Miami Beach or South Beach

We will be in Miami for just two nights. We want a moderate hotel that will accommodate 2 adults plus 3 kids. Many hotels won%26#39;t allow the extra person due to fire regulations. But two will - one (the Eden Roc) at Miami Beach, far from the action, or the Holiday Inn (South Beach) - same price around 300 per night.

Do I go for the ambience of South Beach, and the rather poorly-reviewed Holiday Inn, or for the more luxurious Eden Roc, but miles from the action. We just want a nice beach, a little bit of the flavour of the place, and a good place to stroll. Topless women are not an issue. Might try it myself.

Any other recommendations? Loews won%26#39;t take 5 in a room, and the Tides is 400 a night. Just trying to keep the cost down. Should we go for the Tides - is it worth the huge difference (Cdn. dollars - keep in mind).

Thanks for your wisdom.

Miami Beach or South Beach

We have never stayed at the Holiday Inn or Eden Roc. However I can tell you that your whole experience will be very different if you stay ';miles from the action';. Staying at either the Holiday Inn (this is several blocks from ';the action'; but still very walkable) or the Tides will allow you to walk to Lincoln Road, Ocean Drive, lots of shops, restaurants, liquor stores, etc. The Tides is very much in the middle of the action. I%26#39;ve heard only good things about the Tides, but again, haven%26#39;t stayed there.

Have a great time but please post what you end up doing. I had no idea many of the hotels had such a rule about five guests in a room.

Enjoy South Beach, you%26#39;ll have a great time.

Cheers

Miami Beach or South Beach

Also, if you don%26#39;t mind not asking for extra cots, as the expression goes, what they don%26#39;t know won%26#39;t hurt them ;)

If you have a rental car you can get to South Beach in a few minutes from the Eden Roc. My guess is with 3 kids you won%26#39;t be doing any late night clubbing, so the drive and parking won%26#39;t be a big problem. There is also a bus along Collins Av if you don%26#39;t have a car. You don%26#39;t mention the age of your kids. I understand a bus ride might be challenging with a couple of toddlers.

I stayed at the Holiday Inn and found it perfectly acceptable, not luxurious, but the nice location and free (at least when I was there) beach umbrellas and parking were a nice perk.

I have not stayed at Eden Roc, but I have stayed at the Fountainbleau next store and I like that location too. Like I said with a car or bus you are not that far from South Beach. You won%26#39;t find as many restaurants to walk to, so you may be stuck with hotel food unless you have a car to get around.

I%26#39;ve stayed at the Holiday Inn 2 seperate times %26amp; would choose it again. Mainly for the free parking, free beach chairs %26amp; umbrellas %26amp; walking distance to everything. It%26#39;s plain but very acceptable. If you pick the Holiday Inn ask for a garden room, they are much nicer %26amp; give you a real Florida feel.

$300 is alot. We got that hotel through www.priceline.com for $65usd/night from July 2-10. Try priceline %26amp; put for a 3* in Southbeach.

They have an arcade which will be good for the kids. They also have a gym.

I think Karinina was refering to Canadian dollars. I am not sure of the exchange rate, but even 300 Canadian sounds expensive. When are you going?

Thanks to all of you for your super input. I never knew forums could be so helpful.

In answer to the questions posted:

1) we will be going the first week in January of 06.

2) I called Holiday Inn directly, and that was the price they gave me, $299 US. I asked for any discounted rates, AAA, etc, and was told that for 279 I could have the room but no cancellations were allowed at that rate. That was a little risky for me so I went for the 299 rate, knowing I could change my mind with no penalty.

3) The extra charges may have been for the extra people.

4) I think we will go with the Holiday Inn. The parking will be a perk as we are travelling from Key West, then catching a plane out of Miami on the 7th.

Thanks to all of you for your help. You are wonderful.

Karinina