Sunny Florida 2008

Courtyard by Marriott Miami Beach Oceanfront

Hotel

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We were in Orlando, when we checked the internet for a hotel in Miami. Many hotels were sold out or were really too expensive. Eventually we came at the Courtyard by Marriott Miami Beach Oceanfront. The website gave us a good impression of the hotel and also the reviews on Tripadvisor were positive. The hotel is on Tripadvisor number 10 (of 196) in Miami Beach. We’ve stayed at the Courtyard from Wednesday May 14th till Saturday May 17th . The price was $151 per night. We had a room on the street side. For those three nights I did not need the luxury of a balcony and with ocean view. I exchange my balcony rather in for an evening at Ocean Drive. Go and have fun in Miami. It isn’t the place to stay at ...Read More

We were in Orlando, when we checked the internet for a hotel in Miami. Many hotels were sold out or were really too expensive. Eventually we came at the Courtyard by Marriott Miami Beach Oceanfront. The website gave us a good impression of the hotel and also the reviews on Tripadvisor were positive. The hotel is on Tripadvisor number 10 (of 196) in Miami Beach. We’ve stayed at the Courtyard from Wednesday May 14th till Saturday May 17th . The price was $151 per night. We had a room on the street side. For those three nights I did not need the luxury of a balcony and with ocean view. I exchange my balcony rather in for an evening at Ocean Drive. Go and have fun in Miami. It isn’t the place to stay at your room.

Our room was a little bit tiny (New York sizes). I think because of the price and the fact that we have chosen at the last moment for this hotel (many rooms were sold out). The room had everything what we needed; a flat screen TV, a large bathroom (almost exactly as large as the chamber), a good bed etc. We’ve used the valet parking ($25). The space in front of the hotel to deliver your car for valet parking, was what on the tight side. It was many times crowded with cars. The hotel has a beautiful (compact) swimming pool with beach chairs and umbrellas. Towels is ensured. There is a garden with hammocks, palm trees and beach chairs. Just great spot to relax. By day the Tikibar is opened for lunch, cocktails and late afternoon snacks. Behind the boardwalk is an access to the beach. At the beach the hotel provides beach chairs, umbrellas and towels.

The location was good, but we did take the car to Ocean Drive and parked it in one of the garages. We never have a problem to park our car. You seem be able to walk it also. One person say it’s 10 minutes, the other one says 20 minutes. I really didn’t find it a good idea to walk, because of my high heels. The only negative of this hotel were that we had wait very long for our suitcases. Those would brought up by a bell boy, but after three quarters wait (if it already was no longer) my boyfriend went down to get the car with our stuff. This can be more rapidly, because it wasn’t that busy when we arrived.

In my opinion it’s fine hotel with a pleasant staff. That expressed itself for example that they always wish you a good day/afternoon or goodnight when they keep the door open when you enter the hotel. Also at the reception we were well received and the staff was very friendly.

What about the future? We think it’s great to try different hotels in Miami (not the same every year), but if we have to go to this hotel again, than it’s fine by me. I dare advise the Courtyard Miami beach Oceanfront certainly at family and friends.
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Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 12, 2008

Courtyard by Marriott Miami Beach Oceanfront
3925 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach 33140
(305) 538-3373

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Doubletree Hotel by Hilton at the Entrance to Universal Orlando

Hotel | "Doubletree at the Entrance to Universal "

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This is a 4-star hotel and a enjoyable hotel! The hotel is located located across the entrance of Universal Studios. You can walk, approximately 10 minutes, but there is also a shuttle to the park. The hotel has been largely set up and has been entirely renovated. The rooms are spacious. The bed/pillows (several types of pillows) are great, just like you use to have in a Doubletree/Hilton hotel. The room has a flat screen TV and refrigerator. You must, however, look for it, because it’s integrated in the room. Perhaps a stupid subject, but the toilet is super. It is exactly as if you impregnate the toilet in a plane. When we checked in, we got hot cookie (with chocolate and notes). The staff...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 13, 2008

Doubletree Hotel by Hilton at the Entrance to Universal Orlando
5780 Major Blvd.
Orlando 32819
(407) 351-1000

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Morada Bay Cafe

Restaurant | "Morada Bay"

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Morada Bay Café in IslamoradaStill our favorite in The Keys. This year we had lunch and dinner at Morada Bay. It was a great evening. The temperature was perfect and the sunset was very beautiful! It is the strength of this restaurant; the location! Where can you eat with your bear feet in the sand. While you’ve dinner, you can watch the sunset. It’s just perfect and very romantic! We didn’t make a reservation and know we had the change that we had to wait for a table. Where can you sit more perfectly and wait for a table….exactly at Morada Bay. Adirondack chairs are available on the beach. After half an hour (or maybe a few minutes longer) a table was available. We had a table at t...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on June 17, 2008

Morada Bay Cafe
Mm 81.6 / 81600 Overseas Hwy
Islamorada, Florida 33036
(305) 664-0604

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Turtle Kraals Waterfront Restaurant and Bar

Restaurant | "Turtle Kraals, Key West"

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We didn’t plan it to have lunch here. We were just walking around the harbor and we walked by Turtle Kraals. We decided to have lunch here, because of the great view of the warf. From your table you have a perfect view of the harbor and boats. The waitress was friendly, but a little rushed. I don’t know the reasons for that, because it wasn’t that crowded. They seem to have turtle races. I think that is over the top and so touristic. Leave the turtle alone!! This is what we had for lunch:Lunch: Mahi Mahi Sandwich Drinks:Diet Coke The Mahi Sandwich was delicious. Fresh lightly battered fish with a tarter sauce. Simple yet tasteful! You can read man...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on June 25, 2008

Turtle Kraals Waterfront Restaurant and Bar
231 Margaret Street
Key West, FL 33040

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Rusty Pelican

Restaurant | "The Rusty Pelican"

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I can’t visit Miami, without a dinner at Rusty Pelican in Key Biscayne. The Rusty Pelican is a waterfront restaurant with view of Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline. I love this place. The location is perfect. Dinner during sunset…how romantic! Boats are in the water and the skyline lights up when it become dark. We did make a reservation earlier that day ( we were in the neighborhood). Our table was outside, like we asked, near a fire basket. The view is so wonderful and the outside area has a great ambiance. I like this restaurant because of the outside dining. Our waitress was young and very nice and polite. I had the feeling she wasn’t experienced with serving. However she did a great ...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on July 1, 2008

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

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Hemingway's Retreat

Restaurant

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Because of a recommendation of a friend of us, we had dinner at Hemmingway’s. Hemmingway’s Retreat is located on St. Armands Circle. It was I think 9:30 pm and there were almost no people in the restaurant. Only two other tables. We didn’t want to look further, because we were hungry and wanted to eat something. We sat outside on the balcony with a view of St. Armands Circle. The interior inside has a tropical style. I didn’t like the ambiance, maybe it was because it was very quiet that evening or that most tables had no linens. About the food; this is what we had:Main course: Pecan Tilapia ($22) Fra Diabola ($26)Dessert: Key Lime Pie ($6)Wine...Read More

Member Rating 2 out of 5 on June 25, 2008

Hemingway's Retreat
325 John Ringling Blvd
Sarasota

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Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach

Attraction | "Holocaust Memorial in Miami"

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It’s not the first ‘must do’ activity you’ll think of, but when you are in Miami you should bring a visit to the Holocaust Monument. It was a very moving experience. Especially the bronze figures around the sculpture of ‘Love and Anguish’. The emotions captured on the faces of the sculptures are incredible. The impact of the Holocaust can not be translated in stone and bronze, but the creation of this monument was very impressive. The sculpture of Love and Anguish is a arm with bronze figures of people climbing the arm. The emotions captured on the bronze faces; it makes you sad. Every face is a ‘story telling face’. I was fascinated by the bronze figures, called the ‘Series of Vignettes’. These sculp...Read More

Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach
1933-1945 Meridian Avenue
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
+1 305 538 1663

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Fort Zachary Taylor State Park - Key West

Story/Tip

Fort Zachary Beach Photo - Key West, Florida

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We’ve been so many times to key West and never went to Fort Zachary State Park. This year we visited this historic park. I don’t understand why we’ve never been here before. What a beautiful site. Especially if you like to photograph. About the beach:Our B&B innkeeper said this is the only beach she (and many locals) will swim in because it is bacteria free. It’s a great area, where the water is so blue. The beach is surrounded with Australian Pines, which I didn’t expected in the Florida Keys. There are shaded picnic areas, barbecue spots, restrooms, showers, chair and umbrella rentals. (chairs are $15 dollar each…not very cheap!) If you are hungry, go to the Cayo Hueso Café fo...Read More

We’ve been so many times to key West and never went to Fort Zachary State Park. This year we visited this historic park. I don’t understand why we’ve never been here before. What a beautiful site. Especially if you like to photograph.

About the beach:
Our B&B innkeeper said this is the only beach she (and many locals) will swim in because it is bacteria free. It’s a great area, where the water is so blue. The beach is surrounded with Australian Pines, which I didn’t expected in the Florida Keys. There are shaded picnic areas, barbecue spots, restrooms, showers, chair and umbrella rentals. (chairs are $15 dollar each…not very cheap!) If you are hungry, go to the Cayo Hueso Café for food, snacks and refreshments. You can order Cuban sandwiches, BBQ sandwiches, Chicken or Tuna sandwich/wrap and much more. Cayo Hueso is open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

About the fort:
Fort Zachary was named after the US President Zachary Taylor in 1850. According to the self guided brochure, Fort Zachary played a significant role in Florida's early development. It became a national landmark in 1973. There was some construction going on. This to stabilize the barracks building. Many people don’t visit the fort and go directly to the beach. That’s a shame. The fort is also the center of several Key West activities like Fort Taylor Pirate Fest and Halloween, it is then transformed into a haunted fort. Can you imagine?

There is a tour guide at noon and 2 p.m. We were at the fort on a early day, so we did take the self guide tour. Beside the history, the Fort is a great place to shot some awesome photos. There are still cannons; some buried in the casemates. Take the stairway and you are know on the fort. From here you have a great view of the harbor and Mallory Square (in the distance of course). There are several statues; don’t miss them. If you like sunsets, then this is a nice spot. It’s so NOT Mallory Square sunset. It’s the opposite….quite and with very beautiful views. Not the island in front of Mallory Square that blocks the sunset every night!

My recommendation is to visit the Fort first and after that, go to the beach for a great day in the sun and water!

Location:
At the end of Southard Street on Truman Annex. You can walk, but I think the way back is longer…if you know what I mean.

Hours:
From 8 a.m. until sundown 365 days a year.

It costs $1,50 per person, which I think its cheap. (you can come and leave during the day)

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Florida Journals

Sunny Florida 2008

Courtyard by Marriott Miami Beach Oceanfront

Doubletree Hotel by Hilton at the Entrance to Universal Orlando

Morada Bay Cafe

Turtle Kraals Waterfront Restaurant and Bar

Rusty Pelican

Hemingway's Retreat

Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach

Fort Zachary Taylor State Park - Key West

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