shelleyk

Hi all,
As part of a 2 week trip to Florida I am planning to visit Shark Valley. I would like to know if the Hyatt in Coral Gables or the Hyatt on East 2nd Ave in Miami is a better location for this trip. Also, has anyone either stayed at either of these hotels or have any comments concerning them.. I have 2 free Hyatt nights I want to use.

J62

Hyatt Coral gables is closer to Shark Valley then Hyatt Miami.

Ackislander

It is also in a beautiful location.

shelleyk

Thank you for your replies.

NeoPatrick

I've always liked the Hyatt Coral Gables, but haven't stayed in the Miami one. Yes, Coral Gables is a bit closer, and in my book a much nicer place to get out a bit and explore.

shelleyk

Any recommendations for restaurants near the Coral Gables Hyatt would be appreciated. We will have a car, but would prefer to walk, if it is a safe to do so in the evening.

Dave0099

There is effectively NO difference in travel time between the two. You will want to take the turnpike, and access to that is about the same when you consider drive time and not distance.

Straight shot access from the downtown location right onto I95 then the expressway west to the turnpike, or from Gables...fight the trafic to the expressway and then to the turnpike.

Having said that, the Coral Gables location is far superior. Gables has a great nightlife, plenty of great restaurants all within walking distance. In my opinion its a no brainer to do the Gables location.

Dave0099

Upscale Mexican - Talavera
Spanish - Bulla
Italian - Graziano's
Middle Eastern - Maroosh
American - Hillstone (great locals hangout but good luck getting a seat)
Biltmore for brunch
Caribbean - Ortanique on the Mile

Dave0099

Ha ha just saw your comment about "is it safe in the evening" that is quite funny....you havent been to Gables before have you?

Dangerous only in terms that you might get hit by a Lamborghini or a Porsche if you don't watch yourself crossing the street! Think 90210 of South Fl

shelleyk

Thanks Patrick and Dave for your input. Dave-I've not been to Miami in about 25 years, and never to Coral Gables. I"ve spent most of my winter vacations in Asia, so I could tell you about Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, ect., but I have no idea about what is safe and what is not in Miami. I'm very much looking forward to seeing all the bling in Coral Gables (as well as visiting the Everglades).

NeoPatrick

It's been a few years now, so take this with a grain of salt, but when you asked about restaurants I immediately thought of Ortanique, a really wonderful place. I just looked on TripAdvisor and see it is still ranked #1 in Coral Gables. It was sensational food.

http://ortaniquerestaurants.com/miami/

Dave0099

I think Coral Gables is about as nice as you will ever get for a small community with lots of great dining and galleries and shops within walking distance. I've always been torn about living there, but the draw of having an ocean to look out to from my balcony has kept me anchored at the beach. But still I find myself 50% of the time driving from the beach to Coral Cables for dinner and meeting with friends over some Tapas and wine at Bulla.

If you havnt been here in 25 years you are NOT going to recognize it. I barely recognize it from 5 years ago! Brickell is another area that is trying to reproduce the Gables lifestyle. So much change in so little time.

NeoPatrick

Oh, and although I didn't look it up, Ortanique is a pleasant walk from the Hyatt -- maybe 5 or 6 blocks?

Oh, then there is the old standard for really fine Italian in a very pleasant setting -- La Palma, which is really close to the Hyatt.
http://lapalmarestaurant.net/

Dave0099

never been to La Palma, have to try it sometime. My two favorite Italian restaurants are Carpaccio's in Bal Harbour and Cafe Ragazia. Over on 71st another favorite place is Prima Pasta....but it is really Italian with an Argentinian influence but it really is a cool place, great date place and the owners are really cool. But sorry I digress...not Gables