Cardozo Hotel
1300 Ocean Drive
Miami Beach, FL 33139
Tel: 305.535.6500
Toll Free: 1.800.782.6500

CELEBS SPOTTED: Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Cindy Crawford, Kate Hudson

Gloria Estefan owns the Cardozo

Art Deco comes to life in the Cardozo Hotel in southern Florida, otherwise known as the “Jewel of South Beach.” Owned by the Conga Queen herself, Gloria Estefan and husband Emilio, the famous building has been in lots of flicks, including “Something About Mary” and Frank Sinatra’s “A Hole in the Head.” Casual, yet elegant is the flavor at the Cardozo, which is why everyone from Kate Hudson to Cindy Crawford have been spotted there.

The Cardozo Bar and Grill offers Cuban flare

With 43 rooms ranging from doubles to deluxe suites, you’re going to love the calm atmosphere with Atlantic views. Dine in at the Cardozo Bar & Grill, another spot the celebs like to hang in South Beach. Plus, you’re within walking distance of tons of shops and restaurants along Ocean Drive, and Lincoln Road is blocks away. Walk with your family, take the dog, see live music and art galleries.

Beauty and elegance abound at the Cardozo

Look at that view!

Rooms start at $250 a night (until the off season starts in April, when they drop to $215 a night). All rooms have cable TV, minibars, bathrobes, and computerized door locks. WiFi, too, and room service. But you can really relax in the spacious suites, which include pullout sofa beds, dining areas, and Jacuzzi tubs. And every room is ADA-equipped.

Luxury in double at the Cardozo

You want to drink in South Beach and all the Miami goodness it has to offer? Hard to find better than the Cardozo…luxurious yet (relatively) affordable. The ocean views await. So do all those tanned botoxed beings.

Nearby restaurants/bars: The Grill at the Setai, scrumptious Italian eatery Escopazzo, or just chill with a beer at Zeke’s Roadhouse.

Photo Credits

First exterior shot of hotel: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pkeigan/ / CC BY 2.0

Gloria Estefan: Daylife

All other photos: Cardozo Hotel web site

The first thing I noticed upon walked into my oceanfront room at the Holiday Inn Oceanfront Miami Beach was the temperature. It was freezing!  No wonder – when I checked the thermostat it had been cranked down to 50 degrees, probably by housekeepers when they were cleaning the room. I reset it to 72 degrees, then stepped to the window. Nine floors below, the hotel’s lush grounds and pool spread out before me. Beyond a low hedge of Seagrape, an aquamarine ocean softly lapped on the shore and sparkled in the sunshine like a billion tiny jewels. Spectacular!

View from the Holiday Inn Oceanfront in Miami Beach

I could hardly wait to explore the art deco architecture, gorgeous beaches, art galleries and nightlife, but first I needed food. Hoping to salvage enough of the afternoon for a walk on the beach, I crossed the sunny, tropically decorated lobby to the hotel’s Paradise Cafe Restaurant and grabbed a quick bite to eat. It turned out to be the best meal of the entire weekend – quite amazing considering the hundreds of gourmet restaurants in the area. Read More »

guest post by Sherry Gray

Anything on the beach is going to have a certain amount of awe associated with it just by virtue of the natural environment.  But some beach hotels go the extra mile to make the most of their prime location.

Six Amazing Beach Hotels

The National Hotel on South Miami Beach, FL

The Naitonal - South Beach Miami hotel

Known for the elegance and luxury of a bygone era, the hotel sits right on the sands of Miami’s best known beach and features a unique 205-foot long infinity pool. The National was built in the late 1940s and boasts chic art deco style with all the amenities you expect in a luxury hotel.

itty bitty picture of big infinity pool

What’s to love: Style! Fully restored to its original glory in 1997, the National is loaded with charm and style.

The Sanctuary Beach Resort in Monterey Bay, CA

The Sanctuary Beach Resort in Monterey Bay

Built on the edge of The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, this luxurious resort offers the kind of unspoiled nature you’d normally have to sleep in a tent to enjoy. The isolated location of The Sanctuary Beach Resort offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean or rolling dunes of seemingly endless sand alive with an amazing array of indigenous plant and wildlife. You can’t go wrong, either choice is simply breathtaking.

What’s to love: Put simply, raw nature. With the Marine Sanctuary just steps away, you’re surrounded by wilderness while being spoiled rotten by amenities.

The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort just off the coast of Charleston, SC

The Sanctuary

This five star resort hotel built in 2004 is designed to be reminiscent of an elegant seaside mansion, and to fit into the landscape as if it has been in place for hundreds of years. Sweeping, Gone With the Wind staircases dominate the expansive lobby, beautifully decorated in traditional southern décor accented by antiques, lending a homey feeling of casual elegance.

What’s to love: Gorgeous, oceanfront golf. Golf Digest ranks The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort at number 25 on it’s list of 100 Greatest U.S. Golf Courses and number 4 on the Best Public Course list.

The Wyndham Hotel Galvez in Galveston, TX

Tropical pool at The Wyndham Hotel Galvez

Recently restored to its full glory, the glamorous Wyndham Hotel Galvez dates back nearly 100 years. Dubbed the “Queen of the Gulf” when it first opened in 1911, the hotel was frequented by celebrities and public figures like Teddy Roosevelt, Frank Sinatra and the enigmatic Howard Hughes.

What’s to love: Aside from rich historical background, the incredible tropical pool complete with swim up bar is a sight to behold.

The Victorian at the Beachmere Inn in Ogunquit, ME

Beachmere Inn

This beautifully restored Victorian mansion built in the late 1800s was once a private residence. Comfortable, affordable rooms decorated in Shaker style and soothing seaside color overlook a panoramic view of the beach below.

What’s to love: Wood burning fireplaces in some of the suite-style rooms for cozy evenings in.

The Turtle Bay Resort in Oahu, HI

View from The Turtle Bay Resort

Forty-five minutes away from the high density overpopulation of Honolulu, the Turtle Bay Resort is an oasis of tranquility on nearly five miles of dazzling white sand beaches. Because of its unique construction, every room in the resort has a spectacular ocean view.

What’s to love: Surfing! The Oahu shoreline is home to legendary surfing spots including the Banzai Pipeline.

You might have guessed that I’m not a huge fan of cookie-cutter chain hotels. I look for unique factors that will make my beach vacation memorable. Fortunately it’s not that hard to find a hotel full of charm, grace and elegance. They key is to break away from the familiar and search for the original.

Do you have several thousand dollars lying around to spend on an extravagant night of pampering?  Me neither.  But someone in the United States is enjoying the life of luxury.

Here’s where they’re doing it…

10 Most Luxurious Hotels in the US

Enjoy everything from camping to beachfront property at the nation’s top luxury hotels.

1. Palms Casino Resort – Las Vegas, NV

Hugh Hefner Sky Villa at Palms in Las Vegas

The Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas has built a reputation as the decadent playground for celebrities in Las.  At $40,000 a night, their Hugh Hefner Sky Villa provides the ultimate luxury for playboys and playgirls alike.  Or, for a mere $4,000 per night, you can connect with your inner child in the Barbie Suite.

2. The Peninsula Beverly Hills – Beverly Hills, CA

The Peninsula Beverly Hills (image courtesy of The Peninsula Hotel Group)

Naturally, one of the world’s most luxurious cities needs a place for the visiting Pretty People to lay their head.  The Peninsula Beverly Hills property offers simple luxuries – like complimentary wireless internet and private poolside cabanas.  Of course, Pretty People shouldn’t be expected to rely on front doors – which is why several of the rooms here come with private entrances and guaranteed “discretion”.

3. Halekulani – Honolulu, HI

Halekulani in Honolulu Hawaii - the Vera Wang suite

I suspect everything in Hawaii feels luxurious.  But if you want to step it up a notch, pick a hotel whose name means “house befitting heaven”.  You can go big with an ocean view suite, or settle for a basic room at the Halekulani for just a little over $400 per night.

4. The Peninsula Chicago – Chicago, IL

Private rooftop terrace at Peninsula Chicago

The most luxurious street in Chicago is Michigan Avenue, and The Peninsula Chicago is located in the heart of the famed Magnificent Mile.  The hotel’s restaurants and bars provide gourmet dining and a chance to rub elbows with Chicago’s elite.

5. The Peninsula New York – New York, NY

A dining room inside a hotel room at The Peninsula New York

Are you getting the impression that The Peninsula Hotel Group specializes in luxury hotels for the privileged masses?  The New York property is no exception.  Everything about this hotel says luxury – from it’s prime 5th Avenue location and glass enclosed rooftop pool, to the oversized rooms (unheard of in Manhattan) and 450-count linens.

6. Mandarin Oriental – New York New York, NY

Mandarin Oriental and Central Park in New York City

A suite with a connected room at the Mandarin Oriental will cost you about $3,000 per night.  What you’ll get for the money is the opportunity to enjoy sweeping views of Central Park, 5-star customer service, and access to a world-class spa and fitness center.

7. Four Seasons New York New York, NY

Ty Warner Penthouse, Four Seasons New York

New York City is one of the most expensive cities in the world, so it’s no wonder that it’s home to so many luxury hotels.  And it doesn’t get more luxurious than the Four Seasons.  Guests who stay in the Ty Warner Penthouse will pay $34,000 a night to enjoy a view from the top of the city as well as a personal trainer, butler, therapist and a private chauffeur.  Of course, a chauffeur isn’t much use without a car – so the hotel throws in unlimited use of either a Rolls Royce or Mercedes Maybach.

8. The Setai – Miami Beach, FL

The Setai - Miami Beach, FL

The Setai is located in Miami’s famed South Beach district and offers privileged sun worshipers luxury on the beach.  The Setai is a favorite destination for celebrities visiting South Beach.  An ocean front suite will run you about $2,400 per night.  Throw in “complimentary breakfast” and you’ll spend $3100.  I assume the eggs are magnificent.

9. The Point – Lake Placid (roughly), New York.

The Point - former Great Camp of the Rockefellers

Guests of The Point enjoy luxury before they even arrive in the form of a ride from a private jet.  If you’d prefer to drive, you’ll need to wait until you’ve paid for your stay to receive directions to this exclusive hideaway.  The Point was originally built as a Great Camp for the Rockefeller family – and it retains that prestige and opulence to this day.

10. Mansion at MGM Grand Las Vegas

Mansion at MGM Grand Las Vegas

Need a break from home but can’t bear to live without the familiarity of a full staff?  Then the Mansion at MGM Grand is the perfect hotel for you.  Enjoy celebrity neighbors, personal butlers, and an indoor swimming pool while you’re being pampered in the lap of luxury.  Oh – and leave behind $5,000 for the night when you go.

What are the odds I can save some money by booking one of these hotels on Priceline?