We are planning a two night stay in South Beach prior to leaving for our cruise. The following hotels are in our price range: TheHotel, Loews, The Pelican, the Park Central and Suite 524. Has anyone even heard of Suite 524? It is at 524 Ocean Drive and has a two bedroom oceanfront suite with balcony and a full kitchen and it looks really nice on the website. It is not reviewed anywhere though so I am cautious, although I did find it on Expedia. Any thoughts on these hotels? Also, how far is it from South Beach to the cruise ship dock? I am assuming we can get a cab there on a Monday. Thanks.

Depends on whether you'd be comfortable in a classic Déco-era hotel (The Hotel, Park Central), a nice but more anonymous Big City-style business hotel (Loews) or a bizarre theme-room hotel run by Diesel Jeans (the Pelican). Never heard of Suite 524 (from the pictures, it looks like a new building, or a heavily-altered old one).

I have stayed at the Park Central and like it a lot. I've toured a room at The Hotel and it's quite chic. The Loews is on the beach, the others across the street (or, in the case of The Hotel, a block inland on Collins). My choice would be the Park Central or The Hotel (the latter especially for its incredible restaurant Wish).

The cab ride to the cruise ship dock couldn't take more than ten minutes-- five without traffic.

No problem getting a cab to the cruise ship. Just over McCarther Causeway, about 10 minutes or so.

I've not heard of Suite 524 but I did look it up and this is my take. If you are going to South Beach to party, stay there. The hotel has a on site three story bar and rooftop pool. That could be cool but it is so close to other party hotspots and it advertises itself as a party hotel, I'd be worried about getting any sleep. If I were going to South Beach to throw down party, I'd stay there.

About your other choices, The Pelican is supposed to be nice but I haven't stayed there. My sis has been to functions there and said it is cool.

The Loews and The Hotel are a toss up for me. I love the resorty feel of The Loews and the location can't be beat plus it is oceanfront. I love the Loews! You are steps away from Lincoln Road Mall and the best lounges (not nightclubs) in South Beach.

However...The Hotel has the coolest rooms and pool in South Beach. I love that rooftop hotel and love the Todd Oldham designed rooms! Plus, one of the best restaurants in town Wish is there. While the location isn't oceanfront, it is a longish walk to the beach because Lummus Park and the beach are so wide (even though the Loews is oceanfront, it is also a long walk to the beach). Who needs the beach with that spectacular pool?

Have I confused you totally?

You haven't confused me totally, but you've given me lots to think about! The appeal of 524 is that its a 2 bedroom, two bath suite (we are two couples) with a kitchen, oceanfront, etc. for the same price as a room in one of the other hotels. We are definitely going there to party so the location seems great. I am torn between 524, TheHotel and the Park Central, and this decision has been left to me!
I should mention, we will be there 9/24-9/26...I figure that Saturday will be nuts and Sunday a little less so, is this correct? We weren't even planning on extending the trip but since airfare is so cheap ($59 each way on Jet Blue from JFK) we couldn't resist! Thanks again.

Then I think you should go ahead and book Suite 524 (South Beach has tiny hotel rooms and one room would not work for two couples).

I will say this, the location isn't the greatest, a lot of construction going on in the SoFi (South of Fifth Street) area.

You are a very short walk to Joe's Stone Crabs and Nikki Beach.

Let me know how the hotel is if you stay there?