Why go far? 20 fabulous sleeps in our backyard
Posted on Sun, Jun. 08, 2008
BY JANE WOOLDRIDGE
A cabana is a fine place to laze away the day at this oceanfront hotel.
BEFORE YOU BOOK
Be sure to ask about
Florida resident rates and
discounts for members of AAA and AARP (OK, we hate to admit it). To get a true picture of costs, ask about these price factors:
• Parking. This can add as much as $40 per night to your tab -- so it really pays to look for deals that include parking. If you can't snag one of those, pick a hotel that has a public lot within walking distance. Or get the neighbors to drop you off.
• Resort fees. We don't believe in them -- but resorts do, and they aren't optional. Good news: Some actually cover things you should have paid for anyway, like many gratuities.
• Surcharges. You'd be amazed at the surcharges we've seen . . . a sneaky way of upping the rate, if you ask us. So be sure you ask the hotel before you plop down the credit card.
• Taxes. Alas, unavoidable.
-- JANE WOOLDRIDGE
At long last, our towns -- and our hotels -- again belong to us.
Like boat parades and, yes, hurricane season, the culling of the crowds is an annual rite. And once the stars, paparazzi and sun-starved Winter People clear out of town, local lodgings always drop their rates. But with the economic blues on every mind, hoteliers in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe counties are offering up Florida resident-deals that are even sunnier than usual.
The insider secret: This summer, bigger is likely to be better.
Because big hotels have hundreds of rooms to fill, they slash rates dramatically -- this year as much as 40 to 75 percent. The result: That room at a resort with spa, multiple pools, beachfront locations and children's programs may cost only $20-$40 more than staying at a smaller hotel that's further from the sea and offers only a pool or hot tub.
And it's not just the rate that matters. Some resorts are sweetening the deal with gas rebates, food-and-beverage credits, late check-out times, spa discounts and stay-two-nights, get-one-free deals. Lodgings that once required a two-night stay on weekends are booking Saturday-night visits, so you can cadge a weekend away with only a one-night stand.
That's not to say you can't find dollar-wise rates at smaller hotels. On Miami Beach, the Blue Moon on Collins -- which sports a new bar -- has a $79 rate, the hip Clinton on Washington Avenue offers a $99 Florida resident rate, and in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, the cheerily funky Best Florida Resort, a block from the sea, offers a $65 rate.
Don't have the time or money even for an overnighter? Check out a meal special, two-for-one attraction offer or a spa discount. You'll find information on all of these in this section.
But say you have decided to get away for a few nights. With almost 90,000 hotel rooms in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, how do you choose?
We visited dozens of hotels from Palm Beach to South Beach to come up with our list of 20 Fab Places to Stay this summer. We've focused on places that are new, less known or unusually good bargains -- or in some cases, places we love so much we just couldn't resist.
Note that rates shown here are often good only for Florida residents, and you may need a Florida I.D. at check-in. Hint: Rates are almost always cheaper during the week.
LUXURIES
Splurge hotels aren't for the budget-stressed, but if you've got some give because you passed on that Europe trip, this is your chance to stay at some of the region's most posh haunts. Herewith, a few of our faves:
• REGENT BAL HARBOUR: Opened earlier this year by hoteliers famed for luxury, the Regent offers style, serenity and attention to detail -- a combo that put it on Travel + Leisure's list of the world's 30 best new hotels. The intimate lobby is artfully arranged -- think orchids and beautiful low seating groups -- and looks out to a terrace that, in turn, overlooks the Haulover Pass and beyond it, Haulover Beach.
The spa here is the first in North America from Guerlain, the French cosmetics house, and features ultra-private treatment rooms where you dress, shower and relax. A comfortable pool and slip of beach on the Atlantic feel exclusive and discreet; cuisine is served at the first Cordon Bleu restaurant in the United States.
Rooms are big and airy, ranging from 500 square feet for a standard to a 1,100-square-foot suite; all have terraces. But what we love best here are the bathtubs: great swoops of white that, in standard rooms, look right out at the water.
Details: Summer rates from $375 -- about half the high-season tariff. 305-455- 5400; www.regenthotels.com/balharbour. Valet parking, $32 per day.
• RITZ-CARLTON PALM BEACH: Of the newer hotels in Palm Beach, the Ritz-Carlton is our fave, thanks to a $100 million renovation that has left the hotel feeling light, luxurious and contemporary. Pluses: Programs for kids and teens, a great pool area and beachfront location. Drawback: It's a good six-mile drive from downtown Palm Beach.
Details: The hotel offers several good packages -- and rates go down in August. The Family Reconnect package includes a room for four people, breakfast daily for four, two passes to the children's programs, valet parking and a $50 credit good in the hotel restaurants, from $309 per night, Aug. 6-Oct. 1. The Summer Escape package offers a third night free plus $50 resort credit starting at $229 through Oct. 1. 561-533- 6000; www.ritzcarlton.com. Parking $25 per day.
• FISHER ISLAND: Fisher Island comes with a pedigree: In the 1920s, its namesake owner, Carl Fisher, traded the island to William Vanderbilt II for his 250-foot yacht. Vanderbilt spent what was then a massive sum of $1.5 million to build a mansion; refurbished, it is the mainstay of the Fisher Island Club.
Today, of course, the 216-acre island just south of South Beach is the oh-so-private enclave of multimillion dollar condos, reached only by ferry. What many South Floridians don't know is that the island is home to a 62-room hotel, adjacent to the original Vanderbilt mansion -- leaving you feeling like you're a billionaire, even if you aren't. Facilities include a spa, fitness center, golf and tennis, pool and beach club.
Details: And in summer, rates drop from the astronomical -- $700 and up -- to a mere splurge starting at $249. www.fisherisland.com; 305-535-6076. Resort fees of $64.20 per day include the ferry pass.
• PILLARS, FORT LAUDERDALE: For romance, the stylish Pillars on New River Sound may well be your most alluring option. Each of the 22 rooms is individually appointed with decor that is elegant and traditional without being stuffy; all surround a pool set by the waterway. Though the beach is only a few blocks away, you may never get there; this is the sort of place you just don't want to leave.
Details: Rates from $185; stay two midweek nights this summer and get a $50 credit toward meals or drinks. www.pillarshotel.com; 954-467-9639. Free parking.
HISTORIC CHARM
Yes, historically speaking, South Florida is just a rowdy teen, but we do have heritage, often best enjoyed at historic hotels. A few we love:
• THE BREAKERS: Railroad magnate Henry Flagler's Palm Beach grand dame is still a sight to behold, a sandcastle-turned-real on the Atlantic shore flanked by broad lawns for golf, gardens and croquet. Renovations of $250 million since 1990 keep the old girl up with the times.
Details: Daily rates start at $369 through July 30 and drop to $299 Aug. 1-Sept. 30; the longer you stay, the lower the rate. www.thebreakers.com; 561-655-6611 or 888-BREAKERS. Parking $20 per day.
• BOCA RESORT & CLUB: One of architect Addison Mizner's gems, the 80-year-old Boca Raton Resort & Club offers historic ambience, gracious grounds, golf, a spa and kids' programs. Inland of the Intracoastal, the resort has long had a beach club outpost that currently is closed for renovation, though the beach itself remains open.
Details: Florida resident deals start at $129 per room through October; if you need more space, a two-bedroom bungalow starts at $199. Parking is included. www.bocaresort.com; 888-491-2622.
• THE COLONY, DELRAY BEACH: The Colony is far more modest than the Breakers, the Boca Raton Resort or Coral Gables' Biltmore, but its fresh rooms still impart an air of times past. Plus, it's right in the middle of bubbling downtown Delray Beach, which means you can walk to first-rate restaurants like 32 East or stumble back from the live music at Elwood's and not worry about consumption. And when you want to hit the beach, the hotel's private beach club (with pool and cabanas) a few miles away on the strand is just the place.
Details: Rooms from $120. www.thecolonyhotel.com/florida; 561-276-4123. Free parking.
RESORTS
Resorts are sort of like Hotel California, with a twist: You can check out, but you probably won't want to. Everything you need is here.
• FAIRMONT TURNBERRY ISLE, AVENTURA: Fresh from a $100 million upgrade, the Fairmont Turnberry Isle now has a second pool complete with lazy river, water slide, waterfall, cabanas and poolside dining. (Yes, that means the main pool is now a serenity zone.) And of course, it's home to Raymond Floyd-redesigned golf courses, the Willow Stream Spa, a beach club and Michael Mina's new Bourbon Steak restaurant. Each of the airy rooms has a balcony; some overlook the tropical garden, while others offer views of the golf courses.
Details: Florida resident rate of $289 includes valet parking, daily breakfast buffet, a $50 resort credit and shuttle to the beach club; available dates vary. Regular summer rates start at $179 per night. www.fairmont.com/turnberryisle; 305-932-6200. Resort fees $13.56 per day.
• WESTIN DIPLOMAT, HALLANDALE BEACH: The Diplomat is best known as a convention hotel, but in summer it morphs into a family resort with a pair of pools, beachfront location and inventive children's programs -- plus the facilities at its golf club. Thanks to the new Destination Club Westin program, families can hang together at events like star-gazing, fireside storytelling and outdoor family movies.
This year, it's all a value: Stay three nights and book by June 30 for stays through Sept. 30, and you'll get a $100 gas credit that is applied to your bill at checkout. Stay longer, and you'll get a bigger credit. Florida residents get 25 percent off the best available rate. And at check-in, families can buy an $80 family package that includes a $100 resort credit, kids-eat-free coupons for those under 5 or at a discount for ages 6-12, and admission to the family evening programs.
Details: Florida resident rates start at $179. www.diplomatresort.com; 954-602- 6000. Self park $17, valet $20.
• LAGO MAR, FORT LAUDERDALE: The hard-to-find Lago Mar feels fresh and new, but in fact the same family has owned it for 50 years, and Florida families have flocked here generation after generation. It's easy to see why: The decor exudes Old Florida graciousness (think grand piano in the lounge and floral carpets), but the outdoors is pure resort, with a big beach, mini-golf course, pools, shuffleboard, volleyball, spa and tennis courts.
Details: Summer rates from $180; children 12 and under eat free through Sept. 30, holidays excluded. www.lagomar.com; 800-LAGOMAR. Free parking.
BEACH CHIC
Between them, South Beach and Fort Lauderdale beach are home to hundreds of savvy hotels-near-the-sea. Many we like, and some -- The Tides, Sagamore,Victor, Astor -- we truly love. We've focused here on a few that hit high marks and may be less familiar.
• GANSEVOORT SOUTH: Just opened this spring, this Miami cousin of the chic meat-packing district Gansevoort in New York is already one of the Beach's hippest hangouts. By day, its rooftop pool is reserved for hotel guests (among them, you're likely to spy celebs like Tommy Hilfiger, Macy Gray, Serena Williams and Britney Murphy, who have all stayed here); come 6 p.m., it's a gathering spot open to the public. A second, 40,000-square-foot deck sits on the third floor, with an infinity edge pool that appears to flow straight into the Atlantic. The lobby is a study in retro chic, and you could spend hours staring at the 16,000-gallon fish tank or playing backgammon.
The former Roney Plaza was gutted and refurbed to the tune of a half-billion dollars, fitted with boutiques, a David Barton gym due to open later this year, condo residences (separate from the hotel) and Phillippe restaurants. The 300-plus rooms measure more than 700 square feet, with high ceilings that let in the light and savvy touches like espresso machines, beach bags and flat-screen TVs.
Details: Summer rates for Florida residents start at $250 and run through Oct. 1. www.gansevoortsouth.com; 305-604-1000. Parking $38 per day.
• HOTEL DE SOLEIL, MIAMI BEACH: If you've never heard of this four-diamond South Beach hotel, you're forgiven; practically no one has, making this 3-year-old contemporary hideaway (formerly the Regent) one of SoBe's best secrets (even though the chic Table 8 restaurant is here). From lobby -- stretching from Collins to Ocean Drive -- to hallways and rooms, the hotel oozes low-key sophistication. Every room features a balcony; unless you're a glutton for noisy punishment, you'll ask for one facing the second-level pool. And about that pool: you can see it from below in the open-air lounge, so don't be pulling down your bathing suit. For a splurge, take one of the penthouse rooms with a roof-top patio and hot tub.
Details: Rooms from $295. www.desoleilsouthbeach.com; 305-672-4554. Parking $32 per day.
• SADIGO COURT, MIAMI BEACH: Feel like a SoBe resident at the cozy Sadigo Court. Created from a 1936 apartment building, the hotel features pretty, fresh studios and one-bedroom apartments, some with terraces overlooking a tropical courtyard. Each unit has an air conditioner, but hallways can be warm. The location between the beach and the convention center, a couple of blocks from the Setai, means you get access to the action without all the noise.
Details: A one-bedroom suite with kitchen goes for $145 this summer and includes continental breakfast. www.sadigocourt.com; 305-672-9135. Parking cards are sold here for $10 per 24 hours.
• ATLANTIC: Of the several newish hotels and condo projects on Fort Lauderdale beach, The Atlantic -- part of the Starwood group -- is our favorite, thanks to a terrific restaurant (Trina) and chic styling that manages to be warm as well. The pool deck -- on an upper level -- looks out on the beach.
Details: Summer rates start at $199 -- if you can snag one -- and the hotel has a fourth-night-free program this season. 954-567-8020; www.luxurycollection.com/atlantic. Parking $28 per day.
URBAN LEGENDS
Center cities don't have the expanse and graciousness of acres of rolling golf course, but the sense of oasis-amid-the-furor can be just as soothing.
• MANDARIN ORIENTAL, MIAMI: Maybe it's because we've got an Asian fixation, but the Mandarin Oriental remains our favorite hotel in Miami, thanks to great restaurants, exquisite guest rooms and Asian touches throughout. The Brickell Key location puts it almost in downtown -- but not quite, which is part of its charm.
Details: Florida residents pay $269 midweek, $289 weekends; this Fantastic Florida Escape package includes daily breakfast for two, complimentary valet parking and 10 to 20 percent off some spa treatments, through Sept. 30. 305-913- 8288; www.mandarinoriental.com. Parking $32 per day.
• FOUR SEASONS, MIAMI: There's something indescribably fabulous about lying at the skydeck pool here and looking up at the surrounding skyscrapers. Perhaps it's the feeling of guilty pleasure; while the offices are filled with workers, you're at play. The waterwalls, palm garden, spa and lounge seating at the outdoor bar don't hurt a bit. 305-381-3381; www.fourseasons.com/miami.
Details: Stay three nights and pay $225 per night; stay two nights and pay $250. Parking $28-$33 per day.
• FORT LAUDERDALE GRANDE: You may wonder why we'd recommend a getaway at a hotel whose main job is to service a convention center (the Fort Lauderdale center is across the street), but then you haven't been to the Fort Lauderdale Grande (the old Marriott Marina) since its renovation. The place is now comfortably hip, with a China Grill restaurant, yet it retains much of what was always good about it: A terrific waterside location, marina on one side and Intracoastal on the other, with outdoor bar and outdoor dining space.
Details: Summer rates start at $99. www.fortlauderdalegrande.com; 954-463- 4000. Parking $19-$23.
BEACH VALUES
Yes that beach -- the one with sand and palm trees.
• COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT MIAMI BEACH: The Courtyard isn't the cheapest place around -- but if you're looking for a beachfront location and a pool, it may be the best value. The former Cadillac has been smartly freshened, so while the Deco touches are still in place -- terrazzo floors, intricate railings in the two-story lobby -- the rooms are comfortable and contemporary. Of course, they are small -- hey, it's a historic hotel -- but here's the tip: those with city views are bigger than those on the oceanfront. And while it's close to the action, the hotel's 39th Street location means it's out of the hullabaloo.
Details: Rates start at $125 per night; the breakfast buffet costs $9.95 per person; ask about packages. 305-538-3373; www.courtyardmiamibeach.com. Parking $25 per day.
• WRIGHT BY THE SEA, DELRAY BEACH: Old Florida ease lives on at this family-friendly inn by the sea, a prettily refurbished '50s motel-style complex set in a courtyard circling a generous pool. Cabanas on the beach are complimentary, and units include either a kitchen or kitchenette, which makes it a good choice for families. The inn lies a couple miles south of downtown Delray Beach.
Details: Studios from $125 through Oct. 31; free parking. www.wbtsea.com; 561-278- 3355 or 877-234-3355.
VEGAS ATTITUDE
No place is closer to Vegas, attitudinally speaking, than Hollywood's Hard Rock Hotel. Sure, there are slots, poker and shops and dozens of eateries where you can drown your sorrows or drop your winnings, depending on your luck. The sprawling pool includes a slide and waterfalls, and of course there's all that rock-n-roll-abilia, like Isaac Hayes' green velvet suit and the Fender Stratocaster played by Rick Springfield in his music video of Jessie's Girl.
Details: Alas, Vegas doesn't come cheap: Most nights, rooms run $239 (though a few $139 and $179 rates do pop up). www.seminolehardrock.com; 866-502- 7529. Parking $7-$12.
The Miccosukee Resort in west Dade has a better deal: $89 per night for Florida residents through Aug. 31. www.miccosukeeresort.com; 877-242-6464. Free self parking, $3 for valet service.
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