Where to Stay Miami or Ft Lau.
 

We will be flying into Fort Lauderdale on a Friday staying overnight somewhere and then driving to Key West on Saturday.
Since we have Friday and part of Saturday to enjoy..which city would you recommend gettting a hotel. Miami or Fort Lauderdale and in what area.

Thanks Andrea

Hi Andrea:
What do you want to do or see? its hard to recommend something not knowing what your looking for, night life or simply want to relax, if you are going to the Keys I think it's best if you stay in Miami then again not sure where you are coming from (how long of a flight you had) or what time of the day you get here, traffic is horrendous! and may be something you don't want to do it you had a long flight, please give us some more details, hope this helps.
Gina

Miami is a vibrant international city while Ft. Lauderdale is a soul-less tourist trap.

I'd stay in South Beach.

Miami - you will be an hour ahead when you leave for Key West. There is more to do there as well.

I love both Miami and Fort Lauderdale.

One thing to consider, Fort Lauderdale is an affluent area with great shopping, attractions, and dining while Miami is a foreign city with a very wide range of shopping, dining, and attractions.

Miami is a culturally vibrant and spicey town while Fort Lauderdale is more laid back.

South Beach is its own beast.

If you give me an idea of what you want to do and your budget, I can give you specific advice.

FWIW, I love both places (spend a lot of time there, sis in Miami and parents in Key West) and leaving for there on Sunday.

I love both places as well because they offer something totally different.

Personally I think I would go for Ft Lauderdale simlpy because I prefer the relaxed vibe there. Yes it is very "touristy" but Miami has it's fair share also, especially south beach.

I never really worry about other tourists though, I'm one also so why should I have anything against a bunch of other people wanting to do or see the same things that interest me?

Layla %%-

WEll, I like spicey. We will be flying in from WI..Go Packers! We will arrive in Ft Lauderdale around noon so we have time to spend Friday afternoon and Saturday..I don't really want to spend over 150 for a room but I am a whiz on Price Line. Maybe Miami is the place..where is a good place to stay.
Andrea
Oh by the way, we are going to the game on Sunday,Packers/Giants,frigid temps, below 0...wish us luck.

Then I would go to Hotwire or priceline and try and get a room in South Beach.

One thing to remember, the majority of the hotels in South Beach are not oceanfront so don't let that deter you from getting a room.

In the moderate range, I like the following hotels:

The South Seas (oceanfront)
The Cordoza
The Marseilles (oceanfront)
Doubletree Surfcomber (oceanfront)
Courtyard By Marriott South Beach

It is a holiday weekend so you may not be able to stick to your budget but it will be worth the splurge. South Beach is tons of fun.

Forgot to add, whatever you do, do not take I-95 from FLL to Miami. Take A1A.

Oh gosh! Not this debate again... I live one hour north of Miami and take I-95 all the time. Unless you are going during rush hour (4-6) you should have no problem taking I-95 (unless, of course, there's an accident). A1A this time of year will be all stop and go, and it is not a scenic drive at all. GoTravel and I will simply have to disagree on this. I've lived in south Florida for 35 years and I know no one who would dream of taking A1A from Ft. Lauderdale to Miami.

Cimbrone, as a tourist it is a much nicer drive.

My girlfriend and I take A1A all the time from FLL to South Beach. She actually lives right off 17th Street on the water so technically she does live there.

The only time I know for sure we are taking I-95 is next Sunday morning to get to the start of the Miami Marathon.

FWIW, we take A1A because she's already on the beach and we usually head to South Beach so it doesn't make much sense to go that far inland other than the little hiccup around the airport.

Does that make better sense?

Well, if the OP decides to take your advice, it's not the end of the world. But I still say that, even with the detour west to I-95, it's likely to be a MUCH faster drive than A1A with many stop lights and huge traffic since we're in the height of the tourist season. And, even for a tourist, the strip malls and condo canyons she'll be driving through should hold little appeal. Just my opinion. What's nice is that the OP can weigh our advice and do as she chooses. :)