Before MTV trashed their good name, a Jersey Shore hotel meant a nice beachfront hotel. Now it means a nice non-beachfront hotel where Snooki slept. And it’s not even in the same state. 

Metropole Hotel & Jersey Shore

Would you be willing to pay $2000 for a hotel suite in Florida just because Snooki slept there? The Metropole Hotel in South Beach isn’t sure, but they’re willing to find out – by offering the ‘Jersey Shore Suite’ for $2000. 

For Season 2 of the reality show, Snooki, The Situation, JWoww and the other Jersey Shore cast and crew have been living it up at this hotel off Collins Avenue under a 2-month specially discounted deal. 

The hotel has a notice up on its site which says they’re full-up until May 26, 2010. After that, its time to test the power of the phrase: “Snooki Slept Here.” 

The hotel’s owner says he’s not really sure if anyone will pay $2000 for a suite in a hotel where rooms usually cost $250, which is located 2 blocks off the beach, and does not have a spa, restaurant or full-size pool – all must-haves for South Beach hotels. 

The Metrople isn’t the first hotel to try and cash in on Jersey Shore’s new-found infamy. The Tropicana in Atlantic City is offering a VIG (Very Important Guido) package, which includes a stay in the same suite where the Jersey Shore cast stayed. 

The Tropicana’s 1-night Jersey Shore package with a stay in the Baccarat Suite costs a whopping $4,250. If you can’t afford that kind of outlay, the Tropicana also has a Jersey Shore package for $877 - with a standard room replacing the Jersey Shore suite. 

If you’re not getting the Jersey Shore suite, why would you pay $877 in a hotel where you can get a room for less than $50? All hype and no substance – same as the VIGs on a certain show on MTV. 

Metropole photo courtesy South Beach Hotels 

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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.