Miami Beach

Hello,
In my quest to find somewhere Caribbean I'm looking at my flight options and places to stay.  I've found a really good fare to Miami around the time I want to fly (early April) and wanted to ask all you Floridians or those who've been to Miami about Miami Beach/South Beach.

I was looking on Trip Advisor and they seem to have 3 hotel areas: Miami Beach, South Beach and North Miami Beach/Sunny Isles.
Anyone know the difference in these areas?  Are the beaches better in one place or the other?  Is there a lot of hustle and bustle and crazy nightlife in one part and quieter in another?  Is one of these super luxurious expensive, any areas that are run down and not worth going to?

Thanks!
Matt

If you're looking for nightlife, stay on South Beach.  Nothing above about 16th street.

Baby woke up.  More tomorrow.

I found this place called Hotel Nash that seems to be highly recommended on TripAdvisor, I think it was like the #15 hotel recommended on Miami beach or something.  Anyway, it's at 1120 Collins Ave which looks like roundabout 11 St., Art Deco place right by the beach, I think.
http://www.hotelnash.com/
We're not party all night types, we'll probably enjoy the beaches in the sun more but don't mind being near some of the hustle and bustle.  Not sure if this would be right in the thick of it or not.
Looks reasonable at £97/night.  A lot of places seem to be upwards of £200 or more a night but I guess that's to be assumed in such a hot spot.

Good thing is, Bahama Air flies right out of Miami airport, too.

11th and Collins is definitely in the thick of it.  Don't expect to sleep on a weekend until after 3am at the earliest-most places don't close until 5.

Make sure to have a drink at the Deuce when you're there-that used to be "my" bar.

Oh, yeah.  That's absolutely in the thick of it.  I don't remember what that place used to be called but I know the building.

Collins is actually one block over from the beach.  You have Ocean Drive, which is the beach.  Then Collins, then Washington...then no more North/South roads for several blocks.

If you want to be on the beach (North Miami Beach/Sunny Isles, btw, is the mainland-there is beach, but it's not as nice.  N Miami Beach is actually a kind of crappy place in general, and not the safest either) you could go further north if you want to avoid some of the noise.  There's some good places in the 30s-my brother and SIL both used to work at the Miami Beach Ocean Resort (I worked there too for a while) which is, if memory serves, at Collins and 32nd.  Close enough to South Beach that it's fairly convenient, but far enough it's quieter.   The big drawbacks are getting gouged by cabbies or having to walk-it's not the safest walk to make at night.  But the hotels further north have private beaches, which the SoBe ones don't.

Have you considered Ft. Lauderdale?  It's only an hour north and has some nice nightlife too, and I personally think the beach there is much nicer.

I'm not quite sure what kind of trip you're planning, so let me know and I can tell you more.  I know some other places you might like to go, too.

North Miami Beach sounds a bit grim from the sounds of it, I wouldn't want to worry too much about walking around at night.  We're actually going to be in the Bahamas before we get back to Miami so we'd be flying into the International airport.  Being on Miami Beach/South Beach has the advantages of being in the thick of it without having to catch cabs too far as you say.  We don't plan to have a hire car so being on or within easy walking distance of the beach is ideal.
Also, we'd be checking in Monday, April 10 until Thursday April 13 so no weekend craziness.  Perhaps the weeknights will be a little quieter?

(HIJACK)

Matt, when you're in the Bahamas, make sure you go to Fish Fry (at Arawak Cay). If you've been to the Bahamas before, you'll know about it. If not, just ask any local to direct you. Most tourists don't go there -- when my friend and I went, we were the only non-locals. Belly up to a bar, order some conch salad and a big styrofoam cup of sky-juice and you'll have the makings of a very happy night!

(HIJACK OVER)

We'll be staying at Columbus Isle Club Med on San Salvador island.  Do you know which island Arawak Cay is on?
This is an all-inclusive resort so I dare say we'll be fed to the gills there!  I hear the beaches are some of the best in the entire Caribbean there.  Should be nice and warm as well which I'm really looking forward to.

We'll be staying at Columbus Isle Club Med on San Salvador island.  Do you know which island Arawak Cay is on?
This is an all-inclusive resort so I dare say we'll be fed to the gills there!  I hear the beaches are some of the best in the entire Caribbean there.  Should be nice and warm as well which I'm really looking forward to.

Arawak Cay is outside Nassau on New Providence Island (the main island). I'm sure you'll be fed very well at Club Med, but I think it really is worth a trip to get out of the whole resort-world and see what real Bahamians do on a Saturday night!

I agree, Belindaloo, that's why I'm interested in what excursions they have.  All I can see on the website is an Island tour and a boat tour.  I'll have to find out if they sail to the other islands.

I know this place is 1 hour by plane from Nassau so I don't think we'll get that close to there except for the quick stopover on the way to Miami.

I know this place is 1 hour by plane from Nassau so I don't think we'll get that close to there except for the quick stopover on the way to Miami.

You're right. That's much too far. Well ... you'll just have to plan a future holiday!