Valet Parking

Going to Miami and will be hirng a car but note that most hotels require valet parking. What is this? Are they insured to take a hire car off somewhere? Do I pay direct to the hotel once a day no matter how much I come and go? And classic Brit question, I gather I tip the driver, is this each time he takes the car or when he brings it back? And how much is reasonable? Thanks for your help, I only want to do the right thing!!

We went into a timeshare on COLLINS STREET It is a hotel as well and had no car park ,Most of the hotels or motels have there own car park so with some you will not pay so go on the internet and it will tell you if there is a charge .
Yes we did tip the the man who brought our car as it is done in usa they look for you giving them a tip as the rich area of florida .
Plenty of good hotel at FORT LAUDERDALE a little drive away but coming back into MAIMI CAN BE A NIGHTMARE PARKING AND IS NOT FREE GOOD LUCK .
MAUREEN
www.onlinefloridavillas.com/villas/1683.aspx

There are very few hotels in the South Beach area art deco district (Collins Avenue) with parking so yes, most of these do have valet parking.

You usually pay a daily parking fee (ours was $19.99 in 1997 so it might have gone up by now) to the hotel and you have to tip the valet parking guy each time he brings your car back. It's easier to plan out your day properly so that you only have it collected and returned once a day if you can. Be warned that most of Collins Avenue is packed with cars every evening and there are usually traffic jams.

Tips are usually 15 or 20% so you'd need to know the parking charge first and then calculate.

Many thanks for your help.

We regularly stay at the Best Western Beach Resort on Miami Beach. Usually at the start of our holiday. They, as with most other hotels, do charge for valet parking.

We have found over the years that we didnt actually use a car very much while we are there, so now book the car via this site with Dollar and pick it up at the Eden Roc Hotel prior to setting off for Orlando. You can still choose to drop it off at the airport on the way back.

You can get most places in Miami Beach by either trolley bus or cab for less cost than the parking and certainly with less hassle.

Best regards