<p>To make a long story short, daughter dearest is going to be in Miami with friends during the week of her 21st birthday. Staying at friends older brother’s house, yadda, yadda. Kind of a bring a college friend so you won’t be board at a family get together deal as near as I can tell.</p>
<p>So we are kicking around the idea of springing for a night or two in a South Beach hotel for her and her roommate. Get her off the floor of the relative’s house for a couple of days plus a nice splurge in a fun place.</p>
<p>Problem is, I haven’t been to South Beach in decades. I’ve been doing the usual internet search thing and it looks like there are some pretty nice places in $200 a night range…maybe a little two nice for a couple of college kids. But, on the other hand, I don’t want to book a pig in a poke and find out I’ve put her in some seedy part of South Beach. The things I’ve seen are in the Deco Area – say Collins Ave, 9th street, 12th street, and so forth.</p>
<p>Anybody have a general travel tips for South Beach or, even better, specific recommendations of hotels? I’m open on price: if it’s fancy, it might be a one night special splurge. Something more affordable: more nights.</p>
<p>Anything near Lincoln Road is going to be very nice, more expensive than $200/night, but very much worth it from a convenience and safety factor.</p>
<p>If you tell me what hotels you are considering, I’ll do a drive by later today or over the weekend to see how the general area and the property looks. Some of Collins is under construction and the road is a little dicey in those areas…</p>
<p>Whoa! ‘Your’ d is going to FL for Spring Break? Is she still a Swattie?? Sounds like she’s having just a little too much fun to me. Next thing you know she’s going to be a party animal. ;)</p>
<p>I dont’ have anything particular in mind. I’ve seen stuff as far south as 9th street, 12th street, etc. all on Collins. Sounds like further north up near 17th street is better?</p>
<p>Car will be occasional, but if we do this deal, I imagine it would be for her and friend to just be dropped off. Basically thinking a little people watching on the beach during the day, dinner and South Beach people watching at night. They’ll be leaving the Bentley at home, so I doubt they’d make the list at The Mansion.</p>
<p>Andi:</p>
<p>Yeah, I know. I think she got hooked staying at the beachside bamboo hut in Varkela. Actually, it’s one of those roommate’s family deals.</p>
<p>I’ve stayed at the Fontainbleau on Collins. It is very nice and any of the hotels in that area are great. Lots of people watching, boardwalk along the beach, etc…It is pricey though.</p>
<p>Jumping on board here to piggyback some answers… I plan to take Aluson to Miami in early April to look at University of Miami. In keeping with family tradition, he ( and I:))get a night in a way fab hotel as reward for my using my vacation time squiring offspring to various campuses. And I mean fab. For D, it was the Peninsula in Chicago.</p>
<p>Anyone know what would be fab for a nearly 17-year old boykin? The Delano? Fab BTW I assume for him must include tanned young women in bikinis or less…For mom it means cool enough to make me forget I am 50 and no longer can face the public without blow drying my hair. I have only spent one night in Miami Beach my whole life so have zero ideas. TIA.</p>
<p>Interesteddad, my daughter strongly recommends the Holiday Inn on Washington Avenue, one block from Lincoln Road, and right on the beach. Several friends of hers - other college students who were brought here to be recruited - know it very well. D cautions however it will be more than $200/night, and, every hotel that will also be safe, clean and a nice experience will be more than $200/night during this season. </p>
<p>You are correct that further north is better, however, South Beach is tricky - one can move from lovely areas to sketchy areas within a few blocks. </p>
<p>If you find something else that seems like a deal, post back and I’ll either ask D or drive by it. </p>
<p>Alumother, for your requirements maybe consider the Biltmore, very close to campus and the largest swimming pool of any hotel in the world.</p>
<p>I think I’ll leave the Setai to Alumother. The room rates range from $950 to $9000 a night. I think that would be a bit much for a couple of college kids! Looks nice, though. </p>
<p>Thanks for the tip on the Holiday Inn, I’ll check it out.</p>
<p>While Alumother has been known to bust loose in extravagance, even for her a $950 lowest rate is a little rich…</p>
<p>The Delano has a $450/night rate that I am likely to be able to justify in that labyrinthine way one justifies extravagance that is at the edge of affordable and completely unecessary - but wickedly fun anyway.</p>
<p>I am thinking Miami Beach, hence had put the Biltmore aside for this jaunt…</p>
<p>Alu-I have a soph S at UM so if you want a more personal tour guide or have any questions, let me know. We have been very happy with the school.</p>
<p>My kids have loved the Ritz-Carlton and the Loews. Great pools and beach access and very convenient to Lincoln Rd. and Ocean Dr. You might also consider one of the Coconut Grove hotels. Lots of UM kids hang out in the Grove (they run a shuttle on weekends) and your son could get a feel for it. We have stayed in the Ritz there and it is easy walking to all the shops and restaurants. The only thing is that although there is a marina, there is no beach in Coconut Grove. If you’re flying in, check out some airfare/hotel packages. We have gotten some great deals through American Airlines vacations.</p>
<p>There is a small French hotel (cannot recall name now). Blue Moon is funky. Delano is classy. Even if you don’t stay there, stop in for a drink and view the pool area. Biltmore in Coral Gables is an experience. That’s classic old FL, a site of many weddings. There is an adjacent theater there which seats about 50 people. If you have time, try to visit.</p>
<p>The Blue Moon looks like the kind of funky place I’m looking for. Is that area of So Beach (between 9th and 10th Streets) safe for walking up Collins towards Lincoln for dinner and people watching?</p>
<p>I canot recall exactly where it is. That whole street is lined with small hotels, restaurants, independent shops, and the beach is across the street. I did a Google search for the all French hotel, but could not find it. I use to eat and walk around at night, feeling safe with so many people around. It should be fun.</p>
<p>idad-She should be fine in that area; there is lots going on and many others walking around. You might also want to look at the Whitelaw. I haven’t stayed there, but I hear it’s clean and geared toward a younger crowd. For really funky, look at the theme rooms at the Pelican.</p>
<p>OK. Revisiting. S is less enthralled with travel than his mother…</p>
<p>He says let’s stay near the campus and then go into South Beach for dinner. And whichever is less money is OK. Less money? Clearly not my child:). As an aside, I will say that my tendency towards the occasional but pretty visible splurge seems to have made my children highly conscious of their budgets. But anyway.</p>
<p>So, the Biltmore? The Ritz? Because after all it is my vacation so S can just grit his teeth and stomach a little luxury.</p>