HotelChatter

Travel writer Michael de Zayas just returned from 30 Miami hotels in 30 Miami nights--his answer to the destination wedding question is below.

I know the perfect place for you!

Ready? It's the Cadet Hotel. This is, all of a sudden, one of the most charming small art deco hotels in Miami Beach, and a great value. Formerly it was a neglected. Bathrooms were old and ugly. Nothing special.

And then the owner (who, by the way, is a female doctor in Miami; this is one of the few truly privately owned hotels around) brought in a wonderful manager named Vanessa from a great small hotel in Uruguay, and things have been looking up. Renovations began last November: all rooms were completely re-done, the lobby, the gardens. Today, though working renovations continue through April, it's looking like one of the better quiet hotels in South Beach.

The location is impeccable for an event like this. You're one block from the action of Lincoln Road. You're one block from the chicest part of Collins Avenue. You're two short blocks form the ocean. You're directly across the street from Casa Tua, the dazzling garden restaurant, one of Miami's most famous. But you don't want your guests thrown to the wilds of the night life scene, and James Avenue shields them from much of the shenanigans to be found on other streets here. James Avenue runs only a few blocks, so there's very little motor traffic. It almost feels pedestrian. Middle of it all, away from it all.

And there's an additional historical note. The hotel gets it's name because Clark Gable stayed here when he was leading a group of cadets from West Point during the war. A photo of him still adorns the lobby.

As for price, I asked for you: rooms, typically $175, can be booked in July for about $125 in a group like yours. I don't think you can go wrong.

The rooms and the lobby are fashionable and contemporary, but still very comfortable, with new high-thread-count linens, and caring touches like fresh flowers in the rooms. Your guests can feel like they've experienced some glamor, but without sacrificing comfort. The outside gardens are lovely, and a small terrace overlooking the ginger flowers looks like a great place for breakfast. I got a great feeling of relaxation here.

After touring nearly all the hotels in South Beach, I have to say that in this price range I would probably send friends to the Cadet. And I recommend it to you. Have a great time, and send us photos!

Related Stories:
· Cadet Hotel [TripAdvisor]