<p>Any CCers have recent hotel experience in South Beach, Miami? Looking to spend a few vacation days there and would like a pool, beach access and proximity to shops, restaurants, etc. that allows us to walk a lot. It will just be the 2 of us and while we don’t want to break the bank, we want to try to meet the above criteria. There are some discounts out there for the time we are travelling, so if you name places, we’ll see how they cost out. If you have restaurant suggestions, that would also be great. It’s been awhile since there has been an active discussion of Miami hotels here, so thanks for bringing me up to speed.</p>
<p>I noticed that Priceline has given out some great 4* hotels in that area. There are two South Beach zones. You can see winning bids at [Priceline</a> and Hotwire Forum](<a href=“http://www.betterbidding.com%5DPriceline”>http://www.betterbidding.com) and [BiddingForTravel.com</a> - The informed Priceline Travel Bidding Forum](<a href=“http://www.biddingfortravel.com%5DBiddingForTravel.com”>http://www.biddingfortravel.com).</p>
<p>Ritz Carlton has beach access. It is quieter than other hotels, with excellent service. I like to stay there, then go to other hotels to hang out at night.</p>
<p>Delano hotel is one of the most happening hotels. It’s got a good restaurant, which turns into more of a club scen at night. The pool in the center of the hotel is still very busy at night. They put tables in the middle pool (in the water) for drinks. If you have one of those rooms by the pool, it could be quite noisy. </p>
<p>Sagamore is in between the Ritz and Delano. It’s more of a suite hotel, less expensive than Delano. Its bar used to be very quiet, but last time when we were they have turned it into more of a club.</p>
<p>Loews is a bigger hotel, and more popular with people with kids.</p>
<p>We haven’t been there for 1 year or two, more hotels have opened. Try to get a hotel around the same vicinity of the hotels I have mentioned then you should be fine.</p>
<p>News Cafe is the place to go for breakfast. It’s a great place to watch people.</p>
<p>Delano is an experience, with unique decorating style. Food & drinks are expensive.</p>
<p>Lowe’s has nice hot tub and variety of people. It’s a more typical luxory hotel.</p>
<p>There is also a French boutique hotel, quite small and romantic.</p>
<p>There are many hotels along the beach, but I am only mentioning the ones I know.</p>
<p>I am just impressed that you are a parent and want beach access in South Beach! I love the restaurants and the music and the people watching there but I can’t see myself in a swimsuit in the sunshine there. I’m fairly trim, but I think they might have a rule against Lands End swimsuits 
so I wouldn’t be admitted anyway.</p>
<p>(I stayed at the Courtyard Miami Beach South Beach the last time I was there - it was close to restaurants and a few short blocks from the action, I think, a quite pleasant hotel for our short stay there - but it didn’t have beach access.)</p>
<p>No need to be embarrassed to wear a bathing suit; lots of elderly people live in the area. Many men of all ages wear Speedos, regardless of their size. Many young gals wear triangle tops and thong suits, but everything goes. It is a relaxed area.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the tips. We found a hotel with a newer beach annex (near News Cafe oldfort) and a main art deco building with roof pool/deck. It is called The Hotel. We’ll see how it goes. As to South Beach, well that’s why they make great cover-ups - fit is fit, but age is age. I do like to swim and am glad the atmosphere will be relaxed.
If you have restaurant, sightseeing or shopping ideas, please feel free to share them. We are fond of seafood and plan to splurge on a couple of dinners and enjoy salads and casual meals at lunch time. This trip is spur of the moment, so I haven’t done my usual research ahead of time. The collective wisdom of CC helps a lot. I appreciate it.</p>
<p>I love art deco and recommend doing one of these tours:</p>
<p>[Guided</a> Walking Tours | Miami Design Preservation League](<a href=“http://www.mdpl.org/tours/guided-walking-tours/]Guided”>http://www.mdpl.org/tours/guided-walking-tours/)</p>
<p>In addition to News Cafe, the Front Porch Cafe (Ocean & 14th) is a great place for breakfast. </p>
<p>Be sure to hit up Lincoln Road (pedestrian mall), lots of shops and restaurants. All the restaurants on Ocean and Lincoln have their menus posted and hostesses encouraging business, so just walk around (we call it walking the gauntlet) and see what looks good. Have a great time.</p>
<p>Our favorite places to eat, based on years of visiting the “U” and our daughter:</p>
<p>Spiga (on Collins Ave), Pizza Rustica (on Lincoln Road), Cafe Cardoza (on Ocean Drive), Lupa di Roma (on Lincoln Road), Emeril’s(on Collins) AND Joe’s Stone Crab!</p>
<p>There is a new Shake Shack on Lincoln Road . Have the custard flavor of the day, or the concrete–pieces of key lime pie in a super-thick shake.</p>
<p>We always stay at the Marriot Courtyard on 39th and Collins. It’s art deco–the Cadillac Hotel–with a nice pool and only yards to the beach. Enjoy, we’re going again in May!</p>
<p>Great suggestions. There is no shortage of options and it helps to hear your experiences. What a fun place to go to visit a college student. I like the idea of a walking tour, we enjoy art/architecture and will look into it. We will have no trouble filling our 4 days there. Thanks for your help.</p>
<p>sep200 - have a meal at the Delano if you want to splurge. If they still have it…there is a lobster appetizer that’s very memorable. We triee Joe’s Stone Crab, I was kind of disappointed. I am a real shell fish person, other than Stone Crab, they didn’t have any other crabs.</p>