Our 3 Top Picks:
Rates: $115-200
Please call 305-531-0321 and ask for Carlos or Priscilla at the front-desk.
Per Frommer's, "It's hard to find a hotel on South Beach with both good value and excellent service, but the Crest Hotel Suites delivers as one of Miami's best bargains as well as coolest hotels.
It's walking distance to world famous Ocean Drive, Lincoln Rd Mall restaurants, nightlife and sandy beaches, and only one block from the National Hotel. There is a cafe and a small pool on the property.
Currently, there are 10 rooms blocked off for the Wu/Friedli wedding. These are the very small basic rooms at $115/night. There are a variety of suites which offer more space or even a kitchenette, price available upon inquiry.
Christine's Take
This place looks like a really good deal. Our wedding coordinator at the National Hotel recommended it as well. I would personally recommend upgrading to a suite, it will still be a bargain and you'll have more space and quiet as well as a better quality room. At this price, the pool will be small and rooms not so new but it looks still like a great place for all but the very picky guests.
Rates-$125-$200
The Greenview looks like a nice quiet place, no partying. Rooms feature handcrafted furnishings, original Modernist artwork, hardwood floors, and sisal area rugs. The rooms small and basic rooms but
nice, clean and comfortable. As is typical in South Beach, the bathroom is quite small. The rate includes complimentary baker's breakfast and iced tea and chocolate-chip cookies in the afternoon.
There's a cute lobby bar area and big bonus; access to the heated pool at the nearby (nicer, more expensive) Albion Hotel.
Greenview is located just 2 blocks from the ocean on a quiet corner that's close enough to the action, but far enough away that you'll actually feel secluded from the nearby hyperactivity.
Christine's Take
The rooms look like someone's high school bedroom at home, minus all the stuff. There's a high feel-at-home factor and the place was very clean and pleasant, if not luxurious. For my money, it's a better deal then some of the faux luxury cheap hotels that ultimately don't deliver. I'd definetly recommend this place.
Rates (before tax and fees): Queen- $129.00, Double beds- $139.00
1415 Collins Avenue This cozy block of apartment style rooms is about a 10 minute walk to The National Hotel; The suites feature fully equipped kitchen, dressing area, sitting area, full bath, hardwood floor and facing a tropical courtyard. There are 5 studios reserved at Villa Paradiso for the Wu/Friedli Wedding if you reserve BEFORE January 15th, 2006.
Christine's Take
Villa Paradiso looked like a well kept secret to me. The rooms each have their own door to the courtyard, which leads off from the main street. The office staff was friendly and the rooms were big and clean.
It's not a traditional hotel room, much more like a studio apartment. If you plan to stay a few extra days and want to save money and prepare your own meals, or are looking for a decent place at a discount, this is a great option.
You'll probably miss out on most hotel amenities like a full staff of people to help, room service etc.
Good Mid-Range
Rates: $175+
Just a 10 minute walk to The National Hotel, this funky hotel gets its value price because (a) it's a block off the beach and (b) it has no pool. However, it's clean with trendy decor and fun atmosphere.
There are waterbeds on the rooftop lounge that apparantly is quite the scene in the evenings. Caution! This is a great hotel but apparently NOT a quiet peaceful place....
We could only get room-rates reserved but no actual rooms. The reserved room-rate is $175 plus tax. Please call the front desk at 1-877-534-3800 and ask for Wu/Friedli wedding rate. The dates we have the rate for are the nights of Thursday April 13th to and including Sunday April 16th. First come, first served on this limited discount rate.
Christine's take
Townhouse is a styling little hotel, it looks like fun and festive place. It's perfect for anyone who wants a trendy South Beach scene without dropping a much bigger heap of cash.
Across the street from the National. Cool lobby like standeard on sunset with red shag rug and pod chairs, offers a 4 night discount rate.
Staff was nice, some skanky people in the pool, 4 people can share one room. Complimentary beach chairs at the beach across the street, new trendy restaurant.
Same group of hotels, these can be accessed from the Catalina website : Whitelaw, Mercury (their nicest), Chelsea, Chesterfield (good pricing at Chesterfield), 4 people possible per room at all of these.
* I have heard bad things about one hotel in their group, Lily Leon.
Christine's TakeCatalina was hip, looked nice, crowd was a bit bridge and tunnel. It's probably not a quiet place and some tripadvisor.com reviews I read indicated that customer service is horrendously bad. That said, if the price is decent it's an okay choice UNLESS you are picky or need a quiet place to go to bed early. Definetly a spring break party place.
Mid-Price
Restored budget Art Deco hotel near the National. We walked in and were quoted $125, though online rates look much higher. If you'd like to stay at this hotel, I'd recommend trying to call directly to ask for a better rate.
Overall okay, but not particularly charming or warm. The lobby is pretty nice, flatscreen TV at the bar. Check tripadvisor.com for reviews.
Rates- $120 high season, even lower in off season.
Ideal location right on the beach in the famous Art Deco District and just down the street from the National. There's a pool and complimentary breakfast.
Christine's TakeNo frills, a spring break vibe, but totally okay. High cheese factor on the decor, but hey....the price is right.
Best Western
Rates: $125
Landscaped pool, walking distance to Ocean Drive, Miami Beach Convention Center, Lincoln Road Mall, Jackie Gleason Theater, Versace's Mansion, fabulous restaurants, beaches, shopping and nightlife. About a mile from the National Hotel.
Christine's Takewe didn't see it, I pinched that review from their site. Our wedding coordinator said it was fine though.