1675-22 Raleigh Hotel USATODAY.com - Treasures on South Beach Page 1 of 4
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Treasures on South Beach
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By Diane Marshall, special for USATODAY.com
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Chic. Chicer. Chicest. The battle of the beds goes on in fashionable
South Beach.
Since Barbara Capitman's Miami Design Preservation League established the area as a ^,
national historic district in the 1980s, it has become chic to buy and restore hotels in the
neighborhood that Christopher Blackwell, owner of Island Records, singer Gloria Estefan and
Studio 54 founder Ian Schrager call home. Photographers used the beautiful hotels as •
backdrops to shoot models, the modeling agencies set up camp, Versace arrived, and record -
producers and rock stars opened studios; Miami Beach found itself a hedonistic playground and _
an alluringly global community. (Related story: Where the stars spend the night)
On mainland Miami, you'll find newer chain and larger hotels catering to convention and group
travelers. However, smaller treasures do exist. South Florida's high season runs November
through March, but many properties don't raise rates until the big crush starts in January. Prices
at Miami hotels generally decrease on May 31 for summer, but you also might find some good TIMING'
deals from March 15 to May 15. Prices generally increase on November 1 for winter season, but
some bargains might be had from November 15 to January 15. (Related item: EVERYTHING
USATODAY.com's hotel directory,for more options in Miami)
WHEN IT
North Beach comfort—"Ooh"and "aah"at azure waters from the 390 rooms in the new 32- pME 5 TO
story Trump International Sonesta Beach Resort in Sunny Isles, a few miles north of Miami
Beach. It's classic Sonesta with high-end artwork—including a large Roy Lichtenstein in the t tlp►NIr►G.
lobby—a living room-style bar, lobby lounge, full-service business center„ meeting rooms, and
wood and marble throughout. Spacious rooms and suites range from 450 to 1,600 square feet.
Amenities are plentiful for vacation and business travelers, including in-room high-speed
Internet, data ports, two-line cordless phones and Web TV. The free-form pool adjacent to the
beach has waterfalls, tropical foliage, a pool bar and grill, and air-conditioned cabanas with
entertainment units. The Aquanox Spa features treatments, a eucalyptus steam room, and
aromatherapy showers. 18101 Collins Ave., Sunny Isles Beach; 305-692-5200;
www.trumpsonesta.corn.
Money is no object—Bragging rights come with staying in South Beach at The Delano, one of
—if not the—chicest places to rest your head at night. With few exceptions, everything is white
in this Ian Schrager-meets-Philippe Starck tribute to the design gods. The bars and Blue Door
restaurant are intense see-and-be-seen spots. Stake your claim to a chaise and cabana around
the pool, sashay to the pool bar and send the kids off to the Delano Kids program. There are
more amenities than you'll ever use: in-room safe and VCR, data ports, a 1,500-film video
library, two-line conference phones, in-room fax, portable phone and portable computer on
request, down comforters, an interactive multimedia room, unpacking service, hospitality suites,
a private beach village, private outdoor children's play area, and physical trainers. Summer
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USATODAY.com - Treasures on South Beach Page 2 of 4
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rates from$265. 1685 Collins Ave., South Beach; 800-555-5001 or 305-672-2000;
www.ianschragerhotels.corn.
Far from the South Beach crowd —The Indian Creek Hotel is only one block west of the
Atlantic's sandy white beach, but it feels light years away from all the hubbub. The staff is
trained to be personable without being gushy. The deco-era lobby is deliciously homey and
reflects the guest room decor with vintage furniture, flowers and comfy, oversized chairs. Grab a
late dinner of Brazilian-Italian cuisine in the Indian Creek Grill. In the morning, do your yoga in
the garden and swim a few laps in the pool, then stop by the business center for faxes, copies
or a courier before your meeting in the conference room. Dash back to your room to go online,
check e-mail or read the headlines. It's one of the best bargains in town during the summer.
Now through October,you can get a room starting at$81, a suite from$114. 2727 Indian Creek
Dr., Miami Beach; 800-491-2772 or 305-531-2727; www.indiancreekhotel.com.
More family fun —The Fontainebleau Hilton Resort on Miami Beach celebrates its 50th
anniversary this year. Presidents, celebrities and generations of families have come to this
landmark hotel with its dramatic sweeping curve. With 920 rooms and 20 acres, it has the feel of
a Las Vegas resort transplanted to the beach. A recent$65 million makeover refurbished guest
rooms and two lobbies and added another restaurant, water theme park and lobby bar. Sinatra
and Presley are gone, but La Ronde, the showroom where they performed, is still there, only
now it's called Club Tropigala. Some things haven't changed, like the two outdoor pools,
including a free-form, half-acre rock grotto with waterfalls. Business travelers will feel just as at
home, with such in-room features as two-line speaker phones, voice mail and data ports, as
well as a business center with a notary public, office rental, dictaphones and secretarial
services. Special summer rates start at$139. 4441 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 305-538-2000;
w.fontainebleauhilton.corn,
Dive into deco design —While most South Beach hotels hired the most fashionable names in
interior design to reinvent themselves in the latest Euro fashion, The Raleigh stayed with the Art
Deco theme. The result is a period glamour that feels effortless, comfortable, and accessible.
Under new ownership, the 104 rooms are being refurbished in deco design, of course. Slip
between 400-thread count cotton sheets for sweet dreams. Sip a martini in the bar before
dinner on the veranda overlooking one of Miami's most beautiful pools, shaped like the
silhouette of an owl, surrounded by stately palm trees. Need to do a little business? Use the
meeting facilities, take everyone up to your room to meet via speakerphone, or carry your
laptops and towels poolside for a little wireless work. It's priced right this summer, $150
weekdays, $175 weekends. 1775 Collins Ave., South Beach; 305-534-6300;
www.raleighhotel.com.
Coolest Miami Beach hotel on a backpacker budget—The Creek, named after the adjacent
Indian Creek, is a 1950s-era, two-story motor lodge reincarnated as a hip "alternative space
meets budget hotel"with a futuristic theme. The 85 rooms vary. There are spacious water and
pool-deck (noisy) overlooks, cool altered living spaces designed by multimedia artists and
designers, and shared rooms with four to six bunk beds, catering to the backpacker crowd that
frequented the property when it was the Banana Bungalow. There's artwork everywhere, from
full-wall murals to sneaker sculptures. The public areas are just that, public. They pulsate with
youthful energy as DJs host parties, spinning anything from reggae to house through a high-
tech sound system. Events are ongoing. It's a block from the beach amid high-rises at the north
end of South Beach and 20 minutes from Miami Airport. Private rooms run $69-$129. Shared
rooms cost at$17-$21. 2360 Collins Ave., South Beach; 305-538-1951;
www.thecreeksouthbeach.corn.
Simply mahvellous—In a city where multistarred hotels seem to compete with the night sky
for brilliance, the new Mandarin Oriental outshines them all. The 327-room hotel rises offshore
downtown Miami's financial district on Brickell Key. Bamboo floors, marble baths, high-speed
Internet, dual-line cordless phones, international direct dialing, and Bose music systems are
typical in-room features. Corporate travelers can take advantage of a business center with
everything from secretarial services to computer work stations. Massages and treatments aside,
the mere panoramic ocean view from the three-story spa is invigorating. Even kids are
pampered with bathrobes, their own amenities, games, music and DVDs. Azul, the hotel's
waterfront restaurant, features the cuisine of chef Michelle Bernstein, who shares her culinary
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secrets in half-day cooking classes in the restaurant kitchen. The hotel imported 26 tons of sand
to create a private beach outfitted with Balinese-styled hammocks, Thai-style canopied day
beds, bamboo, native coral coquina, and outdoor massage cabanas. Summer rates start at
$219 or go for the"Fantastic Weekend"package, which starts at$450. You check in and
receive the keys to your room as well as a Porsche Boxster or Harley Davidson to use during
your stay. 500 Brickell Key Dr., downtown Miami;305-913-8288;
www.mandarinoriental.com/miami www.man(!-Irinorient. com/miami.
Best boutique hotel—If you're traveling with your spouse, you'll earn bonus points by staying
at the Hotel Place St. Michel, a romantic little European-style hotel in Coral Gables. The scent
of fresh flowers and fresh fruit lingers in the 27 rooms, which are decorated with European
antiques. After your complimentary continental breakfast and newspaper, it will take you only
five minutes to reach the Gables' Miracle Mile, a tony stretch of restaurants, shops, and
businesses between Douglas Road and Le Jeune Road, and 20 minutes to drive to downtown
Miami. The office provides fax and copying service, and you can surf the Net and check e-mails
using in-room data ports. 162 Alcazar Ave., Coral Gables; 800-848-4683 or 305-444-1666;
www.hotelplacestmichel.corn.
Grooving in the Grove—Fifteen minutes south of downtown, in the heart of bohemian hip
Coconut Grove, the Sonesta Hotel features 300 rooms and suites with balconies overlooking
marinas and downtown Miami. The decor is fashionably European, with contemporary art, two
shades of green offset by sandy beige, and high-tech features like an electronic international
newspaper kiosk. The pool, restaurant, outdoor bar and sundeck command ocean views from
the eighth floor. Complimentary shuttles transport guests to nearby attractions and the Sonesta
Beach Resort Key Biscayne for spa and tennis facilities and beach, which is rated among the
top 10 U.S. beaches. A full-service business center lets you work away from home; dual-line
phones, high-speed Internet and voice mail let you work in your room overlooking the bay.
Rates start at$179 through September. Bring the kids for the Family Fun package, which
includes accommodations, daily breakfast for four, tickets to Miami Seaquarium for four, and a
one-day beach pass from $209 through September. 2889 McFarlane Rd., Coconut Grove; 305-
529-2828; www.sonesta.com,
Get a grip—Play golf every day at the Doral Golf Resort and Spa, world famous for its five
courses, including the Blue Monster, which hosts a PGA tournament each year. Along with
beauty and health treatments, the spa offers yoga and personal fitness training for golfers, both
designed to improve your game. Despite its name, there's more to the resort than golf: The
Arthur Ashe Tennis Center has 11 courts and Camp Doral has day and evening programs for
kids up to 12 years old. Spacious rooms are decorated in muted colors with plantation shutters
and private balconies. Work from your room using high-speed Internet or use PCs in the
business center, which also offers supplies, faxing and secretarial services. It's only 20 minutes
northwest of Miami airport. Summer rates start at$170. Golf packages start at$145, while the
Blue Monster Golf package starts at$200 per person, double. 4400 N.W. 87th Ave., Miami;
305-592-2000 or 800-71-DORAL; www.doralresort.com.
Home sweet home—The Miami River Inn, the city's only bed-and-breakfast, is a breath of
fresh air in a town where hotels constantly try to out-chic one another. The nearly 100-year-old
historic inn overlooks lush gardens, its namesake river and downtown Miami. The 40 rooms in
four cottages feature hardwood floors, antiques and a homey feel, as well as all the
conveniences of home. You can even bring along the dog! The inn's office has fax, copy and
Internet access. Rates start at$89 through June, then drop to$69 through October. 118 SW
South River Dr., downtown Miami; 800-468-3589 or 305-325-0045; www.miamiriverinn.com.
It's a family thing—The Riviera Court Motel proves that you can find well-kept budget
accommodations outside of the chains. Built in the 1950s along the Coral Gables Waterway by
the current owner's father, the motel thrives on personal service, including remembering names
and accommodating guests' unexpected needs. The 31 rooms have data ports and voice mail
and new cribs and rollaways for families. In the mornings guests congregate in the lobby for
continental breakfast and coffee. Located in Coral Gables close to the University of Miami,
rooms fill quickly during big sports events, festivals and graduation. However, don't worry, the
Riviera doesn't raise prices, which start at$68 for a double through the summer. They also have
family-friendly two-bedroom units and efficiencies starting at$80. 5100 Riviera Dr.; 305-665-
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USATODAY.com -Treasures on South Beach Page 4 of 4
3528.
Collegiate convenience—A recent facelift brightened the Best Western South Miami and
made it an attractively priced choice if you don't want to be on the beach or downtown. It's
within walking distance of the University of Miami, a Metrorail station for jetting downtown,
South Miami Hospital and medical facilities, the Shops at Sunset Place for typical mall shopping
(Niketown, Virgin Megastore) and dining (Johnny Rockets, Dan Marino's). Its location makes it
popular with business travelers and families who make good use of the outdoor pool in a pretty
garden setting, meeting facilities and a fitness center. There's free shuttle service to Coral
Gables, Coconut Grove, the airport, attractions and shopping. The 117 rooms and suites are
attractive and well-appointed with marble and granite baths, in-room safes, dual-phone lines,
and data ports for Internet access. The area has good restaurants or you can dine at the hotel
all day. Low season rates start at$89. 5959 S.W. 71st St., Miami; 305-667-6664 or 800-935-
8452; www.bestwesternsouthmiami.com.
Close to the airport—When every minute counts, whether it's getting a few more minutes of
sleep or squeezing a few more minutes into a meeting, there's no better choice than the Miami
International Airport Hotel, located within 50 feet of the ticket counters in the airport, opposite
Concourse E. It has meeting rooms for up to 12 people and conference facilities for as many as
200. Roomy guest rooms have soundproof windows, bright, flowery decor and data ports. You
can grab a quick game of racquetball or swim a few laps in the pool, then relax in the steam and
sauna rooms. Summer and fall overnight rates start at$145 for a double. Day rates (10 a.m. to
6 p.m.) run $85. In Miami airport; 800-327-1276 or 305-871-4100; www.miahotel.com.
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