Help with Miami/Key Largo

[mrs]

Hi everyone:grin:
Got back from 3 fabulous weeks in Orlando 2 weeks ago and have already booked Crowne Plaza for 9 nights starting 3rd May.
We want to then drive down to Miami and have 2 nights and 2 nights in Key Largo, doing the Dolphin Plus swim.
So I have a few Questions,
What hotels can you recommend in Miami/Key Largo?
What are your must do's in both places.
Any good websites to explore things to do?
Many Thanks
Mrs:)

[Amyrlin]

Dolphins Plus is in Key Largo, where you can swim with the dolphins, they have a good choice of ways to do it, strctured swims, with hoops etc, or natrual swims, where you simply share a pool woth them.

[Diane]

www.fla-keys.com is a good website to start researching things to do and accommodation. We stayed at Pines & Palms resort in Islamorada (not far from Key Largo) and it was very nice indeed.

We went on a snorkeling trip to Grecian Rocks in the John Pennekamp State Park and swam over the coral reef, it was a marvellous experience.
I can recommend the Islamorada Fish Company for a great meal.

Check out my trip report for details of my trip in 2005. http://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=52633

Hope this helps.

Diane x

[josephus_fl]

We were in Key Largo last Feb and we stayed @ Azul Del Mar.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g34344-d321341-Reviews-Azul_del_Mar-Key_Largo_Florida_Keys_Florida.html

This is the 1st hotel on the right in Key Largo and was amaxing. There are only 4/5 rooms of which they all have a lounge and kitchen. The rooms are in one block in a landscaped garden that has a slipway to the sea and great views of the sunset. In the garden are Tikki huts that have music systems built into them to play soothing music if you want.

The rooms were clean and the owner has taken real pride in the hotel. Every detail had been covered such as fresh pastries, yogurt and juice delivered to your door each morning, free books and DVD rental, information guide in each room etc.

There was a nice bar/restaurant a few minutes walk away other restaurants around a 5 min drive or 20 min walk.

This hotel is designed for adults and I would not reccomend it for familys as there is no swimming pool or beach.

I have been fortunate to have stayed in many hotels and without a doubt Azul Del Mar was the most relaxing and enjoyable accomodation I have stayed in.

[speedwayfan]

We were in Key Largo last Feb and we stayed @ Azul Del Mar.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g34344-d321341-Reviews-Azul_del_Mar-Key_Largo_Florida_Keys_Florida.html

This is the 1st hotel on the right in Key Largo and was amaxing. There are only 4/5 rooms of which they all have a lounge and kitchen. The rooms are in one block in a landscaped garden that has a slipway to the sea and great views of the sunset. In the garden are Tikki huts that have music systems built into them to play soothing music if you want.

The rooms were clean and the owner has taken real pride in the hotel. Every detail had been covered such as fresh pastries, yogurt and juice delivered to your door each morning, free books and DVD rental, information guide in each room etc.

There was a nice bar/restaurant a few minutes walk away other restaurants around a 5 min drive or 20 min walk.

This hotel is designed for adults and I would not reccomend it for familys as there is no swimming pool or beach.

I have been fortunate to have stayed in many hotels and without a doubt Azul Del Mar was the most relaxing and enjoyable accomodation I have stayed in.


I'm so glad you've given it such a good review - I'm staying there next month for the first time.

The same family have now opened another property in Key West too, but I had booked my accommodation there before they knew the opening date fully.

Names of the decent restaurants nearby would be appreciated or any other information you may think of.

SF

[ariel2006]

We went to Miami for a week in August and stayed in the Newport Beachside Hotel. Its not as contemporary looking as other hotels and its not on South Beach which is the really popular, busy area but we really liked it. The hotel is right on Sunny Isle Beach which is nice and clean and has a pier full of Pelicans. It has a nice swimming pool by the beach, a lobby bar, an Italian restaurant (with good food and cocktails...great value in happy hour-$5 for 4 beers), a gift shop, clothes shop, jewelery shop, coffee and icecream shop, arcade and fitness centre. The rooms are suites with a nice size lounge with fridge, microwave etc and we had a spa tub in the room and a balcony overlooking the pool and beach. Although its not in South Beach it was in a good location and near some good restaurants, takeaways and shops.
As far as things to do, definately do a boat tour from Bayside Marketplace. You get to go all round the bay and see all the luxury houses on star and fisher island as well as soaking up the great Miami atmosphere. If you like shopping check out Sawgrass Mall, about 30minutes away and full of great shops and restaurants.
Hope this helps