Anyone been to Miami recently?

iwanttoberich

I am trying to find a nice hotel in Miami for a couple days in December, around Ocean Drive or South Beach area. Any suggestions welcome.

problemcashback

sorry cant recommend a hotel, we went there in May and were dissappointed only went for the morning just to say we had been but it didnt seem to live up to its reputation. Spoke with others and some love it others were the same as us. Good place for breakfast is 11th Steet dinner a proper old fashioned dinner.

try hotwire, we got a great deal in coral gables, $400 room for less than $100.

Matt2389

Have a look on voyage prive...they have some great deals for hotels in Miami at the moment..

shinhead

we went in may stopped in the park central on ocean drive if you llike art deco then ocean drive is great but i will say it is more expensive than usual
we had a great time but probably spent more than we did in new york great place thou

stoneman

Yes, we have been and stayed in that area last year. Quit honest, it is a !!!! hole. The service at South Beach has to be the worst I have ever experienced in any part of the world, ever!The waiters are rude and scam you out of your money, bartenders are the same except they are not rude. The Art Deco hotels, although they look nice, have very small rooms and there will be a lot of noise from the bars very late into the evening/morning.
If you are only there for a couple of days, spark out some decent money and stay in one of the nice hotels on Collins ave. We stayed at Loews, one of the most fabulous hotels I have stayed in, and I have stayed in a few. Have a look at Travalaxe for comparing hotel prices, and look at Google Maps to get an idea where the hotel is.

jackywhizz

H. We went to Miami at Easter and stayed at The Crescent Resort on South Beach. This is a time share property so the rooms are large with separate bedrooms and a full kitchen. There is no pool but the beach is over the road. Its reasonably priced for the area. South Beach is great with a real party atmosphere but prices are higher than elsewhere in Florida and service charge is automatically added to all your bills.
We loved Sobe and would go again. Its not a large area so you feel as tho you are on holiday as soon as you arrive. North beach is totally different. Big hotels with lots of facilities but soulless.

If you prefer a hotel with all the facilities Loews is just north of Ocean Drive. can also recommend the 11th street Diner but be warned the portions are "HUGE". Miami Duck Tours is also a must do - very entertaining.

neilbond007

stoneman wrote: »

Yes, we have been and stayed in that area last year. Quit honest, it is a !!!! hole.

Agree 100%. Stopped in Miami for a night while on the way to the Keys. It's nothing like you see on CSI Miami!

We stopped in "Hyatt Summerfield Suites - Miami Airport". Was cheap and had great reviews.

payless

stayed at Albion http://www.rubellhotels.com/default.aspx?pg=home

nice and close to eateries ,rooms small but good price , although go around corner and area a bit rough

angelaloveschocolate

Was there in March, stayed at the Chesterfield Hotel, one block from Ocean Drive. I was horrified at the hotel, yes it was art deco but the room was like a run down cheap brothel, AND IT WAS NOT CHEAP. I actually felt afraid and intimadated. Thankfully I was only there for two nights. A busy and noisy area that I wont be rushing back to. Take Stonemans advice and pay extra for a good hotel a little further back from Ocean drive.

iwanttoberich

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I have decided to stay away from Ocean Drive. Stoneman, Loews looks wonderful but is a wee bit expensive for me. I think I will try The Anglers on Washington Avenue. It has received good reviews on Trip Advisor and the area looks pretty decent on Google Maps.

stoneman

iwanttoberich wrote: »

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I have decided to stay away from Ocean Drive. Stoneman, Loews looks wonderful but is a wee bit expensive for me. I think I will try The Anglers on Washington Avenue. It has received good reviews on Trip Advisor and the area looks pretty decent on Google Maps.

Watch it, Washington is one dump of a road, not one I would walk down at night. We did stay one night at Island House on Collins, doesn't look much from the outside but right across the street from SoBe, they will lend you beach things like body boards, umbrellas, deckchairs, etc for free. Free breakfast that you make yourself in the kitchen. Not the most glamorous place but cheap as chips, large rooms, and the people that run it are great, and you can't beat the location. As mentioned do the Duck tour! Oh, and Jerrys Diner is great for a bit to eat.
We are flying into MIA in November for our cruise and staying at the airport, no wish to go to SoBe again.

A little story. The waiters add 18% to your bill, which BTW you can take off if you want, it isn't obligatory, and if it comes to $20.04 and you give them $21, they don't come back with the 96c, they keep that too. So our bill at the Colony for a rubbish Pizza, undrinkable red wine and bad service comes to $45.34 inc tip. I didn't want to give them a penny more than I had to so left $45, still a 17% tip. Anyway, we get 2 blocks up the road and the waiter comes chasing after us and says I owe him 34 cents, argument ensues and he goes away with a flee in his ear. Honest, you couldn't make it up.