Miami Beach Hotels/Advice

[mototireguy]

For some reason my gf has her heart set on a vacation to Miami in the Nov-Dec timeframe.

I know next to zero about Floriduh (other than the Moto Pics/Vids of squids on stretched Hayabusas, sinkholes, Broward County mugshots, etc) so I'm seeking any advice on hotels, locations and what not.

Hotel wise anything with a balcony, beach view, swim pool and air-con should fit the bill.

Please chime in with any advice, hotels, tips, tricks. Thanks.

 

[m_asim]

Don't go to little Cuba at night.

Do male a day trip to Key West.

Try not to ogle at topless Europeans in South Beach.

 

[Ducky_Fresh]

I believe we stayed at the penguin on ocean ave., great location!!!!

 

[RRR70]

Don't stay at Palms.

 

[TylerW]

The Gansevoort is lovely if it fits the budget.

 

[GAJ]

I lived in Miami for nine years and moved here in 1984 so I'm of little use other than there are some really really cool parts of Miami and I loved living there, (my wife hated it).

Here is a response to your question I got from him; he's lived there for over 30 years and knows ALL the cool places and things to do.

Motorcyclist, scooterist and bicyclist.

He HATES cars, though he loves his Jeep.

As you can see, he's a bit "type A."

"Michaels Genuine is the best restaurant in the city and not expensive, top shelf, low key, if it's just him and his woman he can sit at the bar and eat, especially if it's before 7:30pm. not to be missed. In design, not on the beach.



Juvia on Lincoln Road at the top of the parking garage is not to be missed for a cocktail, stupendous views/vibe. No flip flops!



Yardbird is a short walk from Juvia and is fun and great, southern cuisine, and the Abbey is right next door for a brew and raucous beer-bar vibe, a fun triple dip, Juvia/Yardbird/Abbey and all sans ccccar which means traffic. Lincoln Road itself, which is half the hike, is great too. One of my favorite evenings, hitting those three and passing along Lincoln en route.



The Standard is a cool hotel, as is The James, both up on the beach. So are 20 others…



The Angler is a cool old hotel and a bargain, again up on the beach.



The beach itself is great, topless young thangs abound, the water is clean and nice.



If he's down south off the beach, although I dunno why he would be, Versailles is a classic cuban place for any gringo as Cubans eat there, it's real. Swine is lights-out in the Gables, you would love that place, a pork 0rgy. The Eating House which is oddly right across Ponce from Carlos' parents building from days of yore! Remember that? Anyway, killer grub. Whisk is South Miami is in the old Fancy's spot and has the best burger ever, seriously. Ortanique in the Gables is great! Xixon on Coral way you have been to for tapas, close-by to the Gables. I went there for Iberico and fabada on sunday, yummm.



Downtown, if he is a sushi fan, Zuma is a meal/vibe that is so Miami and great he will never forget it, $$$ and worth it but it's easy to keep sushi reasonably reasonable.



Things to do…if he likes architecture there is Vizcaya which is a gem and gets forgotten and he will appreciate the deco in Sobe. Or the Biltmore. If he likes football there is the Canes/Phins. If he likes motos there is Longs Cycle which is so decrepit and weird and fun. Stone Age Antiques is beyond belief, all nautical cast-offs. If he likes shopping there is Merrick and Bal Harbor. The opera…the theater…all new and gorgeous.



If he likes oysters there is The River here on Bickell, or The Dutch up in the W on the beach, a great restaurant!



If he likes fishing he should rent a vile carriage and drive to Islamorada and go either backcountry or offshore and celebrate his success at Morada

Bay.



If he likes wilderness there is Shark Valley or the Anhinga Trail in the Glades.



If he wants to save money then scratch 75% of all that



If he likes golf I am of no use but people rave about Doral and other places.



Oh, have a beer on the outdoor terrace of The Conrad on Brickell, 28th? floor. Not sure…high.



The Fountainbleau is re-done in kitschy splendor and has 3 marvelous and overpriced touristy restaurants but is worth a look, great beach.



The tennis is around that time out on Key Biscayne…world class venue.



If he's a boater he should rent a skiff and run south to Boca Chica and the sandbar, a "spanish picnic" as the rednecks say, whoa. Stay sober. Perilous, especially in a rented boat. Amazing water/snorkeling. University Rocks beach.



Typing all that made me wonder about that list…"

 

[mototireguy]

Thank you for the tips/advice.

Another friend mentioned splitting the trip in two parts with maybe 3 nights in Miami and then doing a side trip to Key West for 3 nights. If photos can be trusted then Key West looks more my style.

 

[GAJ]

Thank you for the tips/advice.

Another friend mentioned splitting the trip in two parts with maybe 3 nights in Miami and then doing a side trip to Key West for 3 nights. If photos can be trusted then Key West looks more my style.

You will LOVE Key West.

Don't stay at a chain hotel; look for small hotels and funk.