South Beach Hotels
 

Some girlfriends and I are hoping to get tickets to see Madonna in Miami on July 22 and celebrating our birthdays.

We are thinking of staying in South Beach and since I have never been (even though I live a couple of hours away) I am not sure where to even start looking.

We might have 3 people and would like to find a place with a sofa bed or we might have more people and will just need 2 rooms.

What would your choice of a hotel be if you were us? One of us will have a car.

Not sure about our budget yet so I know that isnt helpful but probably not the real high dollar places $500 and up. But just trying to get some ideas. We will almost be in our mid 30's.

Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Check out:

The Doubletree Surfcomber
The South Seas
The Cordoza (Ocean Drive not oceanfront)
The Loews

All except the Cordoza are oceanfront on Collins Avenue with oceanfront pools.

Thanks GoTravel, I will start looking into those.

Does anyone else have some ideas?

I love the Cardozo-- it's my favorite little hotel in South Beach-- and will also recommend these two (assuming they're not closed for freshening-up), both on Ocean Drive: The Park Central and the Winter Haven. Like the Cardozo, they're across Ocean Drive from the beach, and they're moderately-priced hotels from the Art Déco era. The rooms are small but clean and pretty comfortable.

The Cardozo does have a couple of suites with a living room area and a fold-out sofa bed. I don't know about the others. But tread carefully with three women to a non-suite room-- remember, you will have to share a 30s-era bathroom when it's Makeup Time...!

207 and I believe 307 have accomodations for more than 2 people at the Cardoza.

www.thehotelofsouthbeach.com - todd oldham designed, amazing rooftop pool. right on collins. fabulous! and great restaurant too with cocktails that have glowing ice cubes...

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the recommendations and will check them out.

No worries for the makeup situation. I am mascara and lipstick only so the others can fight it out! HA

We started thinking maybe renting a condo on VRBO might be better. Has anyone done this and have a favorite place?

Thanks again. We better score some Madonna tickets. LOL

ttt

What a great trip. I love Madonna and am hoping to get tickets for when she's in Boston. I like the Raleigh and the National for hotels. They have nice pools and you should be able to get good rates for July.

I snagged a package for early July at The National, $188 per night, including tax but not resort fee.

That's a great rate BeachBoi. Kinch--if you can get a rate like that at the National, take it!

BeachBoi - how did you get that rate if you don't mind me asking? My husband and I are looking to stay in South Beach for a getaway weekend sometime soon and I'm trying to find a good deal on a nice hotel.

Thanks!

arod....American Airlines Vacations...
http://aav7.aavacations.com/......It was $526.00 per person, 6 nights Ocean Front room, plus $39.00 cancellation waiver total $565.00, $1,130.00 per room.Does not include the $12 Resort Fee, but then the beach chairs are free.......Beulah, some grapes and a Mojito, please....:D

I would love to stay at the National for that rate. The website shows rates starting at $249 and up.

WOW!!

That is a fantastic deal!

Speaking of Mojito's!

I almost hate to say that I have personally never drank one nor seen the drink.

Where is the best place to try a Mojito?

Well, to be totally accurate I would have to say the rate is $200, since the $188 plus the $12 DAILY resort fee adds up to $200....Believe me, I will get every nickel outa that $12...I'll read every line of the newspaper, and I'll leave the beach chaise only to change Speedos.....or maybe swim a couple of laps..

The BEST mojitos are by the pool bar at The Delano. Make sure you walk through the lobby and check it out.

It is a do not miss.

Also, the rooftop pool at The Hotel however since they opened the rooftop bar the pool area may be off limits.

http://www.thehotelofsouthbeach.com/photogallery.htm#

Kinch, what hotel did you pick?

Even if you don't want to drink mojitos, the pool bar at the Delano is a must see. Love that place, they have pretty tasty margaritas too.

Well, just got an email from my TA...For the 3rd week in July, I can get The National for $166 per night City View Room or Ocean Front $210.50.Or we go for the Ritz Carlton South Beach,Resort View Room for $219.00 per night.

We havent picked a hotel yet. I was just trying to arm myself with some South Beach knowledge since I am probably the only person born and raised in Florida and hasnt been to South Beach yet. LOL

Beachboi, have you been to South Beach?

The hotels on Collins Avenue in the Lincoln Road area (which is both the RC and The National) are so far back from the ocean, you must be over the tree line in order to see the ocean.

I'd bet it is close to 3/4 of a mile from the road (which the hotels are on top of) to the water.

Personally, I'd take the RC Resort view. If you get a high enough resort view room at the RC you should be able to see the water.

Okay, I have the perfect place for you, Hotel Shelley. It's one block off of the beach, but by far it's the best hotel. I stayed there a few years ago and had a great time. The beds are nice (we got a room with two queens), kind of modern, not too much clutter. But the best part is the happy hour in the lobby every day at 5 pm.

If you are looking for a great boutique hotel, which wasn't that expensive-this is the place!!!!!

Enjoy!

Does anyone have any thoughts on the Cresent Resort? My girlfriend mentioned them and we can get a 2 bed/2 bath suite w/ sleeper sofa for $295 the first 3 nights and for $220 the last night. Before taxes.

For $250 in July I would go with a smaller room at one of the nicer oceanfront resorts on Collins north of 14th Street.

I would try:

The Delano
The Shore Club
The Ritz-Carlton
The Loews

The Crescent doesn't have a pool (I've walked by it a million times) and it is quite a ways to the beach.

It is looking like it might just be 2 of us.

I will keep looking at all the suggestions, thanks everyone.! Especially for the Mojito tips!

For $249 I'd stay at the National. It's on the beach, has a gorgeous pool and is in a very good location. Don't think you can get the Delano, etc for that price even in July.

Ok! We scored some tickets! Woohoo!

Unfortunately we got more than we needed. 3 tickets for Sat. show not so good seating and then we got 3 tickets for Sun. show awesome seating.

And it might be more of a family trip than a girls weekend. And 1 hubby isnt crazy about South Beach so we might travel north to Ft. Lauderdale.

Sorry for the changes! Any great reccomendations for Ft. Lauderdale?