Summer Nationals - Travel, Hotel & Venue Information

[teacup]

Does anyone have information about hotels in the area around the Miami Beach Convention Center?

Most of the hotels offered by THS are on the mainland. Are there other hotels not offered by THS that are within walking distance?

What is the area around the venue like? Are there places to walk to?

There are three airports in the Miami Area, MIA, FLL and PBI. Are all within a reasonable distance from the venue or should only MIA be used?

All and any information from those knowledgeable of the area would be helpful.

[IHateMrPotatohead]

Not sure about hotels, but I flew in and out of FLL for the Miami NAC in 2005. It was about a 20 minute drive away, and about $100 cheaper than MIA. If you're going to rent a car anyway, i would highly recommend doing that.

[HDG]

Flying into FLL is often cheaper than MIA, but if you are one of those people who arrive and fence the same day, DO NOT fly into FLL. Otherwise you're fine there. I wouldn't advise flying into Palm Beach unless you get a really killer price, but I simply can't imagine that.

There are plenty of hotels on the beach north and south of the venue, but most are a short drive away. The mainland venues are simply much larger (not to defend anything THS does).

PLENTY of food and drink w/in walking distance. Excellent Irish pub, The Playwright, a short hop away ready for the armory contingent…

[teacup]

On the THS website there is a note saying that there will only be a shuttle from the Marriott Biscayne Bay. On the list of THS hotels, it states that the hotels provide shuttle service.

The USFA website states:
DOUBLETREE GRAND - SHUTTLE PROVIDED
HYATT DOWNTOWN - SHUTTLE PROVIDED
RADISSON HOTEL - SHUTTLE PROVIDED

This has been corrected on the THS website.

[fencerchica]

Would any Miami locals on the board have advice re: the small hotels in the "art deco" strip near the Miami Beach convention center? It'd be nice to be within a couple blocks of the venue, but I don't want to end up in (too much of) a dive, lol.

----------------------------------------------

Edited to add:

There looks to be a gaggle of fairly small (<100 rooms or so) "boutique" hotels in the $140/night range within a couple blocks' radius of the convention center. The general area to the east of the convention center is supposedly known as the "art deco strip" (reflected in the architecture, or at least in the style of facade). Reviews on tripadvisor are pretty mixed about these places though, and I had a bad experience in Atlanta last year, so I'm gonna be cautious!

Some of the names include:
The Townhouse (150 20th Street, Miami Beach, FL)
Beachcomber (1340 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL)
The Greenview (1671 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL)

[HDG]

Hell, everybody can crash with me.

There's a couple of things about the deco hotels; one is that they're OLD. Inq old. They are generally refurbished, but rooms tend to be small (think European hotel).

Most of them are either on Ocean, Collins or Washington, where the bars and clubs are (most of them haves bars or clubs downstairs), so if you are staying over the weekend, plan on LOTS OF NOISE all night.

[edew]

Go to vamoose.com or vacationhomerental.com and search for long-term (if that's your bag) stay in and around Collins Ave, anywhere from 23rd to 13th Aves. Some of those are pretty cheap, about $80/night before taxes and other cleaning fees.

I've got a place that comes to about $100/night after all fees and such. Right across the street from the convention center.

[teacup]

Here is an interesting airfare website. It predicts whether airfares will go up or down in the future. You can also buy an air fare protection policy.
http://farecast.com/

[sleepyweasle]

Anyone have any idea when they are going to post start times for the events? Or at least the notations for those events with "before 10AM" start times? It would make it much easier to buy airline tickets if we had some idea when the events might end (guesstimating from the start time).

[oiuyt]

Anyone have any idea when they are going to post start times for the events? Or at least the notations for those events with "before 10AM" start times? It would make it much easier to buy airline tickets if we had some idea when the events might end (guesstimating from the start time).

Start times won't be posted until after they have the entry numbers. Figure ~1 week after the registration deadline.

The <10am designations will not be posted. The Board voted to remove the requirement that the TC do so (for SN (SN2007?) only) at the last meeting in September.

-B

[sleepyweasle]

Well that sux...

[teacup]

Well that sux...

Sigh, yes, here we go again.
Next we will wait for the event dates for the October NAC. The cheapest fares to Tucson for that weekend are already sold out on Southwest.

[hologramqueen]

I have been doing a LOT of research on hotels etc for nationals.
First of all the parking at the hotels is anywhere from $18 to $25 PER DAY...
Parking at the convention center is $10 each day you have to go there..
These are some of the hotels that our motley crew is staying at..the DAYS INN ART DECO (305)538-6630 on collins/21st is approx $135 per night for 2 doubles and is approx 1/3 of a mile away from CC.. then the DORSET (305)938-6000which is at 1720 collins street is approx 1/4 mile away $130 per night 2 doubles.. the Sanctuary is a "boutique" style hotel but has only 30 rooms that are all suites along with a fridge/sink/micro. $135 per night, cont breakfast and is around the corner from CC on James ave so walking distance is approx .10 of a mile and they allow you to use their sister hotels (next street over on Collins the Shelborne)beach..
hope that this info helps!

[HDG]

they allow you to use their sister hotels (next street over on Collins the Shelborne)beach...

All beach here is public; don't let hoteliers tell you otherwise.

[hologramqueen]

what I guess I meant was you can use their pool and their beach equip.. thanks!!

[teacup]

I have heard that the area around the Marriott Biscayne Bay, although in the process of improving, at the moment isn't the best.

I have also heard that the hotels around the convention center can be quite noisy due to parties and the thin walls of older hotels.

Any truth to either of these statements?

What's the traffic like over the bridge from the mainland to the island between the Marriott and the venue?

[HDG]

I have heard that the area around the Marriott Biscayne Bay, although in the process of improving, at the moment isn't the best.

True, but it's hardly dicey. Do your dining & carousing on the beach.

I have also heard that the hotels around the convention center can be quite noisy due to parties and the thin walls of older hotels.

Often true -- luck of the draw.

Any truth to either of these statements?

What's the traffic like over the bridge from the mainland to the island between the Marriott and the venue?

Unless there's anything big going on it should be fine.

[Phincer]

All beach here is public; don't let hoteliers tell you otherwise.

Back in the day, "public" was everything from the high tide mark to the water. I see on google earth that there are public access strips between the hotels. Just use one of those and walk as much as you want up and down the beach.

Just remember your sunscreen. Sunburn+fencing whites =owwwwwwwwww.

[teacup]

Unless there's anything big going on it should be fine.

Thank you!

[noodle]

THS just cancelled my reservation without any good reason, so does anyone know of any hotels within a few miles of the venue? i'm driving, so it can be kinda far-ish and be ok.