Accommodation

 


The choice of accommodation here is pretty astounding and you are almost certain to find something to your taste and price range. What is also pretty good is that there are so many hotels and accommodation directories online, so you can sort out where to stay very easily whilst still in Europe.

If you are on a package deal, you'll most probably stay in North Miami Beach, in an area called Sunny Isles (which is in the process of being renamed "Aventura Beach"). The area is nothing much, basically a row of motels by the sea and shops and restaurants over the road. However, the beach is lovely, the sea is warm and you are very close to one of the best shopping malls is SE Florida, Aventura Mall. If you want to spend a little bit more money, go to South Beach and experience Miami Beach at it's most famous. It is noisy, crowded, crazy but that's why people love it. A perfect place for people-watching!

Don't bother staying in Downtown Miami or any other area, unless on business, because you'll miss out on the great beaches.

Here is a list of some recommended places for Miami Beach (please note that the area code for Miami is 305 and you can phone from Europe by adding 00 1 305 before the local number):

Low cost: (back to top)
Clay International Hostel (1438 Washington Avenue Tel: 534 2988)
Very popular with the young crowd from Europe. You don't have to be a YHA member to stay there. Prices from $14 for a bed in a dormitory to $40 for a hotel room. Highly recommended for budget travellers; it is close to South Beach.

International Travellers Hotel (236 Ninth Street Tel: 534 0268)
Dormitories and private rooms. Again, excellent location. Prices start at $15.

Brigham Gardens Guest House (1411 Collins Avenue Tel: 531 1331)
Run by a mother and daughter partnership. Beautiful tropical garden. Many rooms have kitchenettes with a microwave and a fridge. Singles start at about $70. Highly recommended.

Park Washington Hotel (1020 Washington Avenue Tel: 532 1930)
Lovely smallish hotel with tropical gardens and a small swimming pool. Each room has a fridge and free coffee and pastries are served in the lobby every morning. Singles from $80.

Medium priced: (back to top)
Park Central Hotel (640 Ocean Drive Tel: 538 1611)
Fully modernised art deco hotel, right in the thick of the action. Recommended by many guides, it has 75 rooms and has a fashionable restaurant on the premises. Singles are from £130.

Avalon Hotel (700 Ocean Drive Tel: 538 0133)
Art deco classic with smallish rooms but clean and functionable. Is home to the very popular restaurant A Fish Called Avalon in the lobby and outside. Prices start at $130 for a single.

Cardozo Hotel (1300 Ocean Drive Tel: 535 6500)
Owned by Gloria Estefan and her husband and featured in the Robin Williams film, The Birdcage. Very elegant with a modern design. Another hotel with a good restaurant, the Allioli. Singles from $140.

Expensive: (back to top)
The Delano (1685 Collins Avenue Tel: 672 2000)
This predominantly white hotel is home to three bars and the Blue Door restaurant (named after the hotel's front door...) and is supposed to be a favourite of celebs. Singles from $200

Casa Grande Suite Hotel (834 Ocean Drive Tel: 672 7003)
Another suite-only hotel owned by Chris Blackwell of Island Records and part of the Island Outpost resort, which includes six hotels. A studio is $230.

Marlin (1200 Collins Avenue Tel: 673 8770)
The interior is designed by Barbara Hulanicki of Biba fame. Houses the South Beach Studios for anyone planning to record an album on their stay in Miami (and thus is quite populary with pop/rock stars). Only suites available (12) and each have been individually decorated. A studio is $260, a one bedroom suite from $290.

Fontainebleau Hilton Resort and Spa (4441 Collins Avenue Tel: 538 2000)
Absolutely huge hotel with 1,206 rooms. Has a beautiful pool set in tropical gardens, great facilities and a shopping arcade in the basement. Singles from $290, doubles from $315, suites from $410.

More Links: (back to top)
Art Deco Hotels of Miami Good listing, and also provides some links (a rarity!)

Discount Hotel Booking Site Pretty extensive directory, also offers some good deals with online booking

HotelGuide Miami Another good, clearly laid-out directory

Southeast Florida Travel Directory Good website covering all areas of SE Florida