The Marco Polo Ramada Plaza Beach Resort enjoys a great location on an uncrowded beach with no other hotel in sight. Next to the exclusive Sunny Isles Beach neighborhood across from the booming Aventura area, the hotel sits in a primarily residential neighborhood with no other hotels in sight. The quieter area is great for those who prefer convenience to sports facilities: the Calder and Gulfstream horse tracks, Jai Alai, dog racing and golf are easy drives away. So are the glitz and glamour of South Beach's cafes and night clubs 12 miles from the resort and the ritzy shops of Bal Harbour five miles north. Shoppers, take note: Aventura Mall, one of the nation's most upscale shopping centers, is only three minutes away, but guests will find the Ramada Plaza's own promenade offers an art gallery, sundry shop, salon and clothing store.

Guests can start their mornings out with complimentary continental breakfasts and then swim in an Olympic sized heated pool while children can in the well equipped fitness center, which also features wet and dry saunas. The Ocean Terrace Restaurant offers pool views and the complimentary continental breakfasts, while the Poolside Café and Bar dishes up hamburgers, salads, sandwiches, hot dogs, light snacks and tropical drinks.

With ocean views, spacious guest rooms offer coffee makers, wet bars, safes and refrigerators. Most have private balconies and some even come furnished with kitchenettes.

Unlike the chic South Beach boutique hotels, white sand beaches are this resort's centerpiece for family, leisure and business travelers. Miami Beach vacationers can fork out top dollar for swank SoBe hotels or turn to a nationally known company like Ramada for good, moderately priced accommodations and close proximity to all the action, just not in the middle of revelry.