<p>When we’re talking $900 a night hotels, it seems funny to bring this up, but don’t forget to check to see if the hotel has a place to park. Only time I stayed overnight in South Beach, it was at the youth hostel, and it cost me $16 a night to park in the municipal lot a few blocks away.</p>
<p>Alumother, I positively love the Biltmore. I don’t have eyes for anything else in terms of close to campus, but then once I find one thing that works, I tend to be closed minded to other options, so…</p>
<p>Alu-Mention you are visiting UMIAMI when you make reservations. Many hotels, including the Biltmore and Ritz in Coconut Grove, offer UM discounts.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, most hotels in the Miami area charge for parking, the Biltmore may be an exception. I think you will have a great visit at either hotel. The Biltmore is absolutely grand and the Ritz is in a great location where lots of kids hang out. If your S doesn’t care, it sounds like the Biltmore may be what you are looking for. 
UM actually used the Biltmore for some overflow housing early in the year until the new University Village was complete!</p>
<p>Also, be aware, many restaurants automatically add a gratuity to the bill no matter the size of the party, so be sure to check carefully.</p>
<p>When are you going and what is your S intersted in studying?</p>
<p>We are leaving in April - will be there end of the 2nd week for a trip that begins with a flight from SFO to Providence, Rhode Island. </p>
<p>S is thinking of marine/tropical biology. However, he also likes writing AND hip hop/R&B/1970’s soul music. I mean, really like it as in knows every obscure Otis Redding, Ojays etc. song that exists.</p>
<p>I think S has high probability of acceptance to UMiami - <em>crosses fingers</em>. His GPA is something around 3.9UW and he has taken all honors, APs, and his PSAT was 229. He likes the idea of a good sports team, the marine insitute, the hip hop community, and the journalism school. My question for you would be has your S found any intellectuals around? S doesn’t want overt intellectuals, but it is my belief he would miss them if he found none…You know what I mean by intellectuals, just anyone who likes to question current wisdom and has the capacity for a well-reasoned, original perspective on issues and likes to have the discussion. And do you know anything about the honors program? Anyway, perhaps I should remove this increasingly serious discussion to the UMiami forum…</p>
<p>Thanks for the hotel info. Either the Biltmore or Ritz it will be, and that is fantastic about the discount. Although I am a splurger, nothing beats a discounted splurge…</p>