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Miami Journals

Miami, it lives day and night!

A May 2004 trip to Miami by Dutchnatasja

Beach at Sonesta Resort Photo - Sonesta Beach Resort Key Biscayne, Key Biscayne, Florida More Photos
Quote: Miami Beach, I love it! Take a walk along Ocean Drive for the best view of sidewalk cafes, colourful hotels, and even more colourful people. Taste the incredible atmosphere, go to the beach, relax, and come to live at night in one of the many trendy cafes and bars.
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Sonesta Beach Resort Key Biscayne Best of IgoUgo

Hotel

Beach at Sonesta Resort Photo - Sonesta Beach Resort Key Biscayne, Key Biscayne, Florida
Quote:
This was our third visit to the Sonesta Resort in Key Biscayne. We had a nicely renovated, very comfortable, and clean room. Each guest room offers an ocean or island/bay view and has a private balcony. It’s too bad that the bathroom isn’t renovated, but I have to say that the bathroom is clean and very large.THE POOL AREA:The Sonesta has an outdoor, heated Olympic-style pool. Two whirlpools overlooking the beach are located on the pool deck. Towels are provided by the resort. THE BEACH:This resort has a great, quiet, beautiful, and clean beach with palm trees and hammocks. It is like a Chickee village on the beach. There is a nice restaurant called the Snackerie where you can ...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on April 4, 2005

Sonesta Beach Resort Key Biscayne
350 Ocean Drive.
Key Biscayne 33149
305-361-2021

Beach Plaza Hotel Best of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Beach Plaza Hotel South Beach"

Quote:
You can walk easily to Washington Avenue, Lincoln Road and Ocean Drive.

A few years ago we’ve stayed in the Beach Plaza. The rooms were not renovated at that time. I’ve read that the hotel is renovated. Maybe it’s better now. I prefer other hotels now, but then we were on a budget so we didn’t care how the room was. It is in the heart of South Beach. The hotels has is no pool, but hey, you are a block from the beach and all that South Beach has to offer! Who needs a pool?

This hotel has a good location, but not much else going for it.
If you are on a budget than this is perfect for you, otherwise don’t stay here.


Member Rating 3 out of 5 on March 21, 2006

Beach Plaza Hotel
1401 Collins Ave.
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
(305) 531-6421

Howard Johnson Plaza Dezerland Beach & Spa Best of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Dezerland Beach Hotel & Spa"

Quote:
It’s been a while when we’ve visited the Dezerland Hotel. I can’t remember much of it, so I don’t now if that is a good sign or not.  Anyway, it’s renovated, re-designed and upgraded not so long ago and the hotel has now a spa facility. The hotel is located one mile south of Bal Harbour. If you like to step back into the rock 'n' roll era and enjoy the 1950s and 1960s theme, than this is the place for you. For me one visit was enough.

Member Rating 2 out of 5 on March 21, 2006

Howard Johnson Plaza Dezerland Beach & Spa
8701 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach 33154
(305) 865-6661

News Cafe South Beach Best of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "News Cafe"

Quote:
"Here in Miami, I've finally found what I was looking for: the center of my circle. I want to stay here and live out my time... forever." - Gianni VersaceConveniently located in the heart of the Miami Beach on Ocean Drive, News Cafe is popular with tourists from all over world. This café/newsstand/bookstore was also a favourite of Gianni Versace. The News Cafe was the last place Versace went before he was murdered on July 15, 1997. I have no idea how popular the café was before the death of Versace, but I think the News Café is now famous for being the place where Gianni Versace had his last breakfast. The way the News Cafe is set up, you can sit back and relax, feel the ...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on April 4, 2005

News Cafe South Beach
800 Ocean Dr
Miami, Florida 33139
(305) 538-6397

Rusty Pelican Best of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Quote:
It has a nice atmosphere and the food is good. It has American and continental cuisine. I’ve been there a few times, and the view is always fantastic. Many locals and a few tourists come to this place. Many people stay in the area of Ocean Drive, and they also eat in that area. If you have a car, drive to the Rusty Pelican and experience a fine dinner and a view of Key Biscayne and downtown Miami from your table. After your meal, walk outside on their dock and enjoy their incredible view. You couldn’t ask for more.SPECIAL FEATURES:View, Family Style, Outdoor Dining, Romantic Dining, Waterfront Dining, Special Occasion Dining, and BrunchHOURS: Sun-Thu 11:...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on April 4, 2005

Rusty Pelican
3201 Rickenbacker Causeway
Miami, Florida 33149
(305) 361-3818

Cafe Med Best of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Café Med at CocoWalk"

Quote:
This casual bistro is located in the center of all of Grove activity in Cocowalk. Cafe Med is an outdoor cafe, restaurant, and bar that provides the focal point of the CocoWalk courtyard. If you can stand the wait and the noise, you'll be rewarded with good food. The restaurant serves sandwiches, salads, pizzas, and pasta. They have a Mediterranean-influenced menu. Favorite Dish:Bruschetta, Paella, and not to forget the Sangria. It was delicious!One negative thing was the slow service.If you can't find Café Med, look for the movie theaters, it's situated right underneath it.Hours:Daily 11:00am-12:00mServing:Lunch, Dinn...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on March 20, 2006

Cafe Med
3015 Grand Ave.
Miami, Florida 33133
(305) 443-1770

Bal Harbour Shops Best of IgoUgo

Attraction

Quote:
Bal Harbour Shops has beautiful outdoor gardens; fountains; art; and very high-end shopping, cafés, and restaurants. It is nice to walk around in this mall because everything looks very beautiful. There are world-class designer boutiques, including Hermes, Cartier, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Armani, Gucci, Versace, Tiffany, and Van Cleef & Arpels. Don’t look for anything as common as a kid’s playground or a food court. This place is way too chic for that. I, personally, like this place very much because of the beauty of this place and the brands they sell. If you want to spend money, well, you are at the right place. Have fun! OPENING HOURS: Monday to Saturday 10am to 9pm Sun...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on April 4, 2005

Bal Harbour Shops
9700 Collins Ave
Bal Harbour, Florida 33154
+1 305 866 0311

Bayside Marketplace Best of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Bayside Market Place"

Quote:
SHOPS: This semi-outdoor mall has many chain stores like Banana Republic, Gap, Victoria's Secret, and the Disney store, many tourist T-shirt and souvenir shops, and lots of local boutiques. Bayside is in a very nice setting on the waterfront. RESTAURANTS: There are many restaurants where you can eat and enjoy a beautiful waterfront view of Biscayne Bay. From Italian to Cuban, seafood to steaks, it’s hard to choose. You can have a fruity tropical drink from a stand in the centre of the water-facing side of the market. Relax and enjoy, then do some shopping. It’s a great way to spend your afternoon. A whole day is something too much for me. I had seen it all in about 2...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on April 4, 2005

Bayside Marketplace
Fourth and Biscayne Blvd
Miami, Florida 33133
(305) 577-3344

Clevelander Best of IgoUgo

Attraction | "The Clevelander"

One o the five bars at The Clevelander Photo - Clevelander, Miami, Florida
Quote:
The Clevelander means good food, drinks and a lot of beautiful people. The Clevelander is an outdoor cafe, and located in the heart of Ocean Drive. The Clevelander has five poolside bars. I love this place. It's a great location to watch people, to enjoy the (live) music, and to drink some cocktails.Clevelander is a great spot for a night out and to have a good time.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on April 11, 2006

Clevelander
1020 Ocean Drive
Miami, Florida 33139
(786) 276-1414

The Colors of the City Best of IgoUgo

Story/Tip

Yellow Photo - Miami, Florida
Quote:
I love the colors of Miami. They are so varied and bright in all kinds of way, wherever you look. Look at the picture and you know what I mean. All those colors; it makes me happy. The cars, the beach guard house and the buildings are all colorful.I understand why so many photo shoots are taking place in Miami. What more do you need. Perfect light (the sun), the sea, and the beach, all on a colorful background.

About the Writer

Dutchnatasja

Dutchnatasja
Great Falls, Virginia

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