South Beach Hotel for End March/April
 

My husband and I are planning our first trip to FLA, decided on South Beach. It's one final trip before our baby comes. We want to stay in a place somewhat luxurious with private beach access (is that even possible in SoBe?) for under $350/night. We like boutique hotels and try to stay away from HUGE hotels, but at this point our priorities are proximity to good restaurants/shops (walking distance - will be 6 months pregnant), proximity to beach with beach chairs and umbrellas (1-2 blocks tops), clean hotel with nice pool.

The hotels I have recs on are:
The Hotel of South Beach
Hotel Nash (I hear not a good pool)
Hotel Victor (may be too pricey)
The National

Any input would be much appreciated! Just overwhelmed at this point by the number of choices in SoBe and the various locations.

All the hotels are pretty nice. However, the only one on the beach itself is the National (and it has a stupendous pool). The Hotel and the Nash are a block from the beach; the Victor is across Ocean Drive. Myself, I like the Cardozo-- but it doesn't even have a pool. Of your list, I love the Hotel's rooftop pool and sublime restaurant (Wish); the party vibe of the Victor would be fun (lobby DJ!); but I'd go with the National.

Went to The National in November and loved it. The rooms can be a bit small, and the hallways are in need of sprucing up, but it was clean and convenient, and had the most lovely pool area. Service on the beach as well. We really liked it.

Thank you for the tips. We would LOVE to stay at the National, but might not fit the budget.

Between Nash and The Hotel, which would posters recommend? And do they fit the bill of "somewhat luxurious" (clean, nice rooms with comfy beds and good bathrooms)?

Cardozo looks nice so I will look into that one more, but I would really like a pool to cool off in.

Take a look at the Park Central ocean front rooms. We stayed in this art deco hotel in Dec. 2005 and really were pleased. Price in Dec. was under $200 a night. It is across the street and the little park to the beach but they have complimentary beach chairs and the walk isn't far. There is a pool, which is small but was adequate for us, especially with the beach right there. I wrote a review on tripadvisor. Also I'd give a thumbs up to the restaurant "Wish" on Collins, within walking distance of the Park Central...you can make reservations online.

We stayed at the Park Central last year and also like it very much. We found the location very convenient and the beach is right across the street. Agree with the other posters about Wish, but found the restaurant at the hotel to be excellent also. You don't say where you will be coming from, but we got a really good deal through SWA vacations, though you do have to fly into Fort Lauderdale and drive down.

The Hotel gets my vote between that and The Nash. It has a gorgeous rooftop pool with stunning views of the beach.

I stayed at The National a year ago and just LOVED IT. Great beach area and super pool. In opinion it can not be beat.