Miami hotel suggestions for January '06

[sgttami]

I stayed for 3 nights in FLL last year (Hyatt Pier 66) and know the area but have never stayed in Miami pre-cruise. Thought of going back to the Hyatt but don't want the long drive.

 

Lots of places are already booked for January. I don't do the bidding thing and am looking for someplace midway between the Miami airport and the Miami pier....

 

Any suggestions...thanks

[TrentS]

Well there's nothing midway between Miami airport and the Port of Miami except a ghetto and you don't want to stay there! ;)

 

It's best to stay in downtown Miami, there are several nice hotels to choose from, all just a few minutes from the port ...

 

JW Marriott (VERY nice hotel, great AAA rates, would be my choice)... http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/miajw

 

Intercontinental... http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ic/1/en/hd/miaha?irs=null

 

Hyatt Regency Miami... http://miamiregency.hyatt.com/property/index.jhtml

 

Biscayne Bay Marriott... http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/miabb

 

Or if you want the absolute best...

 

Mandarin Oriental... http://www.mandarinoriental.com/hotel/526000001.asp

 

Four Seasons... http://www.fourseasons.com/miami/index.html

[sgttami]

Thank you..I had a feeling you would come to the rescue..

 

I actually didn't mean midway "between", more or less, I didn't want to go 20 or 30 miles out of the way...(then I'd be in FLL!!)

 

There are SO many Marriott's. I did look into Biscayne Bay Marriott. ($269) That is available and I can use some Marriott points. I think JW was booked as were one or two of the others you mentioned.

 

I looked at Holiday Inn Downtown but in past experience, HI is either really nice or a flea bag...(even if the website looks OK).

 

Don't want to wait too long as I know everything for winter books pretty quick...Thanks again, Pam

[TrentS]

Yeah, Marriott seems to have South Florida pretty well covered! Biscayne Bay Marriott is nice, typical Marriott, and the south east view rooms have a spectacular view of the channel and the Port of Miami. It's the best hotel from which to view your ship coming in the morning of your cruise. :)

 

The downtown Holiday Inn is in a great location right across the street from Bayside Marketplace (http://www.baysidemarketplace.com/). It's very popular with many on here, but it's not anywhere near as nice as the others I mentioned. If JW Marriott is booked, but you can use points at Biscayne Bay Marriott I'd go with that one.

[sgttami]

Thanks for your help and the link to Bayside Marketplace. Looks like quite a variety of restaurants and stores.

 

I'm guessing we will do the Marriott Biscayne...thanks...Pam

[TrentS]

South Beach is also a great place to go too, it's only a 10 minute cab ride from the Biscayne Bay Marriott. Ocean Drive between 5th and 15th Streets is full of sidewalk cafes in front of all the old art deco hotels, and offers some of the best people watching on the planet as well as good food. There are many many fun shops along Collins Avenue and Lincoln Road mall as well.

[xrayvin]

We will also be staying in Miami in Jan 2006~I was amazed at the cost of the hotels. We ended up at the Radisson on Biscayne Blvd for $125 a night (two night min) this was through the cruise line (RCCL). What hotel did you end up with and what ship are you going on?:)

[xrayvin]

I just realized you will be doing a New Years cruise on the Radiance of the Seas. That could be why your hotels are booked, the Orange Bowl is Jan 3, 2006!! I hope you found something, I am sure you did being your posts are a month old. Have fun on your cruise, I think a New Years cruise would be amazing!