My husband and I are doing a 10 day Florida trip in mid/late January, mostly to visit family and friends who have moved (permanently) south. So we'll be in the Jacksonville area a few days, then Ft Lauderdale and environs for a while. But we thought we'd end our trip with 3 nights (I guess that's 4 days) in Miami - we've only ever driven through, or been in the airport.

Friends have told me to stay in South Beach. I've been looking at hotels and can't quite decide. We'll have a car (we fly back from Ft Lauderdale), and parking fees are pretty pricey. Also, we're in our 60s and very much want a place that's quiet, has a nice pool with lots of available shade, and beach access.

I just read a recent post that promoted Coral Gables as an alternative place to stay so perhaps I'll look into that.

Anyway, we're not really looking to spend $500+ for a hotel room, I'd like to keep it (with resort fees etc.) closer to $300, less would be delightful.

SO, suggestions on hotels? We do like walking around, we don't mind public transport. We'll likely be out and about doing things until later in the afternoon, which is when the pool/ beach come into it. I have received many great recommendations from these forums over the years (and posted quite a few trip reports myself), so I hope some of you have suggestions for me.

Thanks very much in advance,
Alice

There are many great hotels in South Beach, but I suspect they'll be very pricey in January. We were in South Beach in February 2015 and the Hampton Inn was almost $300 a night. I checked the Delano for 3 random nights in mid-January and the least expensive room is close to $700.

I AM seeing deals through Expedia, and even on some hotel sites, but don't know which are the better places. I really don't want to be in a party destination.

Are we better off somewhere other than South Beach? Bay side? Also, I don't mind being block or two off the beach, as long as we have beach access.

Alice

Take a look at the SoBeYou B&B. Should be in your price range. Centrally located in South Beach. They'll give you a free parking pass that allows you to park on the street.

I'm no expert on this as I have not been to Miami for several years - I am thinking tho that going north from SoBe you would find better value. The beach runs a long ways, buses run frequently, and SoBe can be raucos and pricey. Coral Gables is nice but a ways from the beach. Maybe look on a hotel booking website at hotels north of SoBe to find one with a nice pool.

That makes sense, I will give that a try. Thanks, suec1.

Alice

The very south end of South beach, called SoFi, south of Fifth, is quieter and the is why we stayed there. We were in the Hilton Bentley right on a beautiful broad beach. We used Hilton points.

Thanks HappyTrvlr, I'll take a look at that area, as well as the Hilton (although I don't have points..).

Alice

>>and SoBe can be raucos and pricey.

If you are interested in very Old School (mid 50s) motel steps from the beach on Key Biscayne try the Silver Sands.

You can walk all the way to Bill Baggs (Cape Florida). It was often where locals who lived inland would go for a beach vacation.

Think you can book on any of the third party sites or call them direct.

So we ended up at the old Art Deco Leslie Hotel. I BEGGED for a quiet room and I think we got the quietest, up on the 3rd floor in the back. It wasn't silent, but with the white noise app on the phone, it was fine. Right in the middle of SoBe, we walked everywhere, and there was a lovely rooftop pool. We enjoyed the Art Deco walking tour, went to Miami to visit Little Havana (and eat a frita!), and Wynwood for the wall murals. We had lovely weather (after a lot of cold).

We also went to the Jewish Museum, which was very interesting and the Wolfsonian which has quite a collection.

Good trip, altogether.

Thanks for your help!

Alice