South Beach Vacation Rentals - South Beach Holiday Rentals Prices aside, there are many reasons why South Beach vacation rentals completely surpass hotels in regards to customer expectations. South Beach holiday rentals are more of an entire experience. In South Beach vacation rentals, you can be as secluded as you wish to be or not secluded at [...] [...more]
South Beach Vacation Rentals - South Beach Holiday Rentals
Prices aside, there are many reasons why South Beach vacation rentals completely surpass hotels in regards to customer expectations. South Beach holiday rentals are more of an entire experience.
Provence Villa in Miami
In South Beach vacation rentals, you can be as secluded as you wish to be or not secluded at all. South Beach vacation rentals are not just a place to go to sleep. They are designed to make you feel as comfortable as you feel at home with plenty of resources at your disposal including internet access and a full-size kitchen. In South Beach holiday rentals you:
• Will often have a bicycle included in your rental
• Have more privacy
• Have a more private pool
• Have the option to save some money when you prepare your favorite meal at home
• Have the concierge to:
South Florida has recently gone on a building binge that gives travelers more options than ever. This isn’t a good situation for hoteliers since the economy already negatively affects sales and now hotels must offer rooms at lower prices in order to compete. As for travelers, this means fancy hotels that you only dreamed of [...] [...more]
South Florida has recently gone on a building binge that gives travelers more options than ever. This isn’t a good situation for hoteliers since the economy already negatively affects sales and now hotels must offer rooms at lower prices in order to compete. As for travelers, this means fancy hotels that you only dreamed of at affordable rates. More and more Floridians are vacationing in or near their hometowns for an exclusive, chic getaway.
Some of the new or recently renovated hotels offering deals are:
Casa Marina, Key West
Henry Flagler’s 1920s hotel underwent a $43 million renovation that added a contemporary style, a new pool area and updates to the 311 rooms. This full-scale resort includes a beach. Aside from standard rooms, Casa Marina also offers loft suites and rooms with rooftop balconies with ocean views. For more information, call 888-303-5717 or visit casamarinaresort.com.
Deal: Summer rates start at $149.
Canyon Ranch, Miami Beach
The 1950s Carillon Hotel was gutted and revamped into this beachfront version of Arizona’s famous medical resort. The resort’s focal point is the 70,000 square foot spa with medical offices, high tech equipments such as a body scanner and Chinese medicine experts. The exercise machines in the fitness center upload the customized workout program detailed in your room key. The 150-room hotel differs from its Arizona counterpart in that it serves alcohol. Because it is a condo-hotel, the units are more spacious and come with a kitchen and state-of-the-art appliances. For more information, call 305-514-7000 or visit canyonranch.com.
Deal: Stay two nights before September 30th and get the third night free. Introductory rates start at $250.
Eden Roc, Miami Beach
Eden Roc underwent a $180 million renovation which updated rooms in the existing hotel and added nearly 300 rooms in a new tower. An infinity pool was added and the lobby was redone. For more information, call 305-531-000 or visit boldnewedenroc.com
Deal: Book two nights and get a third one free by using code B4F. Rates start at $239.
Clevelander, Miami Beach
The Clevelander has a reputation as the ultimate party hotel. Recently, it got a $40 million renovation. The lobby was returned to original Art Deco style and an extra poll-deck bar was added. The new roof-top deck is a must-see. Most of the hotel’s 70 rooms were redone but the Rock Star suites offer the most with more space and nicer amenities. Bathrooms were updated with glass-walled shower and oversized shower heads. For more information, call 877-532-5006 or visit Clevelander.com.
Deal: Rooms start at $179.
Il Lugano, Fort Lauderdale
This 105-room hotel opened in January 2008 but recently upgraded its already contemporary lobby. The tower also features 26 additional condos on separate floors. All units are either one or two-bedroom suites with kitchens, water views and state-of-the-art appliances. For more information, call 954-226-5002 or visit illugano.com.
Deal: Florida residents booking the Home Suite Home package between June 1st and September 30th get a double for $149 per night as well as valet parking and continental breakfast for two. Use promo code PROFOD.
Fontainebleau, Miami Beach
This classic hotel recently reopened after a $500 million renovation. The stylish hotel has hot bars and nightclubs and an enormous pool. There are waterslides for the kids and an adults-only hideaway where women can go topless. The units in the condo-hotel tower are large and many have separate bedrooms and kitchens. The rooms in the original building were renovated as well. The hotel also has 3 restaurants headed by nationally-renowned chefs. For more information, call 305-538-2000 or visit fontainebleauresorts.com.
Deal: Summer rates start at $299 ($249 for weekdays). Midweek prices for Florida residents can drop down to $199. Also, get free valet parking.
Mondrian, Miami Beach
The Mondrian on West Avenue was recently renovated with a post-minimalist style and lots of black and white. The 335-condo-hotel-unit building faces downtown Miami across Biscayne Bay. There is a vending machine where you can purchase a $68,000 Corvette as well as other extravagant impulses. For more information, call 305-672-2662 or visit mondriansouthbeach.com.
Deal: Get a free poolside cabana, bottle of champagne, an upgrade to the next level room and 25% off spa treatments any time in 2009. Book online and use promo code PKMOFN. Rates start at $345.
Epic Hotel, Downtown Miami
This 411-room hotel sits on the Miami River and boasts a popular Area 31 seafood restaurant. The hotel overlooks Brickell Avenue. The bathrooms are the highlight of the renovation with bathtubs divided from the rest of the area by a shutter. The balconies overlook either the river or downtown. For more information, call 305-400-7399 or visit epichotel.com.
Deal: Florida residents get 20% off during the summer. Use promo code FSR. Rates start at $289.
Westin, Fort Lauderdale
This 433-unit hotel underwent a $65 million renovation. The pool was redone with a stone waterfall and the unit bathrooms are very impressive. For more information, call 954-467-1111 or visit westin.com/fortlauderdalebeach.
Deal: Rates start at $134 if you pay 21 days in advance. Buy three nights and get a fourth one free.
Viceroy, Downtown Miami
The Related Group brought this lush boutique hotel to Miami at the mouth of the Miami River. The 53rd floor of this urban hotel holds the rooftop pool deck and lounge. There is an enormous pool on the 10th floor for residents. The rooms were decorated with an Asian style. The hotel has a very chic club and views of the skyline. For more information, call 305-503-4400 or visit viceroymiami.com.
Deal: Florida residents get free valet parking, continental breakfast and a two hour rental for a Vespa scooter when they stay before September 30th. Stay at least two nights and get a $50 credit for hotel restaurants. Rates start at $255.
W South Beach, Miami Beach
The new pricey condo-hotel resort features 511 condo-hotel units. The hotel is schedule to open on June 2nd and the rooms are likely to be the best rooms on South Beach. The units will be large and will have kitchens. For more information, call 305-938-3000 or visit starwoodhotels.com.
Deal: Florida residents get 20% off and free parking this summer. Rates start at $369.
W Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale
This 517-unit resort is easily the boldest of Fort Lauderdale hotels. It bring South Beach chic to a more affordable location. The pool on the third floor has clear walls making it more like a human aquarium as you can see in the water from the stairs. The showers are separated from the rest of the room with a glass wall so you can see everything. Standard rooms are a decent size but if you upgrade to a suite for a little extra, most have balconies large enough for a cocktail party. A delicious restaurant, Steak 954, is located in the hotel. For more information, call 954-414-8200 or visit starwoodhotels.com.
Deal: Florida residents off during all of 2009. Summer rates start at $179.
St Petersburg and Clearwater are located on a superb peninsula of the west coast of Florida where the white-sand beaches are pristine and clear. Every year, beaches in Florida receive awards and ranked as the nicest beaches in America. This part of Florida offers some of the nicest beaches in America. The Caladesi Beach in [...] [...more]
St Petersburg and Clearwater are located on a superb peninsula of the west coast of Florida where the white-sand beaches are pristine and clear. Every year, beaches in Florida receive awards and ranked as the nicest beaches in America. This part of Florida offers some of the nicest beaches in America. The Caladesi Beach in the Tampa Bay area was voted # 1 Beach in America by TripAdvisor in 2008 and The Fort de Soto Park, also in the Tampa Bay area, was voted the #1 Beach by TripAdvisor in America in 2005. This area has 35 miles of white, sandy, clear-water beaches and incredible sunsets. Visitors in Florida searching the guide of Florida for a beach vacation should definitely include St Petersburg and Clearwater in their itinerary.
According to the Travel Channel and our guide of Florida, the top ten beaches in Florida are as follows:
1. South Beach, Miami
2. Siesta Key Beach
3. Palm Beach
4. Lovers Key Beach
5. Clearwater Beach
6. Smathers Beach, Key West
7. Sanspur Beach, Bahia Honda State Park
8. Panama City Beach
9. Sanibel Island
10. Daytona Beach
We are in crisis but the situation results in gains in some areas. As a result of our current economical situation, travelers are at an advantage and can find better deals than ever. Accommodations such as vacation rentals and hotel rooms and transportation such as airfare and car rentals have stooped to ultra competitive prices and offer [...] [...more]
We are in crisis but the situation results in gains in some areas.
As a result of our current economical situation, travelers are at an advantage and can find better deals than ever.
Accommodations such as vacation rentals and hotel rooms and transportation such as airfare and car rentals have stooped to ultra competitive prices and offer outrageous deals in order to survive these hard times.
Savvy travelers can save a lot of money with a bit of research. The luxury travel sector of the industry is feeling the effects of the economy even more than regular travel.
Occupancy rates for luxury hotels have declined 9% while regular hotel rates have dropped 7%. Search the internet and call hotels, vacation rentals and airline companies to get great deals.
Discounts of up to 50% off are not uncommon anymore - even during high season. Smart travelers can find discounts in hotels in New York, hotels in Miami and vacation rentals in Miami even during holiday seasons that get booked to full occupancy.
Photo of a luxury vacation rental loft in South Beach.
The Illona Vacation Rental in South Beach Picture.
Hotels and museum-quality art are being combined more and more these days. The idea behind the mix is that unique, original art pieces really set one hotel apart from the others. It leaves guests with a powerful visual memory that is associated with their experience in that particular destination. The Museum hotels choose decorative artworks [...] [...more]
Hotels and museum-quality art are being combined more and more these days. The idea behind the mix is that unique, original art pieces really set one hotel apart from the others. It leaves guests with a powerful visual memory that is associated with their experience in that particular destination. The Museum hotels choose decorative artworks influenced by the destination’s local flavor. After all, tourists are visiting to see that place in particular and to experience something different than what they are used to at home. Some of the Museum hotels with unique art pieces are:
Chicago, Illinois: Blackstone Hotel
Two large plasma TVs at the entrance feature a video collage of city scenes taken from the rooftop camera.
Tacoma, Washington: Hotel Murano
Complex, hand-blown glass formations in the hallway
Portland, Oregon: The Nines
A 30-foot glass, LEDs and steel chandelier hangs over the eighth floor grand stairway
Salamanca, Spain: Petit Palace Art Gallery Hotel
A shiny cow in the lobby.
Of course, Miami has some hotels that contribute to this artistic movement.
South Beach, Florida: Fontainebleau Resort
Venus Bleue sculptures by Yves Klein and light installations by James Turrell
South Beach, Florida: The Sagamore
Over 500 art pieces by more than 50 artists including Yoko Ono