1 Night in Miami Beach - Where to Stay/What to do etc

[Guest]

Going for 14 nights to Orlando in August and was looking at going down to Miami Beach for 1 night due to the distance. Does anyone have any recomendations for hotels, especially in the South Beach area. Also is there much to do down there, I (32) will be travelling with my mother (55) and 2 brothers (15/17), is there plenty of family friendly places to eat etc. Obviously we are only there for the nights so wont be there too much, so just looking for idea of stuff to see/do.

[wayneg]

We flew into Miami last month we were due to arrive at 6pm. Decided we wouldn't do anything that evening only eat & sleep so I booked the airport hotel.
Glad I did as Delta changed the flight times, arrived 8pm, had a bite to eat at BK then to bed, awoke early next morning fresh to collect car and drive to Miami beach for a look around before setting off to Key West.

[mickchick]

The South Beach area is crammed with restaurants of all types. Some can be expensive, especially on Ocean Drive, which overlooks the beach, and is where lots of interesting people walk up and down to be seen. Your best bet to eat is probably in Lincoln Road, which runs at a right angle to Collins Avenue and Washington Avenue, which are the main thoroughfares on South Beach. Going in August, it will be crowded, it will be very hot and humid (expect the temp to cool down to around 98F at night, though) and nowhere will be cheap. There are lots of hotels, but mostly high-end. If they're a bargain, be advised that you won't want to stay there. South Beach proper runs from 5th Street to 12th on Collins and Ocean. Some hotels much further along claim to be South Beach, and charge accordingly, but they are not really.
There are lots of sightseeing tours going round the historic Art Deco district (which is South Beach itself), and boat trips across the bay and along the waterways, past the stars' homes. A trip along the causeway from downtown Miami to Miami Beach (which is some way away), is worth it to see all the massive liners moored there. Don't bother with looking around Miami city (which is quite separate); it's a dump. You won't need a car to get around South Beach, as it is such a small area. But you will need transport to go further afield. If you have your own car, most hotels will charge around $30-$50 a night for parking, but you will find the city's public car parks in the side streets considerably cheaper and just as safe.

[jam jar]

I can highly recommend Loews on South Beach. It's a beautiful hotel and ideally located

[joanna23]

I also highly recommend the Loews, it's amazing. Beaches and restaurants on your doorstep. Here was the view from our balcony...

[Fordie]

I'm driving down to Miami on my visit in September and I've been looking on trivago at hotels in south beach and I've saw the palms hotel & spa which looks and sounds like a great hotel. Has anyone stayed there or have there own views on this?

It also is backed onto the beach.

[Guest]

Loews looks exactly what im looking for however the rate is circa 360usd plus tax per room which is a little over budget, as I have 2 rooms to pay for.

[Tetrarch]

Another recommendation for Loews but as you have found, it's not cheap, but then none of the hotels in South Beach will be at that time of year.

Debra

[chelseyleigh]

srry to hijack but has anyone stayed in Hard Rock hotel in miami? thinking of booking it for one night as a surprise for boyfriend but it seems to be in a strange location further away from everything?

[joanna23]

Originally Posted by chelseyleigh

srry to hijack but has anyone stayeud in Hard Rock hotel in miami? thinking of booking it for one night as a surprise for boyfriend but it seems to be in a strange location further away from everything?

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I'm sure maemaesmummy (Lisa) has stayed here. Might be worth sending her a PM.