Kathyngs

My husband and an old college friend are fulfilling a dream to go to spring training--as spectators, of course. They'll be flying into Orlando from Washington, DC, and Hartford, CT, and attending games in both Viera (near Melbourne) and Vero Beach. Should they stay in between the two? Recommendations for mid-range hotels and/or restaurants would be appreciated!

BWBlakely

The town of Sebastian is just about dead center between the two. Just search the web for hotels there. I would think that hotels on the beach would run the most, with prices going down as they head west towards I-95.

321go

Just to give you a feel for distance, I live in the Viera area and it's about a 45-50 minute drive to Vero. The stadium in Viera used to be out in the middle of a cow pasture, but there's been a LOT of development in the last few years and there. There is a Holiday Inn at I-95 and Wickham Rd (the exit for the stadium) that is pleasant, though nothing special. In Melbourne itself, there is a Courtyard on 192 - on a rather dreary stretch of road - and a Hilton by the Melbourne airport.
Unfortunately there's not a whole lot once you get south of Palm Bay until you hit Vero. I don't know Sebastian well enough to recommend anything there.

Let me know what kind of food you like and I can give you some restaurant recommendations. Your husband and friend will really love the spring training games - it's a lot of fun!

Kathyngs

Thanks very much! The Radisson Suite Hotel Oceanfront in Melbourne has been highly recommended to them, so that might be the choice. As far as restaurants go, my husband likes seafood, Italian, Thai--just about anything except Mexican; his friend is a meat-and-potatoes guy, so it's a toss-up. They prefer good local restaurants to chains like Olive Garden. It's likely they'll be in Melbourne, so if you have any ideas, they'd love to hear them.

321go

Here are a few possibilities, all in Indialantic (the town just south of the Radisson): City Tropics Bistro, Islands Fish Grill, Stuarts Bistro.

Kathyngs

These look like good choices. I see on their website that the people who own City Tropics Bistro also have Djon's Chophouse in Melbourne. I think my husband's friend would like that.

321go

I hope they have a great time!