Where Are the Noisy Hotels in South Beach? - And Phoning Miami Beach's “Noise Police”

Music at Gansevoort Hotel, Miami

The South Beach of area of Miami Beach is party town, so if you want to avoid noisy hotels a little research is necessary. An expensive hotel is no longer necessarily a quiet hotel these days.

Noise at Upmarket Hotel
I have experienced noise problems from the comparatively upmarket Gansevoort Hotel in Miami Beach, and I live several blocks away.

Help from the “Noise Police”
But if you make enquires in advance about whether there is loud music in or near a hotel before booking a room and nevertheless encounter that pervasive bass of techno or house music, thumping away till it's driving you crazy, help is at hand from the “noise police.”

Of course that isn't their real name. Officially they're the enforcement section of Miami Beach Police Department.

Dates to Avoid in Miami Beach
Particularly noisy times are weekends or when there is a bigger than usual influx of tourists, for example over the Memorial Day weekend and during the Spring Break holidays. These week-long holidays are at different times in different areas, so Miami Beach can be packed with visitors whooping it up for several weeks, but the busiest time is likely to be early to mid-March.

Ultra Music Festival
Then there are special events such as the Ultra Music Festival (or UltraFest) in March, organized by Colorado-based Beatport and Beta Nightclub. During this electronic music event I could hear music from the Gansevoort Hotel inside my apartment several blocks away, with the doors and windows closed and the television on.

An Ultra Music Festival Facebook page stated, “Top DJs from all around the world will be spinning day and night at clubs, hotels and at open pool parties.”

Noise from Traffic and Revellers
In addition to loud music, there is also the possibility of noise from late-night revellers in the street or traffic crawling along, drivers beeping their horns impatiently. Sometimes there are traffic jams until the early hours of the morning.

Late-night traffic noise could potentially be a nuisance anywhere in South Beach at weekends and during holidays such as the Memorial Day weekend and Spring Break, particularly on Ocean Drive, Collins Avenue, Washington Avenue and Alton Road.

How to Avoid Noisy Hotels
So here are a few tips on avoiding noisy hotels:

• Ask about music and other noise before booking.
• Get an assurance by email or letter that the hotel is in a quiet area.
• Don't assume that an expensive hotel is necessarily a quiet one.
• Keep away from the danger areas for noise.
• Avoid holiday dates favoured by partying revellers.
• Check if there are special disco-type music events.

Noise from South Beach Clubs and Discos
A lot of people come to Miami Beach for the nightlife, so do a Google search for clubs and discos to see if there's one near the hotel you're considering staying at. Most of the clubs and discos are in the South Beach area.

Quieter Areas of Miami Beach
Therefore if you book a hotel on or around Collins Avenue to the north of 26th Street you could be in a quieter area.

There are plenty of buses and taxis on Collins Avenue. Alternatively it's just a 20-minute walk from 26th Street to the shops, restaurants and bars of Lincoln Road, or from 41st Street a bit over half an hour.

Loud Poolside Music
Nevertheless, still ask about music such as poolside discos before booking.

In the heart of South Beach, on Collins Avenue, between 15th Street and 21st Street, some big expensive hotels have loud music by their pools, so a room overlooking Collins Avenue might be quieter than one with an ocean view.

Complaining About Noise
If despite any assurances you have been given by the hotel you are still plagued by noise, then phone the enforcement section of Miami Beach Police Department on 305 673 8285. This is a 24-hour number.

Police Will Measure Noise Level
They will take notice, sending an officer with an instrument to measure the noise level. You're not being a nuisance, as this is a special department to deal with excessive noise, so it's their job. Should the noise persist, phone again.

The 11 pm Rule
Some offenders think that they are allowed to make as much as noise as they want up till 11 pm, particularly if they have permission from the City of Miami Beach for a special event. This is not true.

Noise Levels Apply Any Time of the Day
There are maximum noise levels at any time of the day, and the police do enforce the rules. After 11 pm the rules are stricter.

Fines and Concert Shut Down
Complaining to the police enforcement section can stop noise, no matter how big the event is. During the Ultra Music Festival, thousands of young people descended on the Gansevoort Hotel in Miami Beach for an open-air concert with extremely loud music.

After a number of phone calls from local residents the organizers were fined, and when they failed to control the noise, the concert was shut down.

Don't Be Put Off Coming to Miami Beach
I have lived in Miami Beach for years, and have only experienced noise problems occasionally, more often from partying neighbours than loud music.

So don't be put off coming to Miami Beach, even South Beach. But do make enquires in advance to avoid a ruined holiday.