The words “Miami” and “value” aren’t commonly found in the same sentence, but for a chunk of the year, from summer through fall, a surprising number of deals and discounts can be found.
Summer is low season in Miami, and during this relatively quiet period, the best deals are available. While hotel prices in other beach spots, like those in the Northeast, are among the highest of the year, hotels in Miami are slashing prices and adding incentives.
Suites beyond the budget in February are deeply discounted in August, by as much as 50 percent. The Betsy-South Beach, a boutique hotel built in 1942, offers 50 percent off Royal Suite bookings through Oct. 31. There are also discounts across room categories; a fourth night in any room category is free at the Betsy through Aug. 31. At the W South Beach, besides a free fourth night, guests get $100 dining credit. Some hotels extend free nights past summer, like Como Metropolitan Miami Beach, which offers four nights for the price of three year round with its Extend Your Miami Beach Break promotion.
Booking direct with the hotel can also yield extra value. At Circa 39, a boutique hotel on Collins Avenue, rates begin at just $100 a night from July through September, and guests booking direct-online receive Buy One Get One cocktails at the on-site Wunderbar. Bryant Soriano, Circa 39’s general manager, said that summer has an international feel that can be missing from other beach destinations. “There is a nice mix of European, South American and domestic guests,” he said.
Summer value goes beyond hotel rooms to spas and restaurants. In July and August, Miami Spa Month opens the door to the city’s premier spas at affordable prices. Over 40 spas, including the Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Miami and the Ritz-Carlton South Beach Spa, will offer treatments for $109 and $139 (up to 50 percent savings).
“It’s a great way to get a taste of the hotel spas you’ve always wanted to try,” said Laura Pelliccio, spa director of Agua at Delano South Beach. These discounts include full access to luxurious spa sites. Additional spa promotions are created by individual hotels, like a complimentary 60-minute signature treatment per day at Como Metropolitan Miami Beach.
More than 200 restaurants in Miami Beach and Greater Miami are involved in Miami Spice, a promotion from Aug. 1 through Sept. 30: three-course lunches are $23; three-course dinners, $39. “With Miami Spice, you can try the city’s best cuisine for a fraction of the price,” said Peter Vauthy, the executive chef at Red, the Steakhouse.
With children off from school, hotels also offer family specials. At Fontainebleau Miami Beach, kid-friendly programs through Labor Day include family pastry classes, poolside movie nights on a large screen (plus Summer Olympics coverage) and free poolside games.
“The crowds and partyers that flock here during February and March are notably absent,” said Philip Goldfarb, the chief operating officer of Fontainebleau. “What you’ll find instead is programming geared toward families.”
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