Trent

[piggs]

You have been so helpful to everyone who asks you questions....here's hoping you can help me too! We are limited to hotel selections because of our air package and have narrowed it to the Best Western Beach Resort or the Wyndham Miami Beach resort, both in South Beach. These hotels are both listed as 3-4 "wings" according to the airline. Would that be an accurate description of either of these places.

We are traveling with 17 family members and with kids ranging from 9-18. Is either of these better for location to eating spots?

We also want to travel to the everglades(don't mind "hokey", just want to see the area). Should we rent cars to see the everglades? Any advice would be appreciated.

[TrentS]

I assume you mean this Wyndham... http://www.wyndham.com/hotels/MIAMB/main.wnt

 

And this Best Western... http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/productInfo.do?propertyCode=10265

 

Actually neither one of those are in South Beach... Many hotels stick the "South Beach" label on to sucker those in who don't know the area. Those are in the 4300 & 4800 block of Collins, way far north of what you think of when you think of South Beach. The real "South Beach" ends at about the 1700 block, and you don't really want to be too much farther north or it's way too far to walk to anything. The heart of South Beach is Ocean Drive, Collins, and Washington Avenues between 5th & 15th Streets. Definitely don't miss Ocean Drive between 5th & 15th.

 

If you stay at either of those hotels you'll definitely need a car, or a few vans with that many people! ;) There's nothing at all to walk to from either one of them except the beach, a few other hotels, or lots of private condos. There are no restaurants near either one except in the hotels.

 

I haven't been in the Wyndham since it was the Doral (many many years ago), and I've never been in that Best Western, but the reviews are not good for either one. I'd say it's a "pick-em". I'll give you the links to Trip Advisor's reviews of them both if you haven't already found them.

 

Best Western... http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g34439-d80247-Reviews-Best_Western_Beach_Resort-Miami_Beach_Florida.html

 

Wyndham... http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g34439-d217378-Reviews-Wyndham_Miami_Beach_Resort-Miami_Beach_Florida.html

 

Yeah, if you want to go to the Everglades you'll need cars/vans unless you find a tour company that will pick you up at the hotel. There may be some, but I'm not sure on that. Here are some fun/hokey places. ;) I'm sure the kids will love them!...

 

Everglades Safari Park... http://www.evsafaripark.com/

 

Everglades Holiday Park... http://www.evergladesholidaypark.com/

 

Sawgrass Recreation Park... http://evergladestours.com/

 

Billie's Swamp Safari... http://www.seminoletribe.com/safari/

 

Ride the Wind (just airboat tours)... http://www.ride-the-wind.com/

[trixie54]

Trying to find a nice hotel on/across from Sobe & beach for 1 (Sat.) night in March pre-cruise with my 21 yr. old daughter - most nice places are already full - do you know anything about "Hotel Ocean"? or Winterhaven? (I've read the TA reviews, a goldmine for info) but am now getting desperate. I know I'll have to spend. Ocean/beach most imp. to me, Sobe scene for her. Thanks!

[katiensb]

Can you tell me how to best achieve this itinerary

 

Arriving @ Port RCCL on 12/23/2005 around noon..Would like to get off the ship around 2pm...take the kids..(teens) to the Zoo and do the Duck Tour. Go back to the ship..freshen up and hit South Beach for a few hours..say from 8-10.

 

What would the taxi fares be? Is this even doable? What would we do at dark with teens in South Beach..I know duh question. But my 19 year old son REALLY wants to go.

 

Thanks

[piggs]

Thanks so much for your help. Your help has made me want choose different hotels! Until you hear about something from someone who knows, you just can't tell.

 

We'll see if we can get better airfare and/or different hotel choices with another airline.

 

I'll keep searching.

[TrentS]

Trying to find a nice hotel on/across from Sobe & beach for 1 (Sat.) night in March pre-cruise with my 21 yr. old daughter - most nice places are already full - do you know anything about "Hotel Ocean"? or Winterhaven? (I've read the TA reviews, a goldmine for info) but am now getting desperate. I know I'll have to spend. Ocean/beach most imp. to me, Sobe scene for her. Thanks!

Yes, South Beach in March is not an inexpensive proposition! Those 2 hotels are in excellent locations, I've walked past them many many times, but I've never been in either one, sorry.

 

My personal favorite along Ocean Drive is Hotel Victor, it's pricey, but spectacular, and the rooms are gorgeous!... http://hotelvictorsouthbeach.com/

[TrentS]

Can you tell me how to best achieve this itinerary

 

Arriving @ Port RCCL on 12/23/2005 around noon..Would like to get off the ship around 2pm...take the kids..(teens) to the Zoo and do the Duck Tour. Go back to the ship..freshen up and hit South Beach for a few hours..say from 8-10.

 

What would the taxi fares be? Is this even doable? What would we do at dark with teens in South Beach..I know duh question. But my 19 year old son REALLY wants to go.

 

Thanks

The Duck Tour is definitely easy to do. If your ship doesn't offer it as a shore excursion they're located in South Beach, about a $15 cab ride or so from the port.

 

MetroZoo is a good 45-60 minutes from the port with traffic and is quite large. It's not really doable in your time frame, and would be virtually impossible with the duck tour as well. A taxi down there and back to the port would be extremely expensive as well.

 

Well the kids/teens won't be able to get into the clubs, but if you wanted to go over from say 8-10pm there are many many trendy shops along Collins and Washington Avenues, and Lincoln Road Mall that they'll love, and there are dozens of great sidewalk cafes in the old art deco hotels along Ocean Drive from 5th to 15th Street that would be a great place to have dinner and do some of the best people watching on the planet!

[katiensb]

No, our ship doesn't offer it(Duck) as an excursion, so it will have to be on our own. How far is the Duck Tour from South Beach? Is the cab fare 15pp or for the group? Is it true that Parrot Jungle is a waste?

 

What else can we do to fill up 8 hour time frame?

[TrentS]

Cab fares are for the entire cab.

 

The Duck Tour is IN South Beach...

Phone: 786-276-8300

Phone: 1-877-DUCK-TIX

Departure location: 1665 Washington Ave.- South Beach

Tickets can also be purchased at: Art Deco Welcome Center - Located at Ocean Drive & 10th St. (South Beach)

 

The "new" Parrot Jungle is struggling and IMO, yes, it's an overpriced waste of time.

 

There are many things to do in South Beach, lots of shopping & dining, or you may just enjoy spending the day on the beach.

[katiensb]

we actually live on the beach up here in New Smyrna (17 miles South of Daytona Bch), so no , no beach days. I thought the Duck Tour sounded fun/interesting. People watching is of course, always fun. Do the taxi's take on 6 people or will we have to get two/

 

I'm sorry, i'm a small town girl.

Katie

[TrentS]

For 6 people you're going to need 2 taxis.