has anyone stayed at these hotels

[tonio]

Hi everyone, for the past few days I have been looking for a budget hotel, for 2 days in miami, I have just looked on www.octupustravel.com and there was two hotels.
1. howard johnson dezerland
2.dorchester in art deco area

has anyone info on these, thanks

toni

[Diane]

Hi Toni

We booked Howard Johnson Dezerland for our last trip and then I investigated reviews on Tripadviser.com and holidaysuncovered.com - both gave really terrible feedback for this hotel, so we cancelled and booked the Thunderbird instead. I have no actual experience of either hotel you mention but didn't want to take the risk with the HJ, hopefully there will be someone else on the Dibb who can help you further.

Diane x

[tonio]

thanks for your reply, I find when I go on the tripadvisor, the americans expect sooo much from a hotel, and sometimes other people from other countries wondered what all the fuss was about, but like you it does put me off, so I will keep the thread alive for a little while, thanks again

toni

[tonio]

just had a look on tripadvisor, I am not going to either of them, well I will just have to keep looking.

toni

[Diane]

Yes, I also find it hard to distinguish a true review from high expectations on Tripadvisor. However on www.holidaysuncovered.com I find that all the reviews come from British tourists who have booked through Virgin, Jetsave, TCD etc and you often get a more realistic viewpoint here.

I hope you find this useful.

Diane x

[BevS97]

I haven't stayed in Miami but I am pretty sure the Thunderbird gets good reviews on here, try searching for Thunderbird Miami and see what comes up.

[tonio]

Hi BevS97
I think this is going to be my best option, I have put a new thread out about the golden nugget beach club, if that comes back bad, I will book the thunderbird, once again thanks

toni

[susan1]

hi
hope you don't mind me asking but what dates do you want to travel to miami? the prices double between jan and end of april because it is snow bird area! hotels that are charging £88 drop their prices by half after this time.:)

[tonio]

hi susan
I am looking at going on the 27th march until the 29th, I know it gets busy, just before spring break, we was thinking of just going and stopping anywhere in miami, sometimes I think you can have a look at the rooms before you decide to book.

toni

[susan1]

hi
yes you can look at the rooms before you book, it will be high season rates all the way, as the canadians will extend there winter break to include easter which is early april also as you say it is spring break. it may be a bit "heart in mouth time" to go with out pre booking or maybe i'm just too cautious!!

[tonio]

hi susan
I think I will book the thunderbird, most people on dibb have said its ok for 2 nights, thanks for your reply

toni