Executive Travel : Zagat Survey: Miami

The following reviews are excerpted from Zagat Surveys, a series of regional dining and lodging guides based on extensive ratings and reviews contributed by restaurant-goers and frequent travelers. Ratings of food, decor and service are based on the following scale: 0-9, poor to fair; 10-19, good to very good; 20-25, very good to excellent; 26-30, extraordinary to perfect. Price reflects surveyors’ estimate of the price of a dinner, drink and tip. Zagat recommends these establishments in Miami and Miami Beach for business travelers.

On the Water

BISCAYNE BAY MARRIOTT

1633 N. Bayshore Dr., Miami; (800) 228-9290 Handy location for meetings and events, adjacent to the Bayside Marketplace and Metromover transit line around downtown. Has romantic view of the bay, but watch for rough neighborhood nearby. (605 rooms, 21 suites.)

Rooms: 19 Service: 18 Dining: 18 Facilities: 18 Cost: $129

FONTAINEBLEAU HILTON

4441 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; (800) 548-8886 Renowned convention facility has been renovated, keeping the gaudy look of its 1960s heyday but now with lagoon pool and impressive health club. Generally considered vulgar but efficient. (1,206 rooms, 60 suites)

Rooms: 18 Service: 18 Dining: 17 Facilities: 20 Cost: $161

GROVE ISLE YACHT & TENNIS CLUB

4 Grove Isle Dr., Coconut Grove; (305) 858-8300 On its own island, this secluded hotel with beautiful grounds is still close to both downtown Miami and the center of Coconut Grove. Excellent service and comfortable suites. Some complaints of unpredictable food. (49 rooms, 10 suites)

Rooms: 20 Service: 18 Dining: 18 Facilities: 22 Cost: $189

HOTEL INTER-CONTINENTAL

100 Chopin Plaza, Miami; (800) 327-3005 Where downtown meets the bay, this convenient hotel is popular with wealthy South Americans and has great views of the port. Le Pavillon Restaurant is expensive but serves superb haute continental cuisine. (644 rooms, 34 suites)

Rooms: 20 Service: 18 Dining: 18 Facilities: 19 Cost: $144

Art Deco District

BETSY ROSS HOTEL

1440 Ocean Dr., Miami Beach; (800) 755-4601 Small, Colonial-style hotel is best known for its top-rated restaurant, ‘a Mano.’ Rooms are not as important as the relaxing atmosphere in the center of hip South Beach district, especially popular with entertainment executives. (77 rooms, 3 suites)

Rooms: 17 Service: 20 Dining: 24 Facilities: 18 Cost: $122

THE MARLIN

1200 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; (305) 673-8770 New avant garde property has great Jamaican food and individually designed rooms. Funky restoration with roof terrace. (11 rooms)

Rooms: 20 Service: 20 Dining: 21 Facilities: 21 Cost: $131

For more information or to participate in future surveys, call (800) 333-3421. Copyright 1993, Eugene H. Zagat Jr. and Nina S. Zagat.