TML14

Hi all:

My husband, baby (11 months in April), and I will be going to Miami for a wedding in April. We are going to fly down a few days early, and, as it also will be our birthdays then, we want to treat ourselves to a nice, upscale resort in Miami or near Miami. Two "Fodor Choices" in Miami are the Ritz Carlton in Key Biscayne and Acqualina in North Miami Beach. Any thoughts on these?

Also, we are hoping that whatever hotel we choose will be in a nice surrounding area (pretty beaches, good views, nice restaurants and shops, etc.). We would appreciate any input on what Key Biscayne, South Beach, and North Beach are like. Also, if there are any nearby resort towns that you recommend instead of either of these locations, we would be interested in hearing about that too.

Thank you for your help!

Best regards,
TML

MiamiBeachMomma

Acqualina is in Sunny Isles Beach. Which geographically is North of Miami Beach. Sunny Isles is basically A1A (Collins Avenue) with many hotels and condos on the beach side an strip malls on the west side. The resort is lovely and the pool and spa and great. I'm pretty sure Il Mulino is the restaurant in the hotel, which is upscale Italian.
SIB is a 20-30 minute drive to South Beach depending on traffic.
I cant comment too much on Key Biscayne - I really don't head down in that direction.

tom42

I've stayed at the Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne. Very nice property - typical Ritz Carlton. One of the pools is a gradual entry type - would be perfect for your 11 month old to sit and frolic a bit. Not much around the hotel as far as shops, etc, but Miami Beach is only about 10 miles away.

jamierin

Key Biscayne is a terrific place for a family vacation. The beach is wonderful. I have not stayed at the Ritz but have enjoyed meals there poolside and it is a beautiful property. I have also enjoyed their fitness center and taken a few classes there.

As mentioned above there is not much in the way of shopping on Key Biscayne, but Coral Gables is very close, as is Coconut Grove and even South Beach isn't too far.

As for dining, there are a few good places on the Key (Sushi Siam is one) and again, Coral Gables has loads of good restaurants and is 15 to 20 minutes away by car.

I don't really like Sunny Isles as much.

TML14

Thank you MiamiBeachMomma, Tom42, and Jamierin! Your input is very much appreciated!

jamierin

Do post back to let us know where you are going. If you end up in Key Biscayne I can give you more recs for dining

TML14

We decided to go with the Ritz in Key Biscayne. I would appreciate dining recommendations. Thank you!

jamierin

Hi TML14,

I will post a list for you. I am assuming that you will have a car to get aroound?

jamierin

1. On the Key:

For breakfast you can do Donut Gallery (hole in the wall diner) or La Boulangerie (french - croissants and great cafe au lait)

For dinner there is Costa Med, Sushi Siam and Novecento (I haven't been to Novecento but have heard good things - it is Argentinian)

2. In Coral Gables:

There is a great place in the Gables called Ortanique which has very unique and delicious food.

There are also tons of other options in this area depending on what type of food you are looking for. You can check on other foodie websites for recs for specific types of food.

3. In the Design District:

This is a cool area with lots of restaurants

Dinner - Michael’s Genuine - http://www.michaelsgenuine.com/

Cocktails + Dining - http://www.sramartinez.com/ Get a mojito!

General Info about the area - http://www.miamidesigndistrict.net/index.php

4. In South Beach:

Sardinia – Italian http://sardinia-ristorante.com/

Osteria Teatro – Italian http://osteriadelteatromiami.com/

Joe’s Stone Crab – classic place - long line ups! http://www.joesstonecrab.com/

Tudor House – new – don’t know much about it http://www.tudorhousemiami.com/

The Dutch – new – really new http://www.thedutchmiami.com/

Casa Tua – nice place, a favourite for the atmosphere http://www.casatualifestyle.com/miami/ Check out the website!

There are lots of other places too, Prime 112, Nobu, BLT at the Betsy Hotel

Most of the places listed for South Beach are pretty upscale/expensive and will require reservations. (think the Dutch is more casual but it is new so I haven't been)

One note about Joe's - you can do take-out there and have a picnic - if you do this don't miss the key lime pie.

Have a great time.

TML14

Thank you, Jamierin. It was very nice of you to the post the restaurant list. I will take it with me!