Oeacnfront Miami

[CaribQween]

We are looking for a nice oceanfront hotel in the Miami area. We're not at all familiar with Miami. Our only time there was a couple of years ago when we cruised out of Miami and just stayed the previous night in the Coral Gables area. Most posts seem to say Miami Beach/South Beach is the area to stay. It seems like a really great area, but we're just trying to find something that is not necessarily smack dab right in the middle of everything. We're not looking to go clubbing/partying or shopping or any of that. We'd rather be a little bit removed from all of that and we'll have a rental car so we can drive anywhere we want to go for dinner or sightseeing, etc. We're mainly just looking to spend time on the beach and would also like to have a nice balcony with a view of the ocean, if possible. Our last cruise was out of Ft. Lauderdale and without realizing it, we ended up at a hotel that was squeezed right in the middle of everything so that you had to either go through the parking garage or through shops and restaurants just to get to the hotel entrance. To get to the ocean, you had to walk back through all of the shops and restaurants and then across the street. Everything was really hopping and it was difficult to even get through the crowds just walking down the sidewalk. We didn't even make it down to the beach which was sort of a disappointment. We're really hoping to avoid something like that this time and could really use some advice. Thank you in advance.

[Binky66]

Try the Silver Sands Resort. Right on the beach. Not the classiest spot but clean and a great location. The have a web site.

[JohninDC]

Parking in Miami Beach is expensive - $25-30+/night on top of your room rate.

 

You may be happier at an oceanfront hotel in Hollywood - nice beach town between Fort Lauderdale and Miami.

 

For Miami Beach hotel suggestions, besides these boards and trip advisor, check out Blue Heron's blog - she is a regular on these boards and a wealth of local knowledge:

http://blueheronsmiamiinformation.blogspot.com/

Good luck! :)

[CaribQween]

Thanks to everyone for the replies. It's tough just trying to find something that you can be sure is nice, in a quiet area, and has a balcony with a nice view of the beach and ocean. We're flying into FLL but cruising out of Miami. We've actually thought about just staying in the Hollywood area but just don't really want to have to spend the time it would take to drive back and forth. We actually found a good rate on the Four Points by Sheraton but weren't sure how nice of a hotel it was.

[TexasAud10]

We just booked a hotel 0.9 miles from the Port of Miami on Biscayne Bay- the Doubletree Grand Hotel. We have a balcony room facing the ocean and it was only $102 a night! Use priceline/Expedia/etc. to get good rates!

[BlueHerons]

Try the Silver Sands Resort. Right on the beach. Not the classiest spot but clean and a great location. The have a web site.

 

I LOVE the Silver Sands! Great motel on Key Biscayne. Other places to stay on Key Biscayne will cost you $1000 per night.

[elcuchio24]

Thanks to everyone for the replies. It's tough just trying to find something that you can be sure is nice, in a quiet area, and has a balcony with a nice view of the beach and ocean. We're flying into FLL but cruising out of Miami. We've actually thought about just staying in the Hollywood area but just don't really want to have to spend the time it would take to drive back and forth. We actually found a good rate on the Four Points by Sheraton but weren't sure how nice of a hotel it was.

 

We've stayed at four points twice. We have always gotten a really good deal. It's a great location on Collins, you walk out the back door and there are nice gardens andthe pool, and then you can walk right onto the boardwalk and the beach. Nice bar, great service. The rooms were nothing extrodinary but worked well. The breakfast buffet was way overpriced, but thats status quo with hotels in the area. We would stay there again for sure.

[elcuchio24]

Which four points are referring to? The one in Miami Beach? If so, is on the beach and close to some of the big name hotels such as the Fountainbleau and Eden Rock (and within 5 minutes of Lincoln Road and South Beach). I have never been to this specific Four Points but I think it is probably one of the best priced properties in Miami Beach. Just make sure you look into shuttles. Friends of ours stayed at a hotel down the street from this Four Points and their taxi fare from FLL was $100. I would believe the fare to the port of Miami would be about $40 to $50 from the hotel.

 

Our cab fare from MIA to the hotel was $35, the run the POM was $25.

[dreamweavers]

The Doubletree Grand or the Sands are two that

I would recommend.

[LuckiStac13*Majesty*]

We just booked a hotel 0.9 miles from the Port of Miami on Biscayne Bay- the Doubletree Grand Hotel. We have a balcony room facing the ocean and it was only $102 a night! Use priceline/Expedia/etc. to get good rates!

 

The DOubletree is a very nice hotel, but it's not on the beach or "Oceanfront." You overlook the Port of Miami and the turn-around basin there, but that's it. No access to a beach. You'd have to do Key Biscayne or Miami Beach, etc. for that.

[Lonedaddy]

anyone stayed at the ritz key biscayne? looks like a nice beach and close to seaquarium - staying for 4 nights prior to cruise. any comments

[BlueHerons]

anyone stayed at the ritz key biscayne? looks like a nice beach and close to seaquarium - staying for 4 nights prior to cruise. any comments

 

Love, love, LOVE The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne! They have an excellent kids program if you have kids and it is also a romantic adults only spot.

[Marie51]

We just booked a hotel 0.9 miles from the Port of Miami on Biscayne Bay- the Doubletree Grand Hotel. We have a balcony room facing the ocean and it was only $102 a night! Use priceline/Expedia/etc. to get good rates!

 

You are mistaken about this hotel....it does not really face the ocean and is not oceanfront. It faces the bay. There is no ocean access or beach access. If you would like to go to the beach from this hotel it will be a cab ride of about $20-$25 one way.

 

The advantage of a hotel on the bay is that this is the area where the cruise ships park so you can see them from your hotel room if you have a room facing that way. The cab ride to the ship will be about $10.

[cruisekenny]

You could try the Grand Beach Hotel. We got a room there for $130/night on skyauction.com which is less than 50% of the regular price. It is a bit of a gamble trying to do it through an auction site but it might be worth your while if you can get it at a low enough price.

[skandls]

We have stayed on Miami Beach and found it a little out of the way. South Beach hotels are expensive. We really like the Intercontinental next to Bayside. Nice hotel and a walk or taxi to dinner. Water view but not 'on the beach'.