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, just 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 its 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.
Highly recommended for budget
travellers; it is close to South Beach.
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 in low season. 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.
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 functional. Is home to the very popular
restaurant A Fish Called Avalon. 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 $150.
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
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