Miami Beach

Miami Beach is, in many ways, the quintessential vacation destination. This strip of land, surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, offers miles of gorgeous beaches, a wide variety of lodging choices and plenty of Shopping, dining and entertainment options. It is connected to the mainland by six causeways. Families and international travelers often frequent mid-range hotels such as the Golden Sands or the Dezerland Miami Beach Resort, while honeymooners, convention-goers and anyone wishing to splurge can wallow in Luxury at resorts such as Loews Miami Beach Hotel or the Fontainebleau.

South Beach

South Beach lies in the southernmost section of Miami Beach. If you’re wondering where the best parties are, look no further - they’re all here. The only question is, how close do you want to be? If you stay in a place like the National or the Clevelander, you won’t even have to leave the hotel to find yourself in the center of the action. However, at some point amid the Shopping, dining and general revelry that constitutes a stay in South Beach, you may want to sleep. If so, make sure you choose a hotel that allows for it. The Blue Moon Hotel and the lushly landscaped Hotel Impala offer pockets of serenity within the busy rush of central South Beach.

Bal Harbour

Bal Harbour is on the northern end of Miami Beach. It is the most exclusive district in South Florida, and offers only a few accommodation choices, all of them expensive. While some of the world’s finest Shopping can be found at the Bal Harbour Shops, the main appeal of the district is its stately seclusion. Luxury accommodations there, including the Alexander Hotel, offer every imaginable amenity, including the intangible but priceless one: privacy.

Central Miami

Central Miami is the home of some of the largest, most imposing hotels. Business or leisure travelers who wish to be in the center of the city will appreciate the convenience of the Hotel InterContinental or the Hyatt Regency Miami. Located only minutes from the Port of Miami, Bayside Marketplace and the Metro-Dade Cultural Center, these hotels can be found in the center of the Financial District, near the Design District.

Coral Gables

Coral Gables is a charming gated village crisscrossed by canals and covered in lush vegetation. Here you’ll also find the The Venetian Pool, an enormous swimming pool shaped by a coral formation. Another attraction is the Biltmore Hotel, a good home base for visitors who like to combine sightseeing with other activities. Another venerable hotel is the Omni Colonnade, located a block away from the Miracle Mile Shopping district.

Coconut Grove

Coconut Grove is a bustling little arts district, chock full of Shopping, dining and entertainment destinations. The Grove is second only to South Beach in energy and activity. Accommodation choices are numerous, and most of them are pricey. The Mutiny Hotel offers great service in beautiful surroundings. The Mayfair Hotel & Spa, located just across the street from the Streets of Mayfair Shopping center, is a study in stately elegance.

West Miami

West Miami offers safe, clean, budget-friendly lodgings, as well as more expensive ones. If people choose to stay here, it’s either to save money or to be close to the airport. If you’re trying to save money, however, note that the only way to get into central Miami is by automobile — and a cab costs about USD20 each way. Most of the quality inexpensive hotels are recognized chains such as the Holiday Inn or the Days Inn. One of the most expensive hotels is the Miami International Airport Hotel, located inside the airport terminal. While the noise of planes flying overhead might be a distraction, this hotel is quite pleasant in all other respects. It’s elegant, comfortable and ever so convenient.

The choices above are just a few of the best options in the most popular districts. There are hundreds of other accommodations to choose from, ranging from rock-bottom to five-star. Whatever you’re looking for in a hotel, there is no doubt that if you look long and hard enough, you’ll find it here.

The rooms are built on the outer walls of the pyramid that are accessible using their “inclinators” that travel along the inner surface of the pyramid walls. When you first step on to the inclinator, you feel like you are in a normal elevator - until it starts to move. It took me a little time to get use to the side motion, but it provided a comfortable ride to my room. My room was good sized, clean and boasted a large over-sized shower (no bathtub) two queen-sized beds (one king-sized bed rooms are available) and even high speed Internet access. The only complaint I had was the mattresses seemed like 10,000 Egyptians used it before I got there - a little warn and uncomfortable for me.

The Luxor boasts the normal Las Vegas casino, but also has a wonderful variety of other entertainment options. The “Curls Gone Wild” show by Carrot Top is a must see show of wacky prop and original twisted humor. “Fantasy” is a seductive topless adult dance review that features the best showgirls, according to a Las Vegas Review Journal poll, live singers, and comedy. You can even enjoy the “3 Redneck Tenors” as they mix Beethoven, Nascar and lite beer. The Luxor is also home of an amazing IMAX theater that offers amazing picture and sound.

The nightlife at the Luxor is hip, happenin’ and always hoppin’. The LAX Nightclub offers club goers a state of the art VIP experience. Visit the Noir bar while in the LAX to enjoy the latest cocktails and bold concoctions. The Cathouse combines a world-class dining experience with intimate lingerie performers enticing participation from the crowd. Liquidity is at the center of the Luxor and features interactive project screens of water, while you enjoy the energized music mix.

Overall, the Luxor is a great Vegas experience. Nice beds, great atmosphere, and world-class entertainment. The hotel seems to favor the “younger” energy-driven crowd and leaves the “dead-beats” for the others.

Carefreetrip.com gives the Luxor Hotel and Casino out of 5 suitcases.

This resort has a Southwest, Mexican theme that provides a fiesta in the middle of Walt Disney World in Florida. This is a a great resort location to relax and getaway - they even provide the hammocks along a wonderful lagoon. There is lots of open space to take a walk, rent a bike, or just enjoy the wonderful Florida sun.

This resort boasts many great restaurants and even boasts a wonderful dish called the smothered burrito at the Pepper Market - you have to try it! It was unfortunate that the staff was not more helpful and accommodating. They seemed more interested in moving people through the lines than delivering your order correctly.

My wife and I love to visit Disney World. If you love the Southwest, you will enjoy this wonderful resort. I just hope they learn who is the guest and provide you better service than what we received.

Carefreetrip.com gives Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort out of 5 suitcases.

Sixty-two unbelievable ocean front acres, seventeen acres of palm-fringed stone-tiled paths, white sand beaches and tropical gardens adorn the grounds. Located along Hawaii’s only naturally-sheltered beach, the resort features calm waters. I found paradise!

A rustic wooden bridge spans the natural pond bordering the beach. Wooden-floored Hawaii Calls Restaurant & Lounge serves Pan-Asian cuisine with panoramic ocean views. I had dinner with my wife and watched the sunset over a calm, deep blue ocean. The view was incredible - so was the food!

The pool complex includes a sand-bottomed children’s pool with a 90-foot water slide and an infinity-edged pool for adults. The 165-foot heated infinity pool includes a Jacuzzi. The activities center rents snorkel sets, kayaks, boogie boards and pedal boats. The center arranges glass-bottom boat, scuba-diving and snorkeling excursions. Then there was the lagoon …

We enjoyed snorkeling like I have never experienced before! Because the lagoon is only available to guests, you enjoy a small group atmosphere while swimming with tropical fish, eels and even sea turtles. Simply heaven!

If all of this isn’t enough, the bi-level 5,750-square-foot Mandara Spa features services including body scrubs, facial treatments, Massages, and pedicures and manicures. The hotel also includes a 12,000-square-foot Naupaka Ballroom. The fitness center offers cardiovascular equipment, weight machines and flat-screen televisions - all state of the art!

After I had been spoiled to no end, I went golfing on the Beach Course. This course was everything I wanted and more! The trade winds provided a daunting challenge, while the lava fields lining the fairways provided a pinball-like game every time someone in my group hit a ball out of bounds.

The crowning glory of the Beach Course is the 502-yard par 5 twelfth—known throughout the islands as the most spectacular oceanfront par-five in Hawaii. Not only is it a challenging golf hole, it’s a great place to watch humpback whales and catch splendid views of the other Hawaiian Islands.

INCREDIBLE! There is nothing more to say.

This resort has something for everyone. From kids to adults, every one will leave wanting more. I have never seen blues like this. I have never seen beaches like this.

Put Waikoloa on your bucket list TODAY! Take the time, spend the money, enjoy yourself! Waikoloa is nothing less than amazing!

Carefreetrip.com gives the Waikoloa Hilton Resort  out of 5 suitcases.

I think the hotel was great, but it was a bit of a downer because of the distance from all of fun and entertainment of Las Vegas. I also would have appreciated a shuttle service to the strip that operated more than 2 times a day.

I would recommend you stay at this hotel if you are looking to enjoy Las Vegas in the slow lane. I enjoyed the amenities, while taking it easy. It is just a short cab ride to the strip if you want to enjoy a show!

Carefreetrip.com gives the JW Marriott in Las Vegas out of 5 suitcases.