Hi

We are starting a tour of Florida in Miami and are stuck choosing hotel in Miami Beach.

We will be there 5th Feb 2018 for 3 nights and are looking to spend up to about $200 per night. We might like a nice pool, and comfy beds.

With regards to location where would be advised we like good food and like to go out for some nice cocktails but we are not "party people" a quiet cocktail bar would be our preference. We would rather not hear the noise from the party area at night.

I am an Amex UK platinum holder with all the relevant hotel status's signed up for.

Many thanks for any suggestions.

Rob

You'll need to forget about any of the American Express properties unless you significantly increase your budget. That said, there are many properties that you can get into for $200/night (including some name brand hotels -- Hampton Inn, Residence Inn), although none that I have any experience with. You might be best off doing a search on a site like hotels.com and relying on tripadvisor and other online reviews. Certainly booking now will help, as is the fact that you will be there mid-week. But don't wait too, too long to book, as that is prime time for Miami Beach.

Thanks I can push a little over and I have just realised that I can status match SPG to Marriott and I think I have found 3 of their properties unto $200 I just need to gather info and I will post back

I have the following on the shortlist all similar price. Approx. $200/night before tax. We would prefer to be near some nice restaurant but don't want the noise from clubs.

Blue Moon

Residence Inn SB

Winter Haven

Hampton Inn SB

Hilton Garden Inn MB Faena District

Any opinions on any of the above appreciate regarding location please

If you plan on having a car that will cost you apx $40 to park by the hotels, either forgo the car when in MIA and get it the day you leave, also alot of hotels along the beach charge a daily resort fee as well

Yes we are not collecting the car until we leave Miami and the prices I have forked out include the Resort fee currently favourite is Pestana Miami South Beach.

I know nothing about that particular hotel, but will note that I think the location is good. Close enough to the beach and the "action," but far enough that it should be relatively quiet. You're right around the corner from Maxine's, which is not the best restaurant in Miami Beach, but certainly enjoyable enough, especially as they are open 24 hours a day (I think), have a good breakfast menu, and, if the weather cooperates, have nice outdoor seating. Another good casual spot is 27 Restaurant & Bar, which is a 15-minute walk. Of course Lincoln Road is the main drag, which is very close to you as well.

It's also worth noting that some of the hotels on the beach side of Collins Ave. will not object if you use their pool during the day. (I would recommend a don't-ask-don't-tell strategy. If there is no signage indicating that the pool area is for hotel guests only, go for it!) Just beware that if you use the gate from these pool areas to get to the beach, you may not be able to come back through the pool area unless you have a room key from that particular hotel to unlock the gate. (Not a big deal; just means that you need to use the public access ways.)

Thanks for the suggestions, on the subject of food what website is good for restaurant recommendations in Miami/Florida similar to The Michelin guide.

(Note that while you were typing this, I was editing my last post. Make sure you read what I wrote about using the pools at hotels on the other side of Collins Ave.)

I rely on three principal sources for restaurant recommendations:

(1) The website eater.com publishes two restaurant maps for the Miami area, the Essential 38 and the Heatmap, both of which are updated regularly.

(2) Zagat.com, owned by Google, has decent coverage of Miami.

(3) Chowhound.com is worth perusing, although it takes some time to figure out which posters you can and cannot trust (kind of like this board!).

Thanks for all your advice Zagat was the only one i knew before this trip so this info will be very useful.