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Random Quote: Yea who belives in Fortune Cookie belives in everything
Anyone stay at a hotel close to the Miami Boat Show but NOT on Miami Beach? I refuse to stay on Miami Beach anymore and will gladly shuttle over or take a cab to the show this year. Anyone with personal experiences recommend a nice hotel less than 15 miles away NOT on Miami Beach or any stretch of Collins Ave?
After discussion we changed from the Airport Marriott to the Sonesta Hotel & Suites Coconut Grove (Across the Bay). Yes, there is a 3 night mimimum but it's a great location and we're in for around $900 for the 3 nights! Almost EVERYTHING else is sold out. 11 miles from the Convention Center.
Similarly priced hotels ON Miami Beach are garbage as well as the traffic and parking nightmare. Also, we wont get promised a room only to get walked to another dumpy hotel across the street!
We are staying at the Double Tree (in water show) location. I had to book 4 days, but we were satying the whole time anyway. Another good photo shoot is on it's way.
If you're from out-of-town and want the beach then by all means book a hotel right on the ocean but keep in mind -
Any hotel on Miami Beach that isn't a moldy, loud, dusty tourist trap will cost you close to $450 a night with a 3-4 night minimum. $1500+ for just the room 3-4 nights is way out of our budget (Not to mention the $20/day parking). Also, there is a good chance they will walk you to another less than desireable hotel across the street. Stay on the West side of the Causeway if possible. Miami Beach is not like the South Beach hype you see on the tv and movies. It's old, crowded, unfriendly and expensive. I worked in Miami Beach in the 80's & 90's and continue to see it go downhill.
Read reviews about your Miami Beach Hotel on TripAdvisor.com Most will say "Never Again".
Forget about finding a parking space within 5 miles of the Convention Center after 10:00pm on ANY day.
If you think you'll just get there early to find a spot you may be in for a surprise. Leaving for Miami Beach early does not guarantee you'll get there early. The traffic on Miami Beach is insane and the roads are pre-historic. Getting off the island in the afternoon is even more exciting.
Have your Boat Show tickets sent to you by mail beforehand.
Wiley, were from the same town. I usually just make the 1.5 hour drive...worth staying in a hotel? You probably have some promotion you like to do as well as look around so you stay longer maybe; I don't know, I'm kind of thinking that maybe this year I'll just stay in a hotel as well, hang out, etc.
My friends, didn't take my advice, and got ripped off this year at the Miami Beach hotels. Stay elsewhere even down in Coconut Grove or out at MIA. The taxi ride isn't that bad and you can always do the shuttle buses.
__________________ Capt Alf Harvey
FV Miss Lily
Bocas del Toro
1.5 hour drive? What day and time was this? On my best day the drive back to Jupiter from Miami Beach has never taken less than 2:15. Which after a full day at the Boat Show is not fun - only to drive back the next day.
I say we all take over a floor at a hotel away from madness.
1.5 hour drive? What day and time was this? On my best day the drive back to Jupiter from Miami Beach has never taken less than 2:15. Which after a full day at the Boat Show is not fun - only to drive back the next day.
I say we all take over a floor at a hotel away from madness.
Wiley, I own a Fountain , I'm sorry I like to also drive fast too...usally go pretty early and take the Turnpike and then cut across on 836 (I think that is the highway) that runs parellel to the airport.
I like the idea of taking over the floor! I'll look into the Marriott.
Ok. So lets say you have an unlimited budget (Wouldn't scare me to spend $1k + a night on a nice room - even at a 4 day minimum). Where would y'all kick up your boots? Keep in mind I HATE to drive in traffic, I wont drink if I'm driving, I don't do real well waiting on some dumba$$ cab or bus driver, and I like CLEAN hotels.
Wet-n-Wiley - 6/30/2006 12:23 PM Booked a Marriott near the airport !
I stay at that location a LOT, and you might be interested in knowing that that Marriott is actually a 3 hotel location. FYI, there is also a Courtyard and a Fairfield Inn inter-connected to the Mariott (it's a hugh piece of property), both of which cost much less per night than the Marriott, with the advantage of having the Marriott's amenities available - including the Marriotts excellent restaurant.
Also FYI, that 3 hotel complex has a 24 hr shuttle bus to the airport, and the hotels have long term parking, both of which are why I stay there (at the cheaper Fairfield Inn).
You might also want to try the Fontainebleau. It's right across from the Yacht Show and about 2 miles North of the CC. It's right on the ocean and a pretty nice property. I stayed there often in the 90's and wasn't overly impressed but now they have new suites that are NICE!
The area around the Fontainebleau will be VERY active that weekend.
Maybe we can all meet up at the Fountain display at the Miami Show.
NOTE: I USE HOTELS.COM AS A REFERENCE AND NOT FOR BOOKING. ALWAYS BOOK YOUR HOTEL DIRECTLY AND NOT FROM A THIRD PARTY!
Also FYI, that 3 hotel complex has a 24 hr shuttle bus to the airport, and the hotels have long term parking, both of which are why I stay there (at the cheaper Fairfield Inn).
UPDATE:
After discussion we changed to the Sonesta Hotel & Suites Coconut Grove. Yes, there is a 3 night mimimum but it's a great location and we're in for around $900 for the 3 nights! Almost EVERYTHING else is sold out.
Doubletree Grand Hotel Biscayne Bay
1717 North Bayshore Drive
Miami, FL 331321180
United States
Phone: 1/305/372-0313
Fax: 1/305/539-9228
Sign Up Here for Special Offers, Fast Reservations,
and HHonors Points & Miles
Arrival: Thursday, 16 February 2006 For local weather click here
Departure: Monday, 20 February 2006
Rooms: 1
Adults: 2
Room Description: 1KNG/GRAND STE/NON SMOKING
Room Rate Per Night: 409.00 US DOLLARS
Rate Change: Sunday, Feb 19 2006, 349.00 US DOLLARS
Total Room Rate: 1576.00 US DOLLARS
Tax: 6.00% Per Room Per Night
Doubletree Grand Hotel Biscayne Bay all booked up too!
JW Marriott South Beach had rooms available at $520/night and suites at $720/night.
After discussion we changed to the Sonesta Hotel & Suites Coconut Grove. Yes, there is a 3 night mimimum but it's a great location and we're in for around $900 for the 3 nights! Almost EVERYTHING else is sold out.
This worked out better for us. Wife can now spend some time at the Coconut Grove Art Fest that weekend (right outside the hotel), boat show is close, and Kingair... you're 7 miles away so we can get a gang to meet up at Montys! - again, right outside our hotel!
Wiley, I own a Fountain , I'm sorry I like to also drive fast too...usally go pretty early and take the Turnpike and then cut across on 836 (I think that is the highway) that runs parellel to the airport.
I like the idea of taking over the floor! I'll look into the Marriott.
I had problems finding a room just for one night within 20 miles of the Convention Center. If you're just going to book a single night then chances are it'll have to be near the airport. Let me know if I can help.
Miami Boat Show Hotels NOT on Miami Beach 
