Hi there!
I just joined Fodor's. Seems like a great website! I am going to Miami, South Beach in the end of February for a weekend with a friend. We're both in our mid 20's. It is my first time in Miami and i am super excited! We already booked a flight and now looking for a hotel in a price range $100-200/night. Nothing too fancy as long as it is clean, has a fitness facility. Pool and continental breakfast would be a definite bonus but not a necessity.
I am also thinking about trying out Windsurfing or diving. Maybe somebody has experience and can suggest a place for rentals/lessons. Any recommendations for food places would be appreciated as well ( more or less healthy options) like breakfast/brunch, authentic cuisines. Shopping on a budget probably is not an option in Miami but i guess i will have to explore ( i was thinking about renting a bike and just ride around the city).
Any ideas and suggestions are welcomed! Thank you guys!

Best,
Margarita

Here is a very nice, clean, hotel with continental breakfast. Even the premium rooms (at the higher weekend rates) are with your price range.

http://www.centurysouthbeach.com/

Not sure about a SB hotel with pool, fitness center, etc. in your price range on weekends. Maybe someone else here can help with that.

You may want to consider Ft Lauderdale, which is about 30 -35 miles north... The main strip is exactly what you're looking for.....The kite surfing is absolutely Fantastic, w/ a little schooling..
The beach is vast, w/ many bars and restaurants across the street...


Rent a car and "Go for it"

There is no need to go all the way up to Ft. Lauderdale for kite/wind surfing. (EJK I think she wants to stay in SOBE).

There is a place on Key Biscayne that is supposed to be one of the best places to take lessons and surf.

Unfortunately I do not know the name or where exactly it is, so perhaps someone who sees this might be able to chime in.

The best area to browse and shop in SOBE would be Lincoln Road and along Alton Rd between Lincoln and 15th, where there are some interesting shops, though the Alton Rd area is not wall to wall shops, there are some interesting ones.

Since you like to shop, I would also recommend a trip up to the "Shops of Bal Harbour" about 10 minutes from SOBE right up the road on Collins Ave.

It is a beautiful open air mall with all the designers present, so it is a fun place to window shop, but there is also a second level which has the normal mall stores.

There is also a nice Italian restaurant called Carpaccios there known for their great service and nice patio area. Great people watching place.

Hotels I would recommend in the price range are The Palms in Miami Beach. It is just a few blocks north of SOBE but because of that the rates are much better and the hotel is quite nice with a great pool and beach area.

The Century hotel is a very cute boutique style hotel, but it can be a little noisy at night depending on your room, and it does not have central air. Like 99% of the small older hotels in Miami they use window A/C which at least for me is a deal breaker anywhere I travel...just a personal preference.

Just try to avoid the Ocean drive hotels unless you dont mind noise all night long.

The Winterhaven Hotel on Ocean Drive is wonderful. Rooms are very clean (but small, as are most hotel rooms right in SB), the staff is amazingly helpful, and they have free continental breakfast every morning.

Our favorite restaurant in Miami is a place called Aura, right on Lincoln Road. We make it a point to eat there every time we're in Miami.

For a quick and easy lunch, try La Sandwicherie which is located on 14th between Collins and Washington. It's just a little counter place but the sandwiches are wonderful.

Have a great time. SB is one of our favorite vacation spots.