Nicknamed the Magic City, it’s a robust business setting for growing clientele and cultivating creative interests. The region’s great demand for services inspired Douthit to consider an entrepreneurial venture. Approaching her 21st year as the nutritional administrator for Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Douthit is also finding success with Petit Cakes (www.petitcakes miami.com), her line of gourmet cupcakes and miniature Bundt and layer cakes. Launched in 2009, Douthit’s home-based, part-time operation produces orders of roughly 2,000 to 3,000 cupcakes per month to an increasingly supportive group of patrons across industries. “I’m still young enough that I’m going to continue working,” says Douthit of her retirement in roughly 10 years, “and I’d rather be my own boss. My goal is to keep this at a slow and steady pace of growth.”

Here are several recommendations for your Miami experience.

ACCOMMODATIONS
A popular conference location, the Doral Golf Resort & Spa (www.doralresort.com), site of the 2012 Black Enterprise Golf & Tennis Challenge, spreads across 650 acres and offers a range of services and amenities that make it a comfortable environment for business exchanges, including its five champion golf courses.

Premium service is what guests can expect at the Mandarin Oriental (www.mandarinoriental.com/miami) located on Brickell Key. Booking a suite provides car service to and from Miami International Airport. This luxury hotel also offers exceptional year-round specials.

The boutique-style Hilton Bentley Miami/South Beach (www.hiltonbentleymiami.com) provides a choice between a studio, one- or two-bedroom suites, and the penthouse, all elegantly appointed in European fashion. The penthouse is 3,500 square feet with a spiral staircase that leads to a split-level rooftop terrace overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

RESTAURANTS
Truluck’s (www.trulucks.com) service extends beyond creative and succulent dishes to its own private crab fisheries and specially selected farms. There is live entertainment, and the after-dinner drink selection is as impressive as the wine collection.

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Rated one of the best Italian spots in Miami, Perricone’s Marketplace & Cafe (www.perricones.com) is open for lunch and dinner, with private rooms and special menus for business gatherings.

ATTRACTIONS
Three major sports teams have homes in Miami: the NFL’s Miami Dolphins play opponents in Sun Life Stadium; the NBA’s Miami Heat takes its talents to American Airlines Arena; and MLB’s Miami Marlins will swing their bats in the New Marlins Ballpark in 2012.

The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts (www.arshtcenter.org) is the largest performing arts center built in the U.S. in the last 30 years. Located on Biscayne Boulevard, it hosts a range of artistic and cultural engagements. The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is scheduled to perform in February 2012.

There are a number of society events, such as the Annual Hat Luncheon in February, that take place at the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens (www.vizcaya museum.org). The Moonlight Garden Tour, complete with live music and wine, is a favorite for visitors.

The Staes family spends wisely for summer vacation. (Photo by Alex Jones)

Each year, the Staes family travels to a different state for Amateur Athletic Union Basketball finals, which doubles as a week-long summer vacation.  Having three children with varying ages and interests—Ethan, 13; Grace, 10; and Holden, 6–the Staes try to have fun without breaking the bank. “When possible, my husband Steven and I rent a home or condo for the week for $600.  We can cook several meals, enjoy the private pool, and use amenities like the game room,” says Michelle, 41. “When we stay at a hotel, we look for discounts and complimentary breakfast.”

Summer vacations–whether for families, couples, singles or groups–don’t have to be expensive to be memorable. Here’s how to stay within your budget while planning your summer getaway.

Airfare
The authors of Five Star Living on a Two Star Budget (Harvest House Publishers; $9.48), Margaret Feinberg and Natalie Nichols Gillespie, note that flying midweek, booking at least 21 days in advance, being flexible with dates, and using Websites such as Orbitz and Cheap Tickets are all good strategies for getting the best deals on airfare.

Ground travel
“Amtrak is a great alternative. There are no baggage fees, snacks are offered, sleeper sofas are available and each seat has an outlet so you can use your laptop, DVD or hand-held video game,” says Nicole Early-Plummer, a travel professional with LTTTravel Connection.

Car rentals
Go directly to the rental car Websites for the best rates.  “Upon locating the online rates, contact the local rental agency to negotiate the best deal,” says Jeff Fortson, editor of JeffCars.com, a car-buying advocacy website for minorities.

In many cases, reserving an economy vehicle in advance at a lower rate almost always ensures a free upgrade. Typically, there aren’t enough economy vehicles in inventory to meet the demand, which leads to free upgrades by the rental agency.  Also, shy away from unnecessary fees associated with rental insurance, pre-paid gas, mileage restrictions, and airport pickup.  And when shopping around for the best deal, make sure to ask if there are any additional fees (such as fuel charges and additional driver fees) that might increase the advertised price.

Hotels, Resorts, and Villas
Like the Staes, if you want more bang for your buck, stay at hotels that feature discount rates, free breakfast, Wi-Fi, and offers where kids stay free. Start with SideStep, a travel and search site that specializes in helping consumers compare the best prices for flights, hotels, rental cars, cruises, and more.  Also search Hotels.com and Kayak.com for comparisons.  When you find a hotel of interest, be sure to go to the hotel company’s main Website to double-check that the discounter is really offering the best price.

Holiday Inn has a special deal for families with kids. Travelers who are 19 and under stay free at all of the company’s hotels.  “The Holiday Inn Express brand has refreshed their properties and offer a wide selection of affordable locations averaging $80 a night,” says Joel Widzer, author of Penny Pincher’s Passport to Luxury Travel (Traveler’s Tales Guides; $12.95).

TripAdvisor.com is a great research tool for checking out hotels and vacation spots beforehand.  The site offers brief reviews written by travelers who’ve been to the hotel or location you’re planning to visit. “I don’t book a hotel without going to Tripadvisor first,” say Nicole Early-Plummer, a travel professional for LTTTravel Connection. Another site Early-Plummer recommends: VillasCaribe.com. “If you’re looking for something different to do with the family, you can rent a five-bedroom, five-bathroom villa in the Caribbean–complete with a cook and housekeeper–for only $1,000 for four days and five nights,” she says.

Beachfront getaways normally charge a premium during the summer. Even so, savvy shoppers can still find a good bargain. Courtyard by Marriott in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, for instance, offers great rates starting at $169 nightly. “Steps from the ocean, guests can enjoy recreational activities that include bike trails, hiking, jet skiing, kayaking, sailing, golfing, surfing, and scuba diving,” says Lisa Dickinson, regional director of sales for Shaner Hotel Group.  See Gordon’s Guide for other discounts on beach resorts in the U.S.

Theme Parks
When in a city with an amusement park, try inquiring at the local grocery store, gas station or visitor’s bureau about discount tickets. About.com has a comprehensive section on its Website, Themeparks.about.com, that gives information on savings at theme parks, water parks and roller coasters throughout the world.  “A couple of Websites specialize in Disney World with incredible detail.  All Ears lists current menus with prices.  And Mouse Savers, which is dedicated to saving money at Disney World, has details about meals, snacks and drinks,” says Teresa Plowright, family vacations writer for About.com.

For free fun and excitement, type 101 things to do and your state into your browser.  Our nation’s capital offers myriad tourist attractions from visiting the Smithsonian and Lincoln Memorial to the National Zoo and Space Museum.  You can also find deals by clicking on the 101 free things to do in Washington D.C. link. “The National monuments, the U.S. Capital building and White House are free also,” says Widzer.  One little-known perk in D.C.: you can contact your member of Congress in advance of your trip to request complimentary tickets to tour the White House.

Take advantage of special discounts
Websites such as MyKidsEatFree.com, KidsMealDeals.com, and KidsEat4Free.com list restaurants that offer kids’ meals free of charge.  Adults can enjoy discounts on dining as well. “A site I’ve recently learned about is CouponMap.com.  For any given location, the site lists available coupons at all sorts of places, including restaurants and attractions,” says Plowright.    There are also discounts for students. Check out Websites such as Student Universe and Contiki.

More Travel Websites for Summer Vacation Deals
Sidestep.com – Searches over 200 travel sites for best deals
Priceline.com – Name your price discounts and best prices guaranteed
Expedia.com – Provides info for researching, planning, and purchasing trip

Leslie Royal is a regular contributor to BlackEnterprise.com.

Each year, the Staes family travels to a different state for Amateur Athletic Union Basketball finals, which doubles as a week-long summer vacation.  Having three children with varying ages and interests—Ethan, 13; Grace, 10; and Holden, 6–the Staes try to have fun without breaking the bank. “When possible, my husband Steven and I rent a home or condo for the week for $600.  We can cook several meals, enjoy the private pool, and use amenities like the game room,” says Michelle, 41. “When we stay at a hotel, we look for discounts and complimentary breakfast.”

Hotels, Resorts, and Villas
Like the Staes, if you want more bang for your buck, stay at hotels that feature discount rates, free breakfast, Wi-Fi, and offers where kids stay free. Start with SideStep, a travel and search site that specializes in helping consumers compare the best prices for flights, hotels, rental cars, cruises, and more.  Also search Hotels.com and Kayak.com for comparisons.  When you find a hotel of interest, be sure to go to the hotel company’s main Website to double-check that the discounter is really offering the best price.

Holiday Inn has a special deal for families with kids. Travelers who are 19 and under stay free at all of the company’s hotels.  “The Holiday Inn Express brand has refreshed their properties and offer a wide selection of affordable locations averaging $80 a night,” says Joel Widzer, author of Penny Pincher’s Passport to Luxury Travel (Traveler’s Tales Guides; $12.95).

TripAdvisor.com is a great research tool for checking out hotels and vacation spots beforehand.  The site offers brief reviews written by travelers who’ve been to the hotel or location you’re planning to visit. “I don’t book a hotel without going to Tripadvisor first,” say Nicole Early-Plummer, a travel professional for LTTTravel Connection. Another site Early-Plummer recommends: VillasCaribe.com. “If you’re looking for something different to do with the family, you can rent a five-bedroom, five-bathroom villa in the Caribbean–complete with a cook and housekeeper–for only $1,000 for four days and five nights,” she says.

Beachfront getaways normally charge a premium during the summer. Even so, savvy shoppers can still find a good bargain. Courtyard by Marriott in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, for instance, offers great rates starting at $169 nightly. “Steps from the ocean, guests can enjoy recreational activities that include bike trails, hiking, jet skiing, kayaking, sailing, golfing, surfing, and scuba diving,” says Lisa Dickinson, regional director of sales for Shaner Hotel Group.  See Gordon’s Guide for other discounts on beach resorts in the U.S.

In Part 3, we’ll give you tips on how to entertain the kids without breaking the bank.

Leslie Royal is a regular contributor to BlackEnterprise.com.

Michael V. and Steven C. Roberts

Founded by brothers Michael V. and Steven C. Roberts, the Roberts Hotels Group (No. 54 on the B.E. 100s Industrial/Service list with $80 million in assets) now has almost 1,000 hotel rooms in 12 hotels across the U.S. Choice branded hotels will comprise more than 40% of the Roberts Hotels Group’s portfolio.

“The Roberts Hotels Group enjoys a wonderful working relationship with Choice Hotels,” said Michael Roberts. “They are professional, market flexible, and reasonable to work with.  We will purchase more properties in the future with Choice as our franchisor.

Roberts Hotels Group’s properties include the Comfort Inn and Conference Center hotel of Tampa, Florida, and the Clarion Hotel of Shreveport, Louisiana. In addition, the company has three properties slated to open in 2009—the Comfort Inn & Suites hotel of Fort Myers, Florida, the Roberts Benchmark Clarion Hotel of Memphis, Tennessee, and the Roberts Walthall Clarion Hotel of Jackson, Mississippi.

“Mike and Steve Roberts are two of the nation’s most successful entrepreneurs therefore we make this announcement with great pride and respect,” said Brian Parker, a vice president with Choice Hotels International. “Their continued investment into the Choice Hotels system is a testament to the strength of our corporate culture, value of our brands, and commitment to diverse franchise ownership.”

The Roberts Cos., parent company of Roberts Group Hotels, is a multifaceted enterprise that includes hotels and conference centers, shopping centers, residential development, as well as television stations, a radio station, a cellular broadcast tower company, and an aviation company. Choice Hotels International franchises more than 5,700 hotels, representing more than 465,000 rooms in the United States, and more than 35 countries and territories.

The business partners and brothers were named Emerging Entrepreneurs of the Year by Ernst & Young in 2007 for expanding St. Louis, Missouri-based Roberts Hotels Group from a single hotel — the historic Mayfair hotel in downtown St. Louis — in 2003 to nearly a dozen properties in the Midwest and South in less than five years.

In 2006, the brothers netted more than $100 million on the sale of their shares in Alamosa Holdings Inc., the nation’s largest Sprint PCS affiliate.

If you’re a busy family and you want someone to take care of all the travel arrangements, use a travel agent, says Betty Price, CEO of Kola Nut Travel (http://www.kolanut.com) in Inglewood, Calif. “Agents can take care of last-minute charges or help if any problems arise.” Be sure to work with a reputable travel agent who has certifications and whose company has the proper insurance, she adds.

When booking a hotel for the family, do some research, advises Cathi Young, owner and event planner at Richmond, Virginia-based Make My Day (www.2makemyday.com). “Make sure the hotel is in a safe location. Ask if they offer special meal deals. Is there a pool on-site and is it monitored?” Young says. “Call the hotel and find out as much information you can, not only about the property but also the destination. You want a safe, fun, and friendly hotel.”

The Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach (http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/PalmBeach), has the modern luxuries that adults love, as well as new programs just for kids and teens. Its Kids AquaNuts program offers supervised physical and creative activities for children ages 5-12. Amenities include a dedicated playroom, computers, music, and costumes. Also, an all-day camp keeps the kids busy with activities. For teens (ages 13-17), there’s a lounge called Coast where they can create their own DJ mix and upload it to their iPod, play video games, surf the Internet, play billiards, and become a radio DJ. There’s also a teen-friendly nightclub. For the grown-ups, the Ritz features spa services and golf.

While the decor is ultra-modern and sleek, most Novotel Hotels (http://www.novotel.com) offer special rooms for families of four. Breakfast is free for two children under the age of 16 staying in their parents’ room. Novotel has also designed modern, colorful play areas.

Teenagers can be hard to please. But Loews Hotels (www.loewshotels.com) has a program they promise will keep them engaged. At select locations, exclusive one- and two-night Edu-cation Packages offer entertaining educational activities in which teens can learn anything from surfing to songwriting. The hotels also offer “Loews Loves Kids” featuring a variety of programs and services, including game lending libraries, special children’s menus, tours, Fisher-Price gifts, and supervised recreational programs. Loews also features a special pet program, allowing families to bring their furry family member along.

The Starwood family of hotels (www.starwood.com), which includes Sheraton, Westin, and St. Regis,just announced “Love Your Family” (www.FamilyFunSpecials.com) at 29 resorts in the U.S. and the Caribbean. Beginning this summer, “Love Your Family” will include three signature hotel experiences–fireside storytelling, stargazing, and “Dive-In Movies.” There are connecting rooms so kids can stay in one and parents in the other, food and beverage discounts, and special packages–all organized by the resort’s newly appointed “director of fun,” who will coordinate all family activities. Another perk: “Parent’s Night Out.” While the children enjoy their own big night out, dining with other kids and enjoying counselor-led activities, the parents get alone time.

Residence Inn by Marriott (http://www.marriott.com/residence-inn/travel.mi) has become known as the hotel offering a “home away from home.” The hotel’s family appeal has to do with the amenities, with suite accommodations that are 50% larger than standard hotel rooms and feature separate living, working, dining, and sleeping areas. Varying locations include fully equipped kitchens. The chain also offers a complimentary daily breakfast buffet, weekday social hours, complimentary grocery shopping, and an on-site coin laundry, fitness centers, pools, and multi-use Sport Courts.

The Holiday Inn (www.HolidayInn.com) lets kids stay free and offers free meals for children ages 12 and under at on-site restaurants. Some locations even have special kid-friendly suites, such as the Nickelodeon-themed Family Suite in Orlando.

If you’re heading to Canada, a stay at the country’s largest hotel chain, The Delta Hotels (www.deltahotels.com), might just satisfy the whole crew. While most family friendly hotels offer on-site pools, The Delta has gone one further by offering a waterslide at varying locations. The Delta Chelsea in downtown Toronto, for example, features a 130-foot waterslide. For adults who want a quiet pool experience, the hotel has an adults-only pool on a separate floor. Other family amenities include on-site coin laundry, free stays for kids, free dining for children under age 5, discount dining for children ages 7-12, babysitting services, and the Chelsea Kids Camp. The hotel also offers “Family Night at the Movies,” where a conference room is turned into a theater, complete with popcorn. Pets are also welcome. “We have Family Fun Suites,” says Tracy Ford, public relations manager at the Delta Chelsea. “The apartment-style suites include two bedrooms, a kitchen, living room, and a play area for children. We also provide an Xbox for video games.”

Thinking about a Caribbean getaway? This summer, SuperClubs Resorts (www.superclubs.com) has a “Kids Stay, Play & Eat Free” promotion (May 1 to December 22), where children ages 2-13 can stay free. Each SuperClub also has unique family activities and packages. Family Adventures at Starfish Trelawny Beach in Jamaica, for example, offers teens a private island hideaway, windsurfing, and flying trapeze lessons. At the hotel’s Kid’s Club, supervised, age-specific programs keep toddlers entertained, while mom and dad can head to Blue Mahoe Spa for a little pampering.

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