South Beach or Port of Miami?

[Dorie7]

I am taking my daughter on a cruise for her graduation and we will be departing on May 6 from Miami. We have never been to Miami before so I booked a flight for the 4th so that we will get a chance to spend a little time to see the sights.We are wondering whether it is best to stay in the famous South Beach or near the Port of Miami. We would like a fairly upscale hotel such as a Westin. My daughter is a young adult and I am a senior. Where would you suggest? Any particular hotel that would be safe and suitable?

 

Thank you for suggestions!

[TrentS]

Well since you're spending 2 nights I would highly recommend South Beach over downtown Miami. Downtown Miami is fine for a night, but other than Bayside Marketplace there isn't much there. There is just so much more to see and do in South Beach. There are many many restaurants and shops, plus all the sidewalk cafes along Ocean Drive that offer some of the best people watching on the planet. ;)

 

These are all nice, safe South Beach hotels within walking distance to everything South Beach has to offer...

 

South Beach Marriott... http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/MIAMB

 

Loews... http://www.loewshotels.com/hotels/miamibeach/default.asp

 

Marriott Courtyard South Beach (a budget alternative, 3 blocks from the beach)... http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/MIACB

 

Royal Palm... http://www.solmelia.com/solNew/hoteles/jsp/C_Hotel_Description.jsp?codigoHotel=5964

 

Hotel Victor (very nice, perfect location, my personal favorite)... http://hotelvictorsouthbeach.com/

 

Ritz-Carlton South Beach... http://www.ritzcarlton.com/resorts/south_beach/default.html

[Dorie7]

I will check out the Hotel Victor that you recommended. Thank you so much for your help. You seem tireless in your kindness on this board. You are much appreciated.

 

Dorie

[TrentS]

I should warn you, Hotel Victor isn't cheap, but it's a very cool place right on Ocean Drive, next door to the former Versace Mansion.

[Dorie7]

TRENTS

Oh, dear! Hotel Victor is $555.00 per night!! That is a bit too steep for me, unfortunately. Perhaps Sol Melia Royal PAlm will have to be an acceptable alternative. It has a relatively inexpensive rate of $319.00 per night online. Is that a reasonable rate or should I be trying to find a discount somewhere other than the hotel website?

 

Thanks again,

Dorie

[TrentS]

Oooh, I didn't think it would still be that high in May, but yes, it's pricey.

 

Yes, the Royal Palm is a nice hotel, direct oceanfront, and also in a great location.

 

There are many many hotels in South Beach, but the ones I listed are the ones I have been in and know to be nice places. A few things to be aware of with South Beach hotels if you shop around for others... Many hotels that call themselves "South Beach" are not in the real South Beach. Generally you don't want to be much higher than the 1700 block or it becomes to far to walk to the shops, restaurants, etc. Another thing is that many of the hotels are quite old. The nicer ones have been gutted, rebuilt, and modernized - They're the more expensive ones... Others haven't gone that far and many are quite scary. The general rule of thumb in South Beach is that the nice places aren't cheap and the cheap places aren't nice.

[nicknack]

Trent, for South Beach budget hotels, how would you compare the Courtyard Marriott with the Holiday Inn (assuming it remains open for a while)?? Did either one receive any major hurricane damage? The Holiday Inn is on the beach, and its rates include parking and beach chairs, but the Courtyard Marriott is more in the heart of South Beach, but three blocks from the beach.

[TrentS]

Trent, for South Beach budget hotels, how would you compare the Courtyard Marriott with the Holiday Inn (assuming it remains open for a while)?? Did either one receive any major hurricane damage? The Holiday Inn is on the beach, and its rates include parking and beach chairs, but the Courtyard Marriott is more in the heart of South Beach, but three blocks from the beach.

Oh, no contest between those 2... This Courtyard ( http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/MIACB ) is a very nice, clean, newly remodeled hotel, 3 blocks from the beach and yes, right in the heart of everything. The Holiday Inn is IMO a nasty, tired old dump that's ready for the wrecking ball. It's been well known that it's closing for some time now and no money seems to be being spent on it's upkeep.

[Dorie7]

TRENTS,

 

I booked the Royal Palm with a double Ocean front room. I hope that I made the right choice, we need two beds in the room. I couldn't find room configuration information, anywhere and the King was the same price so I am assuming that the double will have two beds. Do you know if this is correct? This is very important to us.

 

You have been such a great help deciding where to stay. Thank you.

 

Dorie

[BlueHerons]

You'll love South Beach and the Royal Palm. Gorgeous hotel right in the middle of a bunch of super lux hotels.

 

Agree with Trent on the Holiday Inn South Beach vs. The Courtyard by Marriott.

 

The Courtyard is so much nicer than you average CBM.

 

The only thing the HI has over the CBM is the fact that it is oceanfront but the rooftop pool at the CBM makes up for that fact.

[Dorie7]

Thanks for the encouragement. i am sure that we will enjoy the Royal Palm. My concern over choice here is with regard to room type within the choices in the hotel. We booked something called Oceanfront double.

 

It would be impossible for us to stay in a room with only one double bed but it is very important to have two beds in the room. By booking a room designated as a 'double' as opposed to a 'king' I am hoping that i am correct in assuming that this configuration has TWO double beds (even tho this is NOT specifically stated) because it is the same price as the King room. However, the Queen room is also the samae price. If there is, in fact, only one double bed in the room, then we need to change to a KIng room ASAP.

 

By the way, any ideas for things to do to occupy our time in Miami while waiting for our cruise? Would a visit to the Everglades be possible/advisable? Or is there enough to see and do on South Beach?

 

Thanks,

Dorie

[Bequia]

By the way, any ideas for things to do to occupy our time in Miami while waiting for our cruise? Would a visit to the Everglades be possible/advisable? Or is there enough to see and do on South Beach?

 

 

South Beach can easily keep you busy for a day. Check out the Wolfsonian Museum on Washington St http://www.wolfsonian.fiu.edu/. If you have more time you can do the Everglades, Key West day trip or even Sawgrass Mills. http://www.acetoursandtransportation.com/tours.htm

[TrentS]

Dorie, I've been in the Royal Palm, but I've only been in the King rooms. I would assume that the Double rooms would be 2 beds, but perhaps you'd better call them to confirm that because I couldn't guarantee it. :confused:

 

South Beach is filled with fun shops, fascinating old Art Deco buildings, and sidewalk cafes that you'll have plenty to see and do, but if you want to go to the Everglades that's also a lot of fun. This is the closest park to South Beach and gives you an idea of what to expect if you go out there... http://www.evsafaripark.com/

[LizaMM]

I stayed at the Royal Palm in South Beach pre cruise this past April with my DD and we had a fabulous time! We only flew in one day prior to the cruise but we arrived at the hotel at around 10:30AM so it was a full day at the beach.

 

I had booked this through Hotwire and as soon as it came through I called the hotel directly with questions and concerns. They were very helpful. When we arrived it turned out that they bumped us to a suite. I would definetly call them and ask about the room configuration.

 

Poolside was crowded during the middle of the day but there was a large group reunion staying there so that contibuted to all the saved lounge chairs. There was plenty of lovely space on the beach. The ocean water was to cold for my taste (I like it WARM) but DD had no problem.

 

There is certainly plenty to do and see just walking around the area.

 

We also took a cab and went to Bayside for a pre-cruise gathering with some fellow Cruise Critic folks and that was easily accomodated.

 

The staff at the hotel were very friendly and helpful.

 

We had lunch out by the pool which was just eh and overpriced. We both very much enjoyed breakfast in the restaurant. It was beautifully decorated and the food was very good there. You have a host of choices which are easily walked to.

 

I am sure that you made a great choice! Have a blast!!