OK, looking for a cool/hip/chic/whatever hotel in MIA for this Saturday night. I like the Setai (looking for something like that) but it's $600+, and that's a bit much. Thinking up to $400. Any ideas? I don't know MIA well at all.

-BJ

BJ
I live only blocks away from the Setai so here's my 2 cents:

Victor Hotel
http://hotelvictorsouthbeach.com/hotelvictor_1024.html
right on Ocean Drive where no local ever goes, though

Shore Club
http://www.shoreclub.com/
nice action, very good restaurants

Delano Hotel
http://www.delano-hotel.com/
the first 'hip' place and still going strong, kind of a classic, great pool

Raleigh Hotel
http://www.raleighhotel.com/
great pool

above is probably in descending order in terms of standard. Shore Club, Delano and Raleigh are close to Setai, all beachfront.

Have fun!

Gracias!

Victor: Sold out

Shore Club: $780

Delano: $790

Raleigh: $525

...

Setai: $595

What the heck? Isn't this the "off-season"?

What would you choose?

There doesn't seem to be much of an off-season here anymore and hotel prices border ridiculous, but you can still get the Delano at $400 which is an ok deal. I just checked for next week and they show $400 rates, but that's for midweek ..... I like the Delano best because it has a really nice vibe but no way that $790 is justified unless you are getting something like the penthouse.
You may then stick with your first choice, the Setai. Rooms at the Setai should be better than at the Delano. Setai at $595 is most definitely a better value than Raleigh at $525.
Setai are running a couple of Rangerovers as shuttle for their guests, they might pick you up at the airport (not sure about that, though).

Try The Regent. A hip boutique hotel. Had a wonderful stay there last week. Great rooms (suite style), cool staff. Breakfast was included in the midweek price of $250 a night. Its located in South Beach, but the beach itself is across the street. They have a private area on the beach though.

Moved to the Mandarin Oriental for the weekend. Great property but not much to do around. A bargain at $189

You mean this:

The Regent South Beach
1458 OCEAN DRIVE
MIAMI BEACH, FL 33139
305-672-4554

http://www.regenthotels.com/webExtra...lCode=FLSOUTHB

The Astor, National and Raleigh are all quite acceptable and in the desired South Beach location.

The Shelbourne usually has rooms but the rooms aren't too hip - in fact they are howard johnson quality.

Yes indeed.

And the showers are great. A very large area with four in the wall, one rain shower on the ceiling and a hand shower. ^

LOL...So true! ^ My other favorite shower is the Le Meridien in Barcelona.

Or you could stay at the Ritz Carlton in Coconut Grove for $219 (which is pretty much a business hotel - although it has a nice pool). Use what you save to rent a limo for the night and go dining and clubbing.

Many Florida resorts used to be inexpensive in the summer. And they were nice - somewhat quiet but nice (although I lived in Miami - so I never stayed on south Beach). Now resorts everywhere cater to both family groups and groups of younger people (they stay 3-4 in a room) who simply want to go to the beach on the weekend. The prices went up - and I don't find the atmosphere anywhere as pleasant.

BTW - I am 60 and my grandparents used to stay at the Victor - and I can never think of it as anything but a hotel designed for low income seniors who wanted to get warm in the winter. The rooms haven't changed a whole lot from the time when my grandparents used to stay there. Robyn

I've heard good things about the Delano and Setai.

I'll throw another option on the table: The Standard - Miami. I haven't been to their Miami property yet but their LA properties ooze with cool. Roughly $200 a night. Their location is off the main beach on a separate little island. Anyways, just throwing it out there.