Downtown miami

[jimmymc]

We have been to Miami a couple of times and have always stayed in South beach but this time we want to stay downtown Miami. Has anyone any hotel recommendations and advice on things to do "downtown" ?


Thanks

Maureen

[MrPenguin]

Off topic sorry but just wanted to ask, did you enjoy South Beach? We've booked one night in a hotel there when we dock back into Fort Lauderdale off our cruise.

[jimmymc]

Originally Posted by MrPenguin

Off topic sorry but just wanted to ask, did you enjoy South Beach? We've booked one night in a hotel there when we dock back into Fort Lauderdale off our cruise.

See more...

It was probably about ten years ago since we went to South Beach so it has probably changed a lot . Really enjoyed it though at the time.


Looking at staying in downtown miami this time! Has anyone any experience of staying somewhere other than South beach or Miami beach but still in a lively area of Miami?

Thanks

Maureen

[mickchick]

There is really very little to see or do in downtown Miami. The drive across the causeway from South Beach on A1A is fabulous because you pass almost within touching distance of the vast cruise ships lined up aliong the port. Once over the causeway you are in downtown. Apart from Bayfront (in reality just a jumble of over-priced tat shops and fast food eateries), it is a wilderness of skyscraper offices, businessmen's hotels and banks. And do not venture into the back streets, particularly at night, as these are over-run with pan-handlers, beggars and worse. Downtown is perfectly safe to drive through, just to see for yourself, and it's a useful; short cut to Key Biscayne, just down the road, which is reached by an impressive toll bridge with spectacular views of Miami. There are some nice beaches on the key, with a sea life centre, and a waterside bar and restaurant called the Rusty Pelican which is OK for a drink (especially at night, with Miami all lit up in front of you), but the food isn't up to much.

[Guest]

We stayed in a great appartment in the Brickell area, financial district. A fantastic two bed appartment with balcony overlooking the bay. There is a Metro mover stop (free monorail) a few hundred meters away.
It was called Fortune House Luxery apartments.

[Guest]

We did a city bus tour which had four different routes over two days. Very interesting.

[The Wards]

We stayed for 3 nights in downtown miami in May because we had already stayed at the beach and wanted a change. We stayed in the Courtyard by Marriott which was walking distance to Bayside and 2 mins from Wholefoods. We really enjoyed it. Hotel was good, clean and had everything we needed; including roof top pool and car parking. During the day we actually drove to the beach one day and also the mall but we did do a boat trip from bayside. It was good walking to bayside on an evening to eat/drink without organising lifts.

[rosered]

Just back from a cruise and stayed in Downtown Miami for three nights before the cruise. We stayed at the Yve hotel which we really enjoyed. It was opposite Bayside which had lots of shops and restaurants including the Hard Rock. The hop on hop off bus also stops right by Bayside which is a great way of seeing Miami, they do three different routes which cover just about anywhere you would want to visit. You can also get different boat tours from Bayside as well.

[Mo&Chris]

We stayed at Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Miami Brickell Downtown when we went to Miami for a couple of days. As hotels go, it was clean, comfortable and well served. Best thing about it was a fantastic pizzeria round the corner, called Piola.

Worst thing was navigating the one way streets to get there!

/Mo