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Miami

What isn't to love about Miami Beach?

  • by Patti Ann Marie
  • An April 2003 travel journal
  • Last Updated: March 6, 2004
Journal Usefulness Rating 3 out of 5
Journal Usefulness
3
Reviews

This Resort of International Distinction is upscale and newly renovated, with an Olympic-size pool, white sandy beach, complimentary lounges with umbrellas, and fabulous Italian restaurant on the premises! It's across the street from groceries and other restaurants. It's close to South Beach, Hollywood Beach, and Fort Lauderdale!

Golden Strand Ocean Villa Resort

Best Things Nearby:
Shopping, variety of beaches (including one clothing optional beach and park (Haulover), Hollywood Beach, South Beach, and Fort Lauderdale Beach), boat taxi, and an excellent variety of restaurants.

Best Things About the Resort:
Olympic-size pool, white sandy private beach with chaise lounges and umbrellas at no cost to visitors, excellent Italian restaurant on premises, library, fitness room with toning machine, weight bench, two treadmills, exercise bicycles, bottled water, towels, internet access, Thursday evening party, within walking distance to grocery store, and newly renovated.

Resort Experience:
This is a beautiful, newly renovated condo resort that has been upgraded from Gold Crown status to Resort of International Distinction. There’s a top-class Italian restaurant on the premises. The pool staff supplies you with lounge chairs, umbrellas, and towels at no cost. It’s close to fun in South Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Hollywood Beach. The whole Collins Ave has been renovated and it’s a very safe area to walk for miles.

There is a comfortable bed with a pull out couch in the studios which easily sleeps four. Dining room table with full kitchen and all the appliances, dishes, pots, pans, blender, toaster, wine glasses, ice bucket, hair dryer, soaps, dish soaps, microwave, balcony, air conditioning, elevators, television in English and French, movie channels, safes in room, grocery store across the street with carts to go back and forth. Lots of restaurants!

  • Unit Type: Studio
  • Activities: Excellent
  • Amenities: Excellent
  • Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
  • Family Friendliness: Excellent
  • Service: Excellent
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by Patti Ann Marie on February 29, 2004

Golden Strand Ocean Villa Resort
17901 Collins Ave. Miami, Florida 33160
(305) 931-7000

La Vita E ' Bella

Restaurant

La Vita E Bella at the Golden Strand Ocean Resort

This place offers outdoor and indoor dining. There's usually music playing. They have very authentic Italian cuisine with valet parking. There's eating, dancing, and drinking directly on the ocean -- very romantic. They provided excellent service! English is spoken and the restaurant is located between two Trump highrises. Very friendly atmosphere and it is not uncommon to receive a free appetizer, possibly a desert, and sometimes an Italian liqueur. There's a special menu on Thursdays including a three-course package. You can choose from Italian meats, vegetarian, Italian cuisine, veal, poultry, pasta, breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by Patti Ann Marie on February 29, 2004

La Vita E ' Bella
17901 Collins Ave Miami, Florida 33160
(305) 931-2229

Haulover Beach and Park

This is a beautiful stretch of beach with white fluffy sand. Weekends bring picnic lovers. Weekdays are extremely quiet for privacy seekers. The center of beach is designated as clothing optional. The surf is very quiet and lifeguards are plentiful. The are plenty of clean bathrooms, outdoor showers, water fountains, and grill areas. The asphalt is great for activities and is far away from the busy roadways. There are exercise stations in the park. It’s a very safe area for walking.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by Patti Ann Marie on March 6, 2004

Haulover Park Marina
10800 Collins Ave Miami Beach, Florida 33154
+1 305 947 3525

About the Writer

Patti Ann Marie
Patti Ann Marie
Winneconne, United States

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