The 100 Best Affordable Vacations (64 page)

Convenient and wallet-friendly lodgings include
Villa Paradiso
(1415 Collins Ave., 305-532-0616,
www.villaparadisohotel.com
, rooms from $119), a historic South Beach apartment complex turned guesthouse two blocks from the sea, and Key Biscayne’s
Silver Sands Resort
(301 Ocean Dr., 305-361-5441,
www.silversandsbeachresort.net
, rooms from $129), directly on the beach in tranquil-yet-urban Key Biscayne.
[$
PLURGE
: For a splurge, go for the urban scene overlooking the city and river at the
Epic Hotel
(270 Biscayne Blvd. Way, 305-424-5226,
www.epichotel.com
, rooms from $300) in downtown or the first-rate
Mandarin Oriental
(500 Brickell Key Dr., 305-913-8288,
www.mandarinoriental.com/miami
, rooms from $350) on an urban island linked to downtown.]

Miami is a car town, which means that unless you’re going to locations on the limited people mover/Metrorail link, you’ll need to travel by taxi or car.

Miami is also a food town with endless options to choose from. Two establishments worth the price are
Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink
(130 N.E. 40th St., 305-573-5550) in the Design District, by award-winning chef Michael Schwartz, where the food is fresh and inventive but not fussy; and
Michy’s
(6927 Biscayne Blvd., 305-759-2001), with American fare from award-winner Michelle Bernstein, on the burgeoning stretch of north Biscayne Boulevard between 50th and 79th Streets. For fun and cheap food, hit
Versailles
(3555 S.W. 8th St., 305-444-0240), a Cuban icon in Little Havana.

HOW TO GET IN TOUCH

Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Center,
305-539-3000,
www.miamiandbeaches.com
.

CITY SLEEPS ON THE CHEAP

Lodgings in big cities are notoriously expensive. These tips will help you find the best deals:

 Check with business hotels that, midweek, are expensive. On weekends they may have empty rooms—especially when there’s no convention in town.

 Consider traveling just before or after a major holiday, when prices often plummet.

 Consider all costs—valet parking, taxes, resort fees, service fees, and more—to determine the true cost of your stay. In a big city, free breakfast can add up to a big bonus.

 If you’re considering an upscale brand, compare the cost of staying on the Club floor, and find out what is included if you do. If the Club floor comes with cocktails, heavy hors d’oeuvres, and breakfast and costs only a little more than a regular room, it may be worth the rate.

 Consider short-term apartments for rent (see sidebar p. 61).

 In some big cities, an increasing number of hotels are offering bargain rooms with shared bath.

 If you collect hotel points, see how far they can take you. Points collected at value-oriented hotels in relatively inexpensive destinations can land you a free, well-located room in a major city in the United States or Europe.

 Discount hotel websites: It’s always worth checking “blind” websites like Hotwire and Priceline, as well as regular online sites like Hotels.com, Quikbook, Expedia, Orbitz, and Travelocity. Check cancellation policies and fees before you book.

Here’s how to ask for a better rate without feeling like a chump:

 Look first online to see the best available rate for the time you want to visit. Many hotels offer Web-only rates.

 If you’re an AAA or AARP member, check those rates online. Don’t assume you’ll find them if you click “Best Available Rate.”

 Call the hotel directly, not the 800-number. Ask if there are any specials or discounts available.