Looking for recommendations on moderately priced hotels in South Beach preferably overlooking the ocean. Thank you.

Paul, South Beach is expensive. What is "moderate" to you? $100? $150? $200? This will help us make suggestions.

Good question. The informaton I see on the internet shows hotels in South Beach ranging from $60 per night (The Tropics) up to many hundreds of dollars per night. In this case, moderate to me would be $100 - 150 range. There appeared to be many hotels in this range but I know nothing about them. Thanks.

We always stay at either the South Seas (17 & Collins), beachfront w/ a heated pool. Prices range between $95 - $149 per night for a standard depending of time of year. Sister hotel is the Avalon & Majestic Hotels on 7th & Ocean (across the street from the beach). Prefer the South Seas, Avalon gets a bit loud as its on the strip. Both are clean and basic, but I believe a good value.

To see their website: http://www.atlanticstars.com/

then choose "South Beach"

hi Paul: We stayed this past May at the Traymore. It is right on the boardwalk and an easy walk to Art Deco area. It is a very basic hotel with a small pool but terrific location. Our room was facing the ocean and the sunrise was awesome!! The room was big and clean and diffently had an Art Deco feel to it. It cost us 89.00 Can. or about 60.00 US a night, the location was worth twice that!! Don't miss breakfast at the news cafe or a walk on Lincoln Rd Mall. Karen

Thanks to all. Both the South Seas and Traymore hotels looks promising. If we stayed at 17th and collins (or above), is that within the Art Deco area of South Beach? Also, where does the the beach become South Beach and not Miami Beach?

We have gone to Key Biscayne , a short scenis drive fron South Beach, the last 3 years for the "Ericsson Open". The island is beautiful - great beach - The Sheraton - We love it !

Has anyone heard of the San Juan Hotel in the Art Deco district? I found it in a budget travel magazine. The article was written by a Miami native with tips on cheap lodging & restaurants. The rate is $69/nt over Easter which is hard to believe. We're looking for something very cheap - only requirements are that it be clean and that the neighborhood is not dangerous. Any info would be appreciated!

To answer Nancy's post, I've never stayed there, but walk past it all the time when I'm there. It looks kindy dumpy, but the websites do state that the rooms have been renovated. It's across the street from the Loews Resort, if memmory serves me correctly. There are a couple of other choices, I'll be there Thurs nt of Easter weekend (going on acheap Bahamas cruise, also found on an internet auction) and have booked a rm at The South Seas for $95/nt, which includes breakfast. As prvioulsy mentioned, they have a pool, which is a good amenity.
For &9/nt, try the Franklin, which has better reviews than the San Juan. It also includes breakfast.

The San Juan was across the street from the South Seas Hotel where we just stayed. It didn't look all that great but the area certainly is fine. I would recommend the South Seas to anyone seeking a moderate hotel on the beach. We had a room for $99 and had a slight view of the ocean.

Paul, to answer your intermediate question, I think that South Beach starts right where you mentioned--or more officially at Lincoln Road which is the street between 16th and 17th. So at 17th you are right on the northern edge. However the most famous "South Beach" Hotel, The Delano is about a block north of 17th -- so according to some, it's technically north of South Beach. Since the popularity of South Beach (which 15 years ago no one would want to admit being a part of) it keeps creeping further and further north. I suppose before long hotels in Ft. Lauderdale will start advertising "near South Beach".

Sorry, I meant to say that the Delano is about a block north of Lincoln Road. Actually it is slightly south of 17th, so I guess technically it still is inside of "South Beach".

In reply to Nancy's post, I just got back from a weekend trip to South Beach, and we stayed at the San Juan Hotel. My friend who made most of the travel arrangements found it on travelocity. It wouldn't have been my first choice and for a longer stay I might have gone elsewhere, but it wasn't bad. The rooms were clean, had a refrigerator, microwave, and electronic safe. My two main complaints were the door and the tub. The door was not the most secure, no deadbolt, and the key was like most housekeys, and came on a big blue tag with the room number on it. We did not take it with us most of the time when we left the room, especially to go to the clubs. We left it at the desk. The tub at one point had had those traction strips placed in it, which are now black. There was a bathmat, but hotel bathmats kind of gross me out too. I probably would have had absolutely no problem if I would have remembered my shower shoes. Other than that, the room was fine. Old, yes, but clean. If you're not planning on spending much time in the room, go for it. The pool was decent, the location was great, and the lobby decorations were very cool. I've stayed in much worse hotel rooms.

I was able to get a room at the South Seas Hotel for $139/nt. The pool area looks much nicer which our kids will appreciate. Thanks for the input.

Nancy, I think you will like the South Seas. It's not fancy but it is clean and the price was right. It was recommended to me on this Fodors Site. The pool is very nice and the beach is right there. Like I said, I found a rate which they called the "great rate" for a standard room with no ocean view. It is one of those rates that they do advertise but they won't offer it to you. You may want to give it a shot. When I got to the hotel, I was offered an oceanfront room for $130 a night. I looked at both rooms and kept the one for $99. Have fun.