Hotel and brunch at South Beach, Miami

[Magicia]

My wife and I will be returning to Miami from a cruise on a Sunday morning in November and will stay for two days. We have never been to Miami before and based on advice in this forum we plan to stay in South Beach. Although we will have a small breakfast before leaving the ship we should like to take the opportunity of enjoying a brunch (early lunch!). We will not have a car.

 

We are wondering whereabouts along South Beach would be best to stay. A hotel where restaurants serving breakfast/brunch are within easy walking distance would be ideal. Specific recommendations would be appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance for your help.

[BlueHerons]

My wife and I will be returning to Miami from a cruise on a Sunday morning in November and will stay for two days. We have never been to Miami before and based on advice in this forum we plan to stay in South Beach. Although we will have a small breakfast before leaving the ship we should like to take the opportunity of enjoying a brunch (early lunch!). We will not have a car.

 

We are wondering whereabouts along South Beach would be best to stay. A hotel where restaurants serving breakfast/brunch are within easy walking distance would be ideal. Specific recommendations would be appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

What is your budget for brunch?

 

I think Nikki Beach is absolutely amazing for brunch for fantastic sushi and carving stations but it is $50 without tax, tip, or beverage. It is really a once in a lifetime thing.

 

Nikki Beach will be a bit of a scene but it is really cool and there is no doubt you are in South Beach.

 

As far as hotels, what time of year and what is your budget?

 

One of my favorite things in this world is a boozy Sunday Brunch in South Beach then crashing by my hotel pool!

[Magicia]

What is your budget for brunch?

 

I think Nikki Beach is absolutely amazing for brunch for fantastic sushi and carving stations but it is $50 without tax, tip, or beverage. It is really a once in a lifetime thing.

 

Nikki Beach will be a bit of a scene but it is really cool and there is no doubt you are in South Beach.

 

As far as hotels, what time of year and what is your budget?

 

One of my favorite things in this world is a boozy Sunday Brunch in South Beach then crashing by my hotel pool!

 

Thanks for your prompt reply. To answer your questions: I have not given much thought to the cost of a brunch, but $50pp is outside our budget. We will be in Miami at the end of November and are looking for a moderately priced hotel, perhaps something in the $200 range.

[BlueHerons]

Thanks for your prompt reply. To answer your questions: I have not given much thought to the cost of a brunch, but $50pp is outside our budget. We will be in Miami at the end of November and are looking for a moderately priced hotel, perhaps something in the $200 range.

 

For hotels try: The South Seas, The Catalina, Cordozo, The Marseilles to start.

 

South Beach hotels run Midtown Manhattan restaurant prices but some less expensive places to eat: News Café (best for people watching), Pizza Rustica, Nexxt Café, Big Pink, Puerto Saga (Cuban), Montys (best place to watch cruise ships leave), Tap Tap (Haitian on Espanola Way which is stunning), Havana 1957 (Espanola Way, Cuban).

 

Whatever you do, DO NOT eat at any of the ocean drive restaurants except for News Café. They will get you in the door with the promise of a $1.99 omlet then charge you $20 for each cup of coffee you order, no refills. When you complain, they threaten to have you arrested.

[Magicia]

For hotels try: The South Seas, The Catalina, Cordozo, The Marseilles to start.

 

South Beach hotels run Midtown Manhattan restaurant prices but some less expensive places to eat: News Café (best for people watching), Pizza Rustica, Nexxt Café, Big Pink, Puerto Saga (Cuban), Montys (best place to watch cruise ships leave), Tap Tap (Haitian on Espanola Way which is stunning), Havana 1957 (Espanola Way, Cuban).

 

Whatever you do, DO NOT eat at any of the ocean drive restaurants except for News Café. They will get you in the door with the promise of a $1.99 omlet then charge you $20 for each cup of coffee you order, no refills. When you complain, they threaten to have you arrested.

 

Thank you for the detailed information. Looking at the map the hotels you suggest are in between 18th and 13th streets, which certainly narrows my search. Might there be any not too expensive hotels with restaurants close by a little further south, in the Art Deco area?

 

Thank you for the warning about Ocean Drive restaurants.

[bostonbill]

I stayed at 'The Gale' 2 years ago and loved it....it's on the north end of the main action but is walking distance to the Lincoln Mall(dozens of outdoor eateries) in 3 weeks I'll be staying at "The Hotel at South Beach"....looks like it is in the center of South beach....both hotels were right at $200 night via Booking.com

[BlueHerons]

Thank you for the detailed information. Looking at the map the hotels you suggest are in between 18th and 13th streets, which certainly narrows my search. Might there be any not too expensive hotels with restaurants close by a little further south, in the Art Deco area?

 

Thank you for the warning about Ocean Drive restaurants.

 

That is the art deco area. Pretty much everything below 21st Street is the deco area. South of Fifth (SoFi) is very expensive. Lincoln Road Mall and Espanola Way are both in that area. I gave you two restaurants in Espanola Way. There used to be a TGI Fridays on Fifth and Ocean Drive. Not sure about that any longer.

 

I stayed at 'The Gale' 2 years ago and loved it....it's on the north end of the main action but is walking distance to the Lincoln Mall(dozens of outdoor eateries) in 3 weeks I'll be staying at "The Hotel at South Beach"....looks like it is in the center of South beach....both hotels were right at $200 night via Booking.com

 

LOVE The Hotel. One of my very favorites in South Beach. You'll love the rooftop pool. Fair warning that rooms can be very small but you will not care because of the location. BTW, that is a steal for that hotel. I got a last minute, Florida resident, locals rate of $437 per night during the South Beach Wine & Food Festival.

Edited September 29, 2015 by BlueHerons

[Magicia]

I stayed at 'The Gale' 2 years ago and loved it....it's on the north end of the main action but is walking distance to the Lincoln Mall(dozens of outdoor eateries) in 3 weeks I'll be staying at "The Hotel at South Beach"....looks like it is in the center of South beach....both hotels were right at $200 night via Booking.com

 

Thanks for adding a couple more options at South Beach. The Hotel on South Beach looks very nice, and very good value. I checked out the Hotel's own site and a couple of booking sites like Booking.com, but I could not find the Hotel at South Beach on Trip Advisor. I found the Gale OK. There are several hotels with very similar names. Perhaps The Hotel at South Beach recently changed it name?

[bostonbill]

Opps....Try 'The Hotel of South Beach' 801 Collins Ave......

[Magicia]

Opps....Try 'The Hotel of South Beach' 801 Collins Ave......

 

That name did not work either! Finally I got it through a small link at the top of the Hotel's home page. Trip Advisor calls the hotel simply "The Hotel"!