Assistance please- Miami hotels?

[vegasdriven]

Sorry, this might be kind of a lengthy inquiry:

We have a Regent Splendour cruise booked for Feb 22 (if it happens, it happens, but if it does I want to be prepared), arriving in Miami(hopefully, 3 days prior, with 2 nights post cruise, as well. We live on the west coast so getting to Miami in the middle of winter not the easiest, hence the padding of days pre and post.

 

Because I like to account for all eventualities (as much as that is possible in these times), I would like to book an inexpensive hotel for the first night as there is a good chance we could miss the connection from Charlotte, and if that happens I would feel better not wasting one night in a $500 a night hotel. Then we would haul a__ out of there to something like the Epic or Intercontinental in the Brickell area where we will spend a fantastic couple of days in luxury, getting ready for our luxury cruise.

 

Post cruise I am looking at eb hotel by the airport, as it looks pretty nice, and we have to catch a 7 am flight on the second morning.

 

So a couple of questions, should I book the hotels through my TA (other than the first night, as I am sure a luxury cruise specialist probably doesn't deal with that sort of hotel)?

 

Originally we were going to book something in South beach, but have been reading that the area is not too safe in these Covid times, please correct me if you feel differently?

 

I think we will be quite happy just hanging around the Brickell area for the couple of days pre cruise, but wondered if a hoho bus tour might be a good idea for our last full day before returning home. We stayed in Coral Gables before our last cruise in 2019, and wandered around that area (which we enjoyed- myself more then DH, as he doesn't like sore feet), so we don't need to see that area again.

 

Of course, I will be booking something I can cancel if we have to cancel the cruise, just wondered how others are handling hotels? Do you book this early, or are you doing things differently this year for any reasons I haven't thought of?

 

If you have got this far, thanks for slogging through it, and looking forward to any, and all opinions or suggestions.

[LHT28]

You could  also ask on the Florida Departure forum for hotel advice

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/386-florida-departures/

 

You could take the HOHO on  disembarkation day & they will store your bag  & drop you at the airport    ..then if your airport hotel has a shuttle   ot just grab a taxi after the tour

 

We usually stay at the Hampton Inn in Brickell  not luxury   but we liked the location

 

[mj_holiday]

We usually stay at the Holiday Inn on Biscayne Blvd.  You can see the port out your window.  There is an area with shops and restaurants just across the street.  It is not luxury, but clean and safe.

[princeton123211]

15 hours ago, vegasdriven said:

should I book the hotels through my TA (other than the first night, as I am sure a luxury cruise specialist probably doesn't deal with that sort of hotel)?

In todays day and age there is generally very little reason to book a hotel with a travel agent. Many of the same benefits a luxury travel agent used to provide are easily available either directly through the hotel itself or through things like American Express Platinum benefits. We have done a bunch of travel in covid times and the most flexible arrangements have always been available through the hotels directly. 

 

15 hours ago, vegasdriven said:

Originally we were going to book something in South beach, but have been reading that the area is not too safe in these Covid times, please correct me if you feel differently?

Spring break apparently was a disaster there but wouldn't be as much of an issue in Feb 2021 as it doesn't happen until March. That being said South Beach is fun to visit but isn't my first choice of a place to stay in the Miami area. If I were the Ritz Carlton South Beach would most likely be the one I'd choose. 

 

The hotels in Brickell are frankly a bit uninspiring-- tall towers that are full of business people. The Four Seasons there is pretty much devoid of much character and you could be anywhere. The Mandarin Oriental is most likely the most interesting of the bunch there. 

 

A great alternative would be the spectacular Four Seasons Surfside a tiny bit further north towards Bal Harbour. Its not cheap but the renovation they did is amazing the the hotel is right on the beach (but away from all she shenanigans of South Beach). 

 

Usually when we are in the area though we take the trip but further north to the Ritz Carlton Ft Lauderdale. Its a 5 star experience thats often priced a lot less than similar hotels in Miami proper and its right on the beach with a ton to do around it. 

 

15 hours ago, vegasdriven said:

Of course, I will be booking something I can cancel if we have to cancel the cruise, just wondered how others are handling hotels? Do you book this early, or are you doing things differently this year for any reasons I haven't thought of?

Unlike the majority of the country Florida has been open for a while and pricing reflects that. I would book early to get the best price-- last minute deals are not going to be around by the time you travel as they have the past few months. As I said above, we have found that booking directly with hotels gave us the most flexibility in cancellation policies (some of them would even do 6pm on the day of arrival!). 

[vegasdriven]

Thanks all, esp. Princeton123211. Just the kind of info I was looking for. 

[vistaman]

i stayed in the mandarin oriental - what I found far too  overpriced - and in the Mondrian a few times when I a was staying more than 1 night in Miami prior to a cruise

years ago also in the Fontainbleu when it was Hilton  managed 

if i just stay 1 night  i do book the Intercontinental and as a dayroom the Pullmann near the air port ( it is ok  do not expect more  - it is clean however with a garden and a pool and transfer to the airport offered )

[EAGLESLOVER]

We are on the Splendor February 2022 also. Beautiful ship

we stayed in South Beach last time we cruised from Miami (also Splendor her 2nd and last cruise). Will not stay there again. A bit too crowded and rowdy for us  We have booked a couple nights at the Intercontinental   Fully refundable but it now sounds like we will sail 🤗

[vegasdriven]

Ended up booking at Mr C hotel in Coconut grove. Looks like a lovely small boutique hotel.

Coconut grove looks like a nice laid back area, with good restaurants within walking distance, and some parks to explore. We really don't need the beach, though we could uber there for an evening if we feel like it. We did that from Coral gables the last time, and enjoyed that, but I somehow think we will just be happy relaxing at our hotel, and exploring Coconut grove.

I think we will try to do the little Havana culinary tour, though, with maybe a side trip from there to Wynnwood walls.