Hotel help for us too

First of all, what block of Collins Ave puts you in the midst of everything? If we want something a bit quiet yet close to restaurants, beach, nightlife and shops, just where should we begin looking for a hotel? Is there any opinion on less expensive hotels that are #1....CLEAN. We%26#39;ve been looking at the Atlantica Hotel and Suites. Any ideas on that place? Thanks,

Hotel help for us too

Hello Rick Scott of Ohio,

Collins is the main north-south road starting from the most southern tip of Miami Beach going all the way to the most northern part and beyond. It is the main north-south road through South Beach which is the most southern two (2) miles or so of Miami Beach.

Because of the shape of Miami Beach (in the South Beach area), the island sticks out starting around 15th Street where Ocean Drive starts. As a result, hotels on the east side of Collins north of 15th Street are directly on the beach. Hotels south of 15th Street are one road (Ocean Drive) from the beach - but a very easy walk to the white sand.

To your question: as a general rule most hotels on Collins north of 15th Street are larger hotels (as compared to the many hotels in SoBe) and most (but not all) and they are ';clean'; - many that we%26#39;ve stayed. As a reference, hotels on Collins with an odd address are on the east side of Collins and directly on the beach. The hotels are one after another starting with Royal Palm ending with Shore Club. Hotels between these (not necessarily in this order) include Loews, National, Sagamore, Ritz-Carlton, Delano, DoubleTree Surfcomber and South Seas. Oh... another one is The Raleigh Hotel.

My guess is South Seas would be the least expensive. We typically stay at the DoubleTree Surfcomber as it%26#39;s very clean, great service, nice pool and courtyard, and good access to the beach. Of the hotels I%26#39;ve mentioned, I%26#39;m guessing it%26#39;s the second least expensive - but still a very fine hotel. It also has a great Art Deco feel to it. As a DoubleTree, it%26#39;s part of the Hilton Family of Hotels so you can expect a quality product.

Unless you have a wild party (or crying baby) in the hotel room next to you, all of the hotels I%26#39;ve mentioned are far enough away from the clubs that they are quiet. Having said that, I think some hotels that have a loud bar or something going on in the pool area may be loud but if your room is just above or next to the event - but that%26#39;s South Beach! We%26#39;ve never had a problem unless something special is going on (such as MTV Music Awards or similar).

We%26#39;ve never stayed at the Atlantica Hotel and Suites. I see it%26#39;s address is 300 block. This is an area some refer to as SoFi (South of 5th Street). It is generally quiet but a couple blocks from the beach - if that matters to you all. It is also a fair distance to popular areas such as Lincoln Road Mall (between 16th and 17th Street). Lots of folks like this SoFi area as it is generally quiet - but we%26#39;ve never stayed that far south as we like being closer to Lincoln Road Mall and directly on the beach.

Hope that helps!

Cheers!

Hotel help for us too

Thanks for your response. It will help me figure things out. I appreciate your help.

SoBe Fan, Can we expect to pay something in the range of $300 per night for those spots you%26#39;ve suggested?

I see so many of these hotels with ads showing you can get a room in the $150 range but when you go to the website, it seems they are all more like $300. We don%26#39;t need a room until Jan of 08 so I am actually too early to even book but I can%26#39;t afford $300 per nite and I don%26#39;t want to settle for a lousy choice; IF some of these $300 rooms can actually be had for something in the $150-200 range. Any advice?