Miami, FL: Hotel & Motel Planning Guide

Best Time of Year to Visit Miami, Florida

Miami is an excellent leisure or business location any time of the year. For the best in seasonal prices, the quietest months of June through September are the time to visit. If your plans bring you to Miami during the winter, plan on crowds, long waits in line, and higher hotel rates any time from January through April. Plan ahead and book in advance to guarantee accommodations.

Best Discounts in Miami, Florida

When facilities for business events are needed, choosing a hotel with convenience, comfort, and group facilities is a priority. At YVE Hotel Miami located in the downtown district, guests receive all that, and more. Rated with a 10.0/10 and an average group discount of 12.4 percent, the hotel provides top-notch services, and features and amenities groups have come to expect. YVE Hotel Miami features easily accessible rooms and suites for business and leisure guests, casual dining and bar, valet parking, and a 24-hour fitness center. Group facilities include spacious Inspiration meeting rooms and an extra 2000 square feet of space in the Bayfront Conference Space featuring two boardrooms and open break areas.

At the 5-star Mandarin Oriental, Miami, luxury accommodations and quality customer service is standard. The downtown hotel is centrally located to many of Miami's attractions, activities, dining options, and shopping venues. At the hotel, luxury is combined with savings for group events. The hotel provides 15 conference rooms, ballroom, projection screens, high-speed internet access, and video conferencing equipment. The exceptional facilities have earned the hotel an 8.6/10 rating and groups an impressive 25.9 percent in savings. Guests can choose between rooms or suites, enjoy waterside views while dining, and be rejuvenated at The Spa at Mandarin Oriental with treatments and holistic therapies.

Best Value Options in Miami, Florida

EPIC describes the tone and atmosphere of Kimpton's EPIC Hotel situated among the hustle, bustle, and upscale attitude of downtown Miami. Rated as one of the "500 World's Best Hotels 2015" by Travel + Leisure and the "2015 Reader's Choice Award Winner" by Conde Nast Traveler, validates this hotel's dedication to complete guest satisfaction. Its chic sophistication is everywhere from the specialty cocktails served at the Lilt Lounge to the exceptional treatment at Exhale spa. Take swimming to another level at one of two rooftop pools. Dining is a delicious experience at Area 31 with the expert attention of Chef Wolfgang Birk and at Zuma Miami with Chef Rainer Becker. Both ensure each plate is created to perfection whether dining for breakfast, lunch, brunch, or dinner. Additional perks include a hosted wine hour each night and complimentary tea and coffee served each morning in the hotel lobby.

At Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay, step into the modern comfort of a guest room with private balcony or reserve a spacious suite with a living room, bedroom, and scenic views. The Miami flare for creativity is displayed throughout each room with original art work by area artists. Enjoy the fresh menus from the Catch Grill & Bar, Espressamente Illy Café., or your favorite beverage from the 180⁰ Pool Bar. Guests can enjoy the heated pool, fitness and health center, plan a sailing adventure, and go water-skiing or scuba diving. Located in the heart of the entertainment district, guests are just minutes from the performing arts district, shopping, dining, and nightlife of South Beach. Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay is just 7.5 miles from Miami International Airport and 25 miles from Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport. For your convenience, the Omni People Mover Station is 0.3 miles from the hotel.

Things to Do in Miami, Florida

Miami has a list of things to do for the culturally inclined such as the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts and Gusman Center for the Performing Arts. For visitors interested in exquisite Renaissance-style architecture, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, built in 1916, is a "must see" destination.

Kids and adults will enjoy the sights at the Museum of Science and Space Transit Planetarium, Miami Children's Museum, and interesting wildlife and underwater inhabitants at Jungle Island and the Miami Seaquarium.

Miami is known for its menu of delectable traditional Spanish and Cuban cuisine and in Little Havana, you can savor the flavor of delectable delights. Grab a cup of cafe con leche, to go, and head out for a picnic or a round of golf at the 265-acre A. O. Greynolds Park, or drink in the beauty of Bayfront Park with its 32 acres of beautifully landscaped greenery.

A major draw for Miami visitors is the miles of pristine beach and excellent opportunities for above water activities as well as underwater snorkeling and scuba diving. Whether you want to sunbathe, watch the sunset, or collect seashells, choose from one of the many beaches such as Hobie, Lummus, and Crandon, and for those who want to be totally free there's Haulover Beach, the only clothing-optional beach in Miami.

Underwater exploration is what it's all about when visiting Biscayne National Park. Strap on diving gear and venture to the depths where plaques note the way along the Maritime Heritage Trail lined with many ships that sank along the coast.

While staying in Miami, take a walk through the past in the Art Deco District located on Miami Beach. The district features extraordinary architecture from the 1930s and 1940s. The neighborhood has 800 structures built between 1923 and 1943, and noted by the National Register of Historic Places. The treasure trove of pastel-colored buildings details the Art Deco style of the past with an array of terrazzo tiles, glass, chrome, and porthole windows. Begin at the Art Deco Welcome Center for information, brochures, and to schedule a guided tour.

A visit to Miami, no matter what time of year, for business or pleasure, is an experience like no other. Enjoy a tropical atmosphere where unlimited fun is available for all ages. Experience casual and fine dining, multiple attractions, sports, and Atlantic beaches while soaking up the diverse culture of one of Florida's most visited destination locations.

Travel overview of Miami, FL

Miami is definitely Florida's most exciting city. The intoxicatingly beautiful palm-lined shores paint a strong picture in everyone's head, all thanks to the postcards, television series, and movies that have capitalized on its beauty. Apart from tourists who flock the famed Miami's beach, the city also attracts a number of corporate delegates, all wishing to hit big in one of the Latin American headquarters stationed in the central business district. The swampy outpost has emerged as Florida's main destination, with a Downtown and South Beach that are equally world-renowned. Miami Beach is filled with Art Deco buildings; South Beach is brimming with hot bodies sauntering in the shore; and Downtown Miami transports tourists into the city's Latin heart. All three may be booked throughout the year, but there's always the creative Wynwood Art and Design Districts, the Caribbean vibe of Little Haiti, the Cuban center Little Havana, the constituent neighborhood of Coral Gables, the crazy farm town of Villa Vizcaya, and the upscale Key Biscayne to explore.

'Miami, son, is always a good idea.
Jeff Lindsay, a hugely successful crime novelist and playwrights, penned down these words to express the love for Miami that one of his characters had. The writer himself was born in Miami and has made it his home. So, it doesn't come as a surprise when he “ along with hosts of other artists “ make Miami their muse. 

What is it about Miami that attract people from around the world, especially from other American states? The reasons can be quite obvious superficially. But a cold, hard assessment will provide stranger answers. Miami is not all about the sun and the sand. Miami is not all about waves, tanning and lounging. Miami is not all about water sports and incredibly zoos. Miami is definitely all about all-night long partying and unending rivers of intoxicants. 

Miami, at its very core, is all about letting yourself free. Letting go of worldly inhibitions that hinder your voyage of self-discovery, limiting you to a person who you are told you always will be. That sense of liberation is what draws everyone “ from young spring breakers in Ohio to old retirees in Alaska “ to this city, at least for a few days of sunshine, if not to settle permanently. For all of our readers who harbour the hopes and ambitions of visiting Miami sooner rather than later, here is a quick round up of the hotel scene in Miami. 

Living Cheap in Miami 

A trip to this pleasure city should not necessarily mean that you will have to shell out hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars on hotel expenses. There are more than many cheap hotels in Miami that can get the job of providing a comfortable and sound bed to crash at night. 

To begin with, it must be made clear that you shouldn't expect to find amazing decor and three-foot deep mattresses in cheap hotels “ not just in Miami, but pretty much everywhere else. But it should also be mentioned that some of the Miami hotels are quite pleasantly surprising in this regard, offering you better rooms than what their charges are really worth. 

One among such is Quality Inn Miami. The best positive that goes in the favor of Quality Inn Miami is its location. It is located at a drive of just about 5 minutes from the airport, making it easily accessible for tourists. Spring Hill Suites also offer quite cheap prices for tourists, especially during the season of lesser activity. Residence Inn & Suites (formerly operated by Hilton) is another notable hotel in affordable category. 

Finding Flamboyance in Miami 

Miami is a city that just loves being flamboyant. From garishly decorated palms during summer to throngs of young tourists engulfed in fancy beachwear, Miami takes every opportunity of being a stylish, cool and laid back city with both arms stretched wide open. 

Why would hotels in Miami want to feel left out then?

Over 100 certified luxury hotel establishments operate within the city limits of Miami (not to mention many others that operate just outside the city limits). 

Among all these notoriously pricey Miami hotels, Conrad Miami should rank among top five. Loaded with dozens of suites that befit presidents and royalty, Conrad Miami is also a home to over 20 pools of varying parameters and styles. Viceroy Miami is another name that just cannot be excluded from this discussion, especially because of its famed association with the Beatles. 

Other notable names in this category include Mandarin Oriental Miami, Epic Kimpton Miami, Four Seasons Miami and Mayfair Hotel and Spa. 

Feel Like Sightseeing in Miami?

The name Miami, to most tourists, evokes the images of warm Atlantic water and tropical weather, golden sunshine all year round and white sand stretches, palm groves and coconut alleys, cocktails and seafood and not to forget countless hours spent watching CSI: Miami or Miami Vice. 

That is definitely not a picture that is far off from the reality. But tourists should be informed that there are many other facets to Miami than these. 

American Airlines Arena would probably be the first choice destination for fans of Miami Heat. If you happen to visit during the game season, so much the better!

Zoological Wildlife Foundation is a great place to see, get to know and learn as much as you can about wildlife, and human impact on it. If you are going to Miami with kids, a trip there should be high up on your agenda. 

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens should also be added your itinerary if you haven't already. The museum features relics and reproductions of the long past era of Spanish dominance and local history of independence. 

Safari Adventure is a hit among children as it features a full scale petting zoo, along with fun rides. 

Lodging in The Vicinity of The Airport 

Miami International Airport is among the top five busiest airports in North America and it, on its own, handles the whole traffic from and most of the traffic to Latin America. 

If this airport is going to be your port of entry into the city, you would be glad to know that it is located just a short drive north of Miami city limits. If you are looking for hotels in Miami that are easily accessible from the airport as well as the city, your best bet lies along this 10 mile stretch of the highway. 

As noted earlier, Quality Inn is a great pick nearby the Miami International Airport. 

Miami Local Transport 

Miami houses an elaborate scheme of local public transport operated by Miami-Dade Transit Co.

It includes a vast network of Metro Rail and Tri-Rail that allows thousands of commuters to travel in and around the city. Similarly, Metro Bus and Metro-Mover make sure that citizens and visitors of Miami can travel within the city limits easily, conveniently and cheaply. 

If public transport doesn't entice you much, you can always rent a car or hire a private cab with an experienced guide to show you around.