travelbeth

For a romantic getaway, coming to Miami for just a few days. Like a smaller, elegant hotel with nice amenities and access to not too crowded beach (is that possible in Miami?). could spend 300-400/night, or perhaps more if it's really worth it.

Restaurant suggestions would also be appreciated. thanks!

garyt22

The beach is extremely large so its only as crowded as you wish... if the property is small and elegant, its beyond your price range... however consider the Loews. a larger full service elegant... it has everything you want...

We also loved the www.royalpalmmiamibeach.com... should be in your price and its half the size of Loews... have fun!

qwovadis

Trump International Sonesta Beach Resort Miami . Cheapest rate ... Licensed to: BetterBidding.com ® Terms of Use

http://www.betterbidding.com/index.p...ost&pid=100234

My fav... nicest good price bidding Priceline

Beaches tend to be crowded in season go someplace like

Hawks Key for romantic but pricer remote lodgings.

Joes Stone Crab my fav www.zagat.com www.opentable.com

other options...

travelbeth

thank you all for your suggestions. still not sure about hotel. are any of you familiar with both The Betsy and The Tides? is one nicer/better location than the other? Anyone familiar with the stretch of beach they overlook?

bakerstreet

Try Soho Beach House - new (opened in the fall) and one of the Soho Houses in London, NYC and LA. Smaller, but elegant - one of the smaller rooms should be in that price range. It's down from the South Beach area, on the boardwalk - private beach area offers complimentary beach chairs, umbrellas, cabanas, etc. and there are two pools. One is rooftop for adults only.

garyt22

Tbeth...the hotels you mention are on Ocean Drive and are Across the street from the busiest section of the beach... you have to pack your stuff and walk across through the beach park...

if you want a walk out the back to the Ocean...when looking for a property you want to be on the ocean side of Collins near Ocean Drive... good luck

rjw_lgb_ca

The Tides is quite nice, quite deluxe, across Ocean Drive from the beach (NOTE: just down from the gay beach if that's a consideration). It's historically gone after the same clientèle as the Delano or the Victor-- well-heeled youngish hedonists.

The Betsy is maybe a bit down the chicness scale-- but the location is great and the hotel itself is a very nice boutique-size property, albeit not shining with Art Déco fabulousness.

I'm still a fan of the Cardozo, which is between the Tides and the Betsy on Ocean Drive and exudes Art Déco sexiness thanks to its celebrity owners, Gloria and Emilio Estefan. YMMV.

KatieR

We loved The National on Collins Ave. http://www.nationalhotel.com/ The National is an authentic, older Art Deco hotel, the rooms are very nice but not particularly large or modern. It's walking distance to the action, but around the hotel it was relatively quiet. It's about a 10 min. walk along the beach to the vibe of Ocean Drive, where we watched a scene for the TV show Burn Notice being filmed - fun. Beautiful wide beach in front of the hotel with lounge chairs & wait service. Incredible pool, although we didn't love the music they played at the poolside bar. We rented bicycles to tool around town, fun. You can walk up to Lincoln Rd., that's where we found the best restaurants. The National is adjacent to the Delano, which looked interesting as well: http://www.delano-hotel.com/en-us/#/home/

The beach itself is terrific. Have a wonderful time!

KatieR

Sorry, should have said the beach is BEHIND, not in front, of The National. The pool is behind the hotel & you get to the beach through a gate, no street to cross.

Birdie

We found the Marriott to be surprisingly nice. On the beach with a great pool overlooking it. There's a lovely terrace with fountains and lounging couches. The Marriott is located in a quieter area of South Beach but walking distance to all the restaurants.

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel...each-marriott/

autier17

The Betsy is an excellent and romantic small hotel. I just returned from my third stay there. Recently renovated, great rooms, great restaurant at BLT. Pool is small compared to Collins Avenue hotels, but it is across the street from beach where you have free loungers waiting for you.

My favorite hotel is Delano, but Betsy is a close second. Raleigh is another good option.