Miami's nice!

After a good flight we landed and cleared the airport in an hour. Things going so well until we rang the pre paid shuttle service. They told us we had booked the car for 6.30pm (flight wasn't due until 6.20!) and the driver had been waiting an hour for us and we now had to pay him $31 waiting fee! By the time we got to the hotel it was $41 as the original pre paid price did not include the tip. We did argue but ended up paying as we were too tired to take it further, but I will pursue this when I get back to the uk. We are staying at Circa 39 (recommended by some one on this site but I can't remember who?) the hotel is lovely, it seems to be very new, extremely clean, all the bedding and linen good quality and the staff very friendly. Had a couple of beers in the bar and called it a night at 10.30pm.

up at 7.30am and it's raining! The forecast is for it to clear up, so breakfast in the hotel and by the time we set off it was dry but very humid. On the advice of the concierge we took the bus from around the corner to south beach Art Deco district to go and have a wonder on ocean drive. Just noticed the time, we are having dinner at the Betsy tonight and have to dash, will continue later.....

Great start Diane looking forward to reading more x

You did well getting through the airport in an hour. We transferred through Miami last week and it took nearly three hours with the queue for customs even longer than immigration. I think we caught it on a bad night.

Very jealous that you are going to enjoy at steak at The Betsy tonight, I can just taste those Popovers now!

Looking forward to the rest of the trip Report Diane!

We didn't eat at the Bettsy in the end as it was full, but will be returning tonight.

The bus trip into South Beach was fun, I felt like I was in grand theft auto, a rather large lady missed the bus in front, so our driver picked her up and chased after the other bus, overtook it so the lady could get off and catch it. But it then over took us, so she had to run back to our bus, get on and off we went again hurtling through the streets until we passed him again, she did manage to get on this time, although the rest of us had to hang on to our seats for dear life.
We loved Ocean Drive, the Hotels are beautiful and the beach stunning. We saw lots of people exercising, roller blading dashing about on Segways, a real good place to people watch.

We wandered to the shopping area on 17th Street and decided to stop at the one of the street side restaurants for lunch. Next we took a boat tour around Biscane Bay to see the homes of the rich and famous, well worth a visit, saw some stunning homes and good views of down town Miami. We had a wander around Bay Side when we got back and found Hard Rock Cafe so Mr M got yet another T Shirt, this area is really nice, I would love to come back in the evening as it has loads of bars and restaurants as well as interesting little shops.
We then came back to the hotel for shower and change, it has been really humid today, and back out for dinner. Disappointed the Betsy was full, but wandered down the drive looking at all the hotels lit up, they are lovely, and ended up at News Cafe, I remembered Tonnish mentioned this, so had a nice meal there. People watching was something else, at one point a guy walked passed with a huge snake around his neck! Taxi back to the hotel and fell into bed shattered. Off to the beach tomorrow and then collect the hire care. Sorry about the typing but I'm using the iPad, not ideal when I'm use to a key board!

Glad you liked Circa 39 - its a bit out of the ordinary, especially with the 'red lift' - we will stay there again next time in Miami!

we haven't found a red lift? The one by reception is now blue
but yes a lovely hotel

Trust me to read the third bit first and then the first and second reports. Oh well good in what ever order.