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Anonymous: I'm flying into Miami on Thursday night and will be driving to the Keys on Friday morning, then returning to Miami on Monday to fly home Tuesday morning. Any suggestions for: 1) a place to stay Thursday night with a great view of sunrise and 2) things not to miss during some free time on Monday and Monday night? Thanks!

Mark Ellwood: Wow. Quick visit. The Keys are fantastic though.
Here's a couple of thoughts: the Pelican Hotel on Ocean Drive is great fun, and has good views from its beachfront rooms. But if you're brave enough to stay somewhere other than the beach, try the Grove Inn Guesthouse near Homestead - the owners are lovely, and it will mean you'll break your drive into equal halves.

Things not to miss? Aside from everything else I've mentioned, try eating at Yambo in Little Havana - it's a Nicaraguan place that seems as if it was shipped wholesale (customers included) from Nicaragua. Fantastic, so cheap and buzzing any night even Monday.

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Atlanta, GA: I am taking a group of 150 21 to 35-year-olds on a cruise in November that leaves out of Miami on Sunday the 7th. Most of us will be flying in on Friday the 5th to hang out and see the Miami sights. For our age group, what do you think would be an ideal (and not very expensive) hotel to stay at? In what area of town? Also, what clubs would you recommend contacting to see if we can get group rates on bringing our group there? Gracias.

Mark Ellwood: 150 people is a lot - and most of the hotels in Miami are boutique sized. I'd recommend contacting the Loews Hotel on Collins, close to Lincoln Road - it's large enough to house your group, and you should be able to negotiate a good discount.

Club-wise, things change so rapidly, and frankly a lot of promoters won't worry about discounting to get you there on a weekend. I'd check the larger places like Crobar, which is terrific & really cool, despite being open for several years; or the new place Mansion I mentioned, as that should be quite large & good for groups.

Check newtimes.com closer to the time to see what's opened up (and closed) - 9 months is a lifetime in nightlife as far as Miami's concerned!

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Sarasota, FL: Mark, Having traveled a few times through Miami, I'm not so much concerned with Miami once I've arrived, but rather, the problem escaping the airport. Every time I've flown to, from or through Miami's "airport", the experience has been horrific. I've vowed to never again use it unless I'm forced through it on the way to a loved one's funeral. The employee's are the most disengaged I've come across, the layout is laughable, and the queues are pathetic. Do the 'powers that be' in Miami realize this? And, if so, are there plans to raze it and start over? The airport alone has put me off Miami. Thanks.

Mark Ellwood: I hear you. Miami airport is certainly the city's Achilles heel, though I've never had problems with staff (who've always been charming), more its odd layout. No plans from the city as far as I know to change anything; the option most people take if they need to go M.I.A. from MIA is to fly to Fort Lauderdale - it's only 40 minutes' drive & a lot of the cheaper airlines land there anyway.

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New York, NY: Hi Mark! I'll be visiting Miami with my 5-year-old and my 1-year-old. Beside the beach, what sites will they most enjoy visiting? And what are the most "kid-friendly" restaurants (FYI: being from NYC, we don't do McDonalds, my kids eat Thai food, Japanese food, etc. by kid friendly, I mean places where people won't get upset if the baby's a little loud. They'll eat almost anything I put in front of them). THANKS!!

Mark Ellwood: I love Parrot Jungle: it's moved to a new location on Watson Island near the beach, which lacks a little of the rickety old charm of its original site, but is still wonderful - the animals are very friendly and the colors mesmerizing. There's also the new Miami Children's Museum right across the road.

As for beaches, check out the sands on Key Biscayne, by far the most family-friendly beaches in the city; if you want to stay in South Beach, the seafront round 3rd street is best for kids.

As for eating, try the Front Porch Cafe on 14th & Ocean; full of locals, large and bustling, so lively kids won't disrupt the waiters' rhythm. Or Big Pink on 2nd & Collins - it's a funky diner aimed at the 20-something crowd, but the cool menu & fun design should appeal to kids - and it's very laid back.

On another note, there's a charming toy store on Key Biscayne called Toy Town - Nintendo free zone, with lots of old fashioned toys.

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Columbus, OH: My husband and I have been married for four years now and have not been able to afford a honeymoon. Our anniversary is coming up in April and we would like to go on a romantic honeymoon. Could you recommend someplace in the Miami area that is not too expensive?

Mark Ellwood: Aside from the ideas I mentioned above, for a romantic getaway check the city's new boutique hotels web site: it's accessible through miamiandbeaches.com, and has lots of recommendations & deals on the best, hippest places. Another option is the Whitelaw Hotel: it's part of a local mini chain called the South Beach Group (check southbeachgroup.com) which has 6 or so properties all of which are trendy, friendly and cheap.

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New Orleans, LA: Our vacation club has a resort in South Beach and we are considering spending one of our vacations there. Is this a suitable area for a family vacation or does this area appeal more to single younger individuals rather than families?

Mark Ellwood: Certainly, many of South Beach's attractions are geared to adults -- after all, it's nightlife and bars for which it's best known. But away from the beach, there's plenty for kids - other than the beaches on Key Biscayne, the Seaquarium there is filled with animals including manatees. The rangers run very interesting talks, tours and feeding sessions. Or check out the new Zoo, finally rebuilt and restocked with animals after being devastated by the hurricane of 1992.

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Olive Branch, MS: Hi Mark, I'm contemplating going to Miami over the Memorial Day holiday. Are the best deals at a South Beach hotel or would I gain just as much staying on Biscayne Bay?

Mark Ellwood: Memorial Day is close to off-season for Miami - once you hit June, July and August, it's still hot but the humidity means many people don't want to holiday there... so you can get some real bargains.
That said, Memorial Day in recent years has been the time for an impromptu hip hop festival in South Beach, so the hotels have been able to fill rooms at a high rate; I'd suggest you either book now for a bargain, or just stay further up the beach so you can hang out there easily - try the Beach House Bal Harbour at 94th and Collins.

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Portland, OR: I visited Miami for the first time last fall on my way to a cruise and was surprised how much I enjoyed it. Especially enjoyed the food at Tu Tu Tango. Do you have any suggestions for similar restaurants with a very interesting menu? Thanks.

Mark Ellwood: Restaurants come and go so frequently in Miami, so any list is almost out of date as soon as it's written. But my pick of the places to eat right now are all on the mainland, along the Biscayne Corridor. Check out OLA, it's a Latin fusion place at 50th St which just opened and is chef'd by the famous Douglas Rodriguez; or there's Citronelle further up, a Haitian fusion eatery. The place that has the most alternative, Portland-esque vibe is probably Cafe 190, on NE 46th St - brunch there is an all you can eat deal for $15, and there are poetry readings and performances during the week.

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Columbus, OH: Hi Mark, I'm a single person, and have no idea where to stay or go to enjoy the "full flavor" of Miami. Any top 5 list would be helpful. Thanks!

Mark Ellwood: To get the 'full flabor' of Miami, here's a top 5 to show its range:

Marietta, GA: Hi Mark! I'm 16 years old, and I'm going to Miami with my mom, dad, and 18-year-old brother for spring break in early April. I've done some research online, and it doesn't seem like there's much to do there unless you're at least 18. What are some fun things to do for my age group? Thanks.

Mark Ellwood: Great question. Here's what I'd do: I'd rent some rollerblades, and take a trip round South Beach that way - try Fritz's Skate Shop on Lincoln Road.

The best hangout is News Cafe on 8th & Ocean - it's open 24 hrs, and it's where the teen models still grab a black coffee once in a while when they're waiting for their next assignment. You can hang there for quite a while without problems.
At night, you're stuck with your folks more or less, though get them to take you to one of the cooler restaurants like Sushi Rock Cafe and you should get a good taste of Miami nightlife.

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Mark Ellwood: Thanks so much - looks like that's all we've got time for. Thanks for all your questions and hope you have a great time in Miami - it's a magnificent city.

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