. This is will be a several hour adventure.
My choice would be to go ahead and get the car and load it up with all the stuff. Pack a special bag (or 2) for the first two nights so you don't have to take everything to the hotel room. When you are ready to leave Miami, hop in the car and go!

I agree, get the car at airport and drive to hotel. pay the small fee or no fee to park at hotel and walk for 2 days while your there.

That little fee to park at most South Beach hotels of this type (small Deco-era properties without adjacent lots) could run upwards of $18 per night. There are public lots that are cheaper, and luckily they're not that far from this hotel (a block or two).

Fact is, South Beach is a short, cheap taxi ride to Miami International Airport (say, 20 minutes tops). I'm a believer in avoiding the hassle of a car whenever possible. Oh, and another thing-- what happens if you leave most of your stuff in the rental car in a lot, and someone breaks into it (or it gets stolen)?

Thanks for all the advice - we can pick the car up in South Beach, so we will let our feet do the walking for a couple of days and save some money!

Cheers

Of course you can pick up the car in
South Beach, most companies have offices in the Beach or nearby.
A car in South Beach is a hazzle and although the buses are not that good they can take you places if you need to but you will be better of staying in the beach.

Patrick, you crack me up! Yes, I agree that parking in South Beach can cost as much as your daily rental.