I would probably stay on South Beach. FYI most clubs in Miami on New Year's charge admission of at least $150 or so if I remember right. I went for NYE a couple of year's ago. My personal preference would be to have a car unless you were only going to stay in one area like South Beach. Bring a sweater in case it gets chilly but hopefully you'll have nice weather.
Travel MIAMI tips - questions - advice!
- Thread starter ILoveCoach
- Start date
I was just in Miami a couple of weeks ago. You should definitely hit up Bal Harbour for shopping! They have all the best boutiques and a huge NM and Saks (I think the largest NM in Florida). Me and my bf ended up at Bayside, which is essentially a tourist trap...the only thing worth doing there IMO was eating at an Argentinian steakhouse called The Knife. I think it was $26 at night or $16 at lunch and it includes all you can eat salad bar, meat, 1 bottle of wine each and 1 dessert. It was great! We also went to a cheap but very good Cuban eatery called Versailles in Calle Ocho.
We actually flew into Fort Lauderdale and stayed in Hollywood (about 30 mins from Miami) because it was a lot cheaper. We stayed right on the beach with a beachfront room at a Marriot for $280 for the week (granted, the hotel wasn't the greatest, but it was on the beach and we hardly spent any time in it). We ended up renting a car and was happy we did because without one we wouldn't have been able to get around. I've heard from friends from Miami that the transit system is a definite no-no.
We actually flew into Fort Lauderdale and stayed in Hollywood (about 30 mins from Miami) because it was a lot cheaper. We stayed right on the beach with a beachfront room at a Marriot for $280 for the week (granted, the hotel wasn't the greatest, but it was on the beach and we hardly spent any time in it). We ended up renting a car and was happy we did because without one we wouldn't have been able to get around. I've heard from friends from Miami that the transit system is a definite no-no.
We're going to South Beach soon, and need some shopping advice. 
I know there's the Bal Harbour Shops, any other suggestions? Any nice shops around Collins and Washington Avenue?
Does the Collins Avenue Sephora carry a wide range of beauty products and brands, or is there any larger stores in Miami Beach area?
How about Aventura Mall and Sawgrass Mall, worth visiting?
I also need Starbucks and some sushi restaurants, I bet there's a few?
I know there's the Bal Harbour Shops, any other suggestions? Any nice shops around Collins and Washington Avenue?
Does the Collins Avenue Sephora carry a wide range of beauty products and brands, or is there any larger stores in Miami Beach area?
How about Aventura Mall and Sawgrass Mall, worth visiting?
I also need Starbucks and some sushi restaurants, I bet there's a few?
We're going to South Beach soon, and need some shopping advice.
I know there's the Bal Harbour Shops, any other suggestions? Any nice shops around Collins and Washington Avenue?
Does the Collins Avenue Sephora carry a wide range of beauty products and brands, or is there any larger stores in Miami Beach area?
How about Aventura Mall and Sawgrass Mall, worth visiting?
I also need Starbucks and some sushi restaurants, I bet there's a few?
Yes, whatever you do, go to Sawgrass Mills mall! I love Off 5th.
Any recommendations? We'll be down for a week in April to do apartment hunting, and want to stay on South Beach to get a bit of a tourist feel for the city (will be our only time to really be tourists since we'll be living there for a couple years).
Price-wise, would like to stay at or under $200-250/night. Valet parking preferred since we're renting a car.
Price-wise, would like to stay at or under $200-250/night. Valet parking preferred since we're renting a car.
wait youre moving to miami? 
yay!
one question though, when? as you can imagine that influences highly the prices of the rooms.
i really love the TIDES!
There is new hotel called the Mondrian, its nice and very hip too! the only issue is that its bayside and doesnt have a beach... they do have a special contract that Mondrian Guests are allowed to go to the Delano Pool and Beach. I like the fact that its a bit secluded from the SoBe craze too. Its a great place to be at on the weekends, if youre looking for a good time.
but i think the best for cost effective and VERY VERY NICE hotel is the nassau hotel on south beach. CLOSE TO EVERYTHING! GREAT PLACE! Its really a steal and a very chic place! no complaints and ive stayed there with friends when they've come to visit.
edit:
i've used this when traveling around to read about hotels. Feel free to do the same! it really helps!
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g34439-Miami_Beach_Florida-Hotels.html
yay!one question though, when? as you can imagine that influences highly the prices of the rooms.
i really love the TIDES!
There is new hotel called the Mondrian, its nice and very hip too! the only issue is that its bayside and doesnt have a beach... they do have a special contract that Mondrian Guests are allowed to go to the Delano Pool and Beach. I like the fact that its a bit secluded from the SoBe craze too. Its a great place to be at on the weekends, if youre looking for a good time.
but i think the best for cost effective and VERY VERY NICE hotel is the nassau hotel on south beach. CLOSE TO EVERYTHING! GREAT PLACE! Its really a steal and a very chic place! no complaints and ive stayed there with friends when they've come to visit.
edit:
i've used this when traveling around to read about hotels. Feel free to do the same! it really helps!
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g34439-Miami_Beach_Florida-Hotels.html
Over the weekend, I just booked 2 rooms at the Mondrian for some girlfriends of mine that are coming in April for my baby shower. Travelzoo had a special rate of $195/night!! (reg rate is $275) I've been searching travelzoo for you, but it looks like that deal might be down, BUT they usually post new deals every Tuesday, so maybe it will come back up again?
I had also found:
$190 The Standard (I think the $190 rate is only for weekdays, weekends are higher?)
http://www.dealbase.com/Miami-Beach...eals/Perfect-Escapes-Benefits-Breakfast-17114
The Catalina Hotel from travelzoo
This Week's Top Pick from BookIt.com - Miami Beach
$99 -- Hip South Beach Miami Hotel w/VIP Perks
Plus, get a $50 rebate if you stay 3 nights or more
Valid midweek through April; Friday-Saturday just $60 more
The Mondrian is the newest, but it's not on the beach it's on the bay. But, it's got a great "scene" right now and it's big for Fri nites.
The Standard is about the same level as the Mondrian and it's also not on the beach but its just about a 5 min cab ride from everything. it's a cool little hotel, great pool.
The Catalina is more of a budget hotel for a younger crowd (20-30). But for the price it puts you in a good location across the street from the beach.
Like I said, I put my best friends up at the Mondrian, so I recommend that at the top of the list. check travelzoo tomorrow, the deal might come back up??
I had also found:
$190 The Standard (I think the $190 rate is only for weekdays, weekends are higher?)
http://www.dealbase.com/Miami-Beach...eals/Perfect-Escapes-Benefits-Breakfast-17114
The Catalina Hotel from travelzoo
This Week's Top Pick from BookIt.com - Miami Beach
$99 -- Hip South Beach Miami Hotel w/VIP Perks
Plus, get a $50 rebate if you stay 3 nights or more
Valid midweek through April; Friday-Saturday just $60 more
The Mondrian is the newest, but it's not on the beach it's on the bay. But, it's got a great "scene" right now and it's big for Fri nites.
The Standard is about the same level as the Mondrian and it's also not on the beach but its just about a 5 min cab ride from everything. it's a cool little hotel, great pool.
The Catalina is more of a budget hotel for a younger crowd (20-30). But for the price it puts you in a good location across the street from the beach.
Like I said, I put my best friends up at the Mondrian, so I recommend that at the top of the list. check travelzoo tomorrow, the deal might come back up??
you have to be careful becaus some of the hotels are art deco, but run down. i love the http://www.fontainebleau.com/
i love the fontainebleau,
but its way past South beach.like 20-something streets north of the city limit. which is 23rd st.
