Weekend in South Beach

I researched many South Beach "boutique" hotels before selecting this one for a quick weekend one-night getaway. I found that most so-called renovations usually comprised a coat of paint, some cheap new bathroom fixtures, and a trendy-looking lobby. Getting a better quality hotel experience meant jumping into a significantly higher price category. Since we were staying for one night for a weekend jaunt, I wanted inexpensive but cute. The South Beach Plaza Hotel really fit the bill.

The chic lobby and friendly staff were a welcome first impression. Rich wine red was a theme there as well as in the rooms. We had made reservations at the partner South Beach Plaza Villas, but because they had vacancy, they booked us in the nicer and larger rooms on the Plaza Hotel side for the same price.

Many of the other "renovated" boutique hotels had depressing hallways that made them look like they still were tenement buildings. The SB Plaza had a tropical motif going on that was bright, charming, and really worked.

There was a hidden garden between the two buildings, with lounges and sand brought in to imitate a beach. Fabric umbrella tables were nestled amid the tropical trees and plants. I think they only served breakfast, since it seemed that no one was there in the evening, despite the romantic setting.

Our room was a standard king on the 3rd floor, with wine red walls and pleasantly modern bedding and furniture. The bathroom was very small and the sink miniscule, although all the fixtures and cabinets were brand new. You had to kind of duck way under the cabinet to hold your head above the tiny sink while brushing your teeth, and mop up what spilled on the floor with an extra towel. Otherwise, everything worked fine and was functional. Our view was of the garden, where tall tropical trees reached up to our window for our privacy. And you could open the window to get the cool breezes -- a nice change from those institutional chain hotels.

Cute, comfy, and inexpensive -- perfect for a short stay to enjoy the pleasures of SoBe.

Skip the touristy and pricier restaurants on Ocean Drive that try to get you in the door with the promise of "half-price" entrees and try an authentically good place to eat.

One of Gloria Estafan's SoBe restaurants, Larios serves up reasonably priced Cuban food. Try the appetizer "pu-pu platter" for two, which has a great volume and variety of tasty Cuban favorites. We had meant to stop only for a snack, but were full enough to call it dinner.

You can eat outside al fresco on the street and watch the crowd go by, or inside at the fab bar and watch live music. Either way, try the mojitos -- yummy!

In a word: fabulous. This young orchestra (young meaning no member was over 28) is always a pleasure to watch, and its conductor as eloquent as he is innovative.

Right on the trendy Lincoln Road strip, if you drive, you can park in the public garage right behind the Lincoln Theatre. Restaurants (many alfresco) are plentiful along this strip to enjoy either pre- or post- performance.

Tickets can be obtained online or at the box office. Get there 1 hour early to try to get "rush" seats--you may score $100 seats for a mere $20.