Finding a Place to Stay in Miami

Overlooking the Beautiful City of Miami1

Miles of shoreline stretch across the warm and sun-kissed city of Miami, which is located on the southeastern tip of The Sunshine State, Florida. Its tropical climate is ideal for soaking up the sunshine while strolling on the soft, sandy beaches. Miami is Florida's largest Spanish-speaking city, and covers 55.27 sq mi (143.15km) of land that contains a population of over 5.4 million people. The city is referred to as "The Gateway to the Americas" because of its cultural ties between the Caribbean, as well as North, South and Central America. Miami retains a strong cultural foundation, while also acting as a home to various major international financial centers. The city is known for its breathtaking beaches, sizzling nightlife and exciting attractions.

1) Accommodation Directory-This is a complete Miami accommodation directory containing detailed information about hotels, B&Bs, luxury resorts, campgrounds and more. With links to accommodation websites and interactive maps, this directory is designed to help visitors find the right place to stay based on their personal preferences.

2) Secure Room Reservations-Check for Miami room availability and then make secure online room reservations for participating properties with this convenient link.

3) Maps-The Miami map can assist visitors in choosing where to stay by not only indicating where accommodations are located, but also where they are in relation to attractions, restaurants, shops, tours and transportation.

ORIENTATION

Miami and its suburbs are located between the Florida Everglades and the beautiful Biscayne Bay. The city can be accessed using four different Interstate Highways (I-75, I-95, I-195, 1-395) and a number of U.S. highways including U.S. Route 1, U.S. Route 27, U.S. Route 41, and U.S. Route 441.

Districts

Downtown
Miami's towering skyline—a magnifcent sight in the late hours of the evening—is hard to miss. The downtown shopping district is a definite must-see, prominent for its sophisticated flair, while the highly commercial area of downtown is scattered full of electronics stores. Miami's towering skyline is hard to miss and is quite a magnificent sight in the late hours of the evening. An abundance of attractive dining destinations are situated in the core. Whether looking for a relaxed and casual lunch, or a posh and upscale dinner, diverse cuisine is offered at a number of restaurants in the area.

Midtown
Midtown is located north of downtown, and south of the Design District. It is home to the prestigious Miami City Ballet-one of the largest ballet companies in the world. Enjoy the elegant performances of famous favorites like George Balanchine's, The Nutcracker.

	Miami's Skyline Overlooking the Sparkling Ocean.2

South Beach
South Beach is a world-famous tourist area and is worshipped in the film and modeling industry. Movies such as the popular "Miami Vice" were filmed here. In the pedestrian-only, high-class shopping district of Lincoln Road Mall, visitors can stroll the streets for elegant boutiques, bookstores, art galleries and studios. For those looking for an exciting night out, Washington Avenue is a hotspot for chic and posh night clubs.

Key Biscayne
Boardwalks and bike trails wind around the beaches of the Key Biscayne district. This tropical paradise is known for its tranquil waters and spectacular sunsets. A golf course, numerous facilities for water sports and fishing and an international tennis center are situated in this district. Key Biscayne also hosts the NASDAQ Tennis tournament.

Little Havana
Little Havana, Miami's Cuban district, is home to many immigrants from the small island nation. Calle Ocho, the annual Cuban street festival (SW 8th St), is held on the last Friday of each month. With over one million visitors annually, travelers can enjoy live reggateton, salsa, bachata and meringue as music floods the streets. Note that SW 8th Street will be closed off to traffic during the festivities. Little Havana is also home to The Miami Orange Bowl, which hosts games for The University of Miami Hurricane's Football Team. Before the opening of Dolphin Stadium in 1987, The Orange Bowl held Miami Dolphin's games.

TRANSPORTATION

Getting There
Just 6 mi (9.7km) west of downtown Miami stands Miami's International Airport (MIA), one of the country's busiest international airports. To avoid congestion and long lineups, curbside check-in is an excellent idea when traveling internationally from the city. Public transportation from the airport is available, but for travelers with luggage and little or no knowledge of the area the best bet is to take a taxi or rent a car, and pick up a map from an info center.Throughout the airport there are 24-hour multilingual information paging phones as well as a currency converter booth available for visitors.

Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL), located 21 mi (33.7km) north of Miami, is smaller and less congested. It does not, however, offer as many international routes. Low cost carriers flying into FLL, such as JetBlue and Southwest Airlines, make for a less expensive alternative.

Getting Around
A variety of low cost, convenient and efficient public transportation options are available in Miami. This includes the Metrobus, Metrorail and the Metromover. The Metro bus and the Metrorail cover Miami-Dade County and the Metromover, with 21 stations in operation, is free of charge and operates throughout downtown Miami. The service also makes stops at Brickell and Government Center Metro Stations. Numerous taxi and limo services are offered as well. Keep in mind that traveling by cab in Miami's popular tourist areas such as Southbeach, is more expensive (ranging $30-$60 US) compared to traveling in the residential areas. Be sure to check with hotels as well, as some may offer complimentary shuttle services for guests. Having a car in Miami can be a great convenience for getting to areas located outside of the downtown core. When compared to other major cities, Miami's rental car rates are fairly low in price.

WHEN TO VISIT

Due to its tropical climate, Miami experiences hot, humid summers and warm, dry winters. Most months of the year are warm and humid with temperatures rarely dropping below 59°F (15°C). August is the hottest month, with daily averages of 89.8°F (32.1°C). Visitors should remmeber that the extreme humidity in summer intensifies the heat so that it feels as hot as 110°F (43.3°C). January is considered the city's coldest month, with temperatures dropping into the mid-60s (approximately 15°C). If the goal is to stay away from extreme heat and the heavy weight of the summer's humidity, visiting during the dry months of December to May is a good idea. The wet season runs from May to September. Keep in mind that it coincides with hurricane season, although the storms tend to only hit Miami every four years on average.

ATTRACTIONS

	A Day of Fun at the Beach3

Miami offers a range of attractions that will appeal to visitors of all ages. The Metrozoo, located in Southwest Miami, is geared towards children and is a sanctuary for endangered species including the Komodo Dragon. Parrot Jungle Island, situated in an extravagant tropical garden off the coast of Miami, is home to exotic animals and visitors can bird watch and view some spectacular wildlife.

Visitors can enjoy the outdoor waterfront shopping, eateries and attractions along Biscayne Bay at Miami's Bayside Marketplace. Whether dining out with friends or looking for family entertainment, Bayside Marketplace offers a great location next to the beach. Hit up the sandy shores after a day fun filled entertainment and exploring.

Miami is home to many impressive, world-class art museums such as The Miami Art Museum, The Museum of Contemporary Art and The Bass Museum of Art. The Miami Design District is the perfect place to find unique furnishing and creative ideas for interior design. It is full of art galleries and antique shops, and many artists with studios reside here.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Miami offers accommodation options that are suitable for every traveler's budget. The city is packed full of resorts, vacation homes, hotels, motels and inns. When it comes down to it, Miami has it all. Most hotels are situated in the area around the airport as well as in Miami Beach. In high season (November through February), expect to find fewer rooms available and higher prices than during the rest of the year.

	Sun Setting Over a Luxury Resort4

High-end
Upscale and prestigious hotels populate the downtown streets, while motels and resorts can be found in other city districts. The posh accommodations in the city center come with hefty prices, but offer luxury not found at less pricey properties.

In the heart of Miami's downtown district, sprawling along a stretch of beach, the upscale InterContinental Miami stands with spectacular views of the skyline and Biscayne Bay. The hotel offers world class dining and close access to some of Miami's hottest clubs. Minutes away from local beaches, downtown's Hyatt Regency Miami offers its visitors spacious and luxurious rooms. Enjoy the extensive guestroom amenities such as The Hyatt Stereo, which docks your Ipod or Mp3 player and allows visitors to fill the room with music. Stay fit at Hyatt's workout room, which features the latest equipment for staying in shape.

The Crowne Plaza is situated 0.5 mi (0.8 km) from Miami's International Airport terminal, and is ideal for business or leisure travelers. Dining and entertainment, like that offered at Dolphin Mall, is within walking distance of the hotel. The resort-style Wyndham Miami Airport Hotel is also minutes from the airport terminal and offers endless amenities to its guests including sleek and elegant décor, spacious rooms and the only IACC approved Executive Meeting Center in South Florida.

	Camping and Kayaking by the Serene and Calm Waters5

Mid-range
Staybridge Suites is located near the airport and amenities include comfortable rooms, a basketball court, swimming pool, a fitness room and more. All suites contain a full kitchen. Situated near the famous Bayside Marketplace, The Holiday Inn Marina Park-Port of Miami and the Holday Inn Airport West has a variety of amenities ranging from a restaurant and lounge to a swimming pool and fitness facilities. Candlewood Suites, located by Miami's International Airport, features a whirpool and outdoor pool. The suites come with a dishwasher, refrigerator, stove and much more.

Budget
For travelers on a budget, there are a few hostels such as South Beach Hostel, located in nearby Miami Beach. There are dorm-beds and private rooms avaliable. Amenities include a pool table, cable TV, two lounges and a full kitchen. Low priced motels and campsites are also located throughout the city. Miami Everglades Campground offers cabins and an RV and tenting park situated in a tropical setting. Facilties include 330 large level sites, 263 pull through sites, and 50 AMP sites.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF:

1. Overlooking the Beautiful City of Miami; Miami, FL, USA
2. Miami's Skyline Overlooking the Sparkilng Ocean; Miami; FL, USA
3. A Day of Fun at the Beach; Miami, FL, USA
4. Sun Setting Over a Luxury Resort; Miami; FL, USA
5. Camping and Kayaking by the Serene and Calm Waters; Miami, FL, USA