mary1007

If you have a full 24 hours and stay in the Grove or Gables you might be able to hit the beach in Key Biscayne for about two or three hours. You could go to Crandon Beach or Bill Baggs State Park where there is a lighthouse (tour at 1:00).

HorizonBound

BTW, after several tries on Priceline, I got the Westin Colonnade @ Coral Gables. We will be there this weekend

Now let's just hope we can find an empty spot on the street so I can skip the valet!

NeoPatrick

There are a couple of "city" parking garages near there you might check out as well, but I'm not sure what their overnight charges are. The Colonnade is a pretty place. Enjoy it.

keymom

There is a brand new city garage just a block or two away, on the same street as the hotel (Aragon). With your back to the hotel, the garage is to your left. The garage charges $12 max. for a day. Across from the garage on Aragon is Books & books. It's a great independent bookseller, with wine, coffee, and food. In your strolling, you may want to drop in there for a bit.
Think about making a dinner reservation - Ortanique and Normans are great choices. No reservations are taken at Tarpon Flats - relaxed, seafood place. Great bar there. There's a Starbucks and Einsteins a block or two from the Hotel for breakfast. Heartier breakfast at Gables Diner (also a good place for a low key dinner) www.gablesdiner.com
Enjoy your night in the Gables!

HorizonBound

I started was researching a restaurant from restaurant dot com for Coconut Grove/Coral Gables and Los Ranchos was recommended. Now I have two locations to choose from...

Los Ranchos at CocoWalk
3015 Grand Ave, Coconut Grove, FL, 33133

Los Ranchos of Coral Gables
2728 Ponce de Leon, Coral Gables, FL, 33134

We are staying at the Westin Colonnade (thanks Priceline ) and we will have a rental car. Is the one in Coral Gables in walking distance? Is either restaurant location better? Do we need a reservation for Saturday night?

keymom

The Coral Gables one is indeed within walking distance. Your hotel faces the street to the north called Aragon and is bordered on the south by Miracle Mile, the main street in CG. The street to the west is Ponce de Leon. Los Ranchos is a few blocks south on Ponce (i.e., you will cross Miracle Mile). Be sure someone has the churrasco steak.
The Coconut Grove one is in Cocowalk - a fun entertainment complex. I would pick the Coral Gables one as you don't need to move the car. (IF you go to the Grove, park your car in the Cocowalk garage). You have never explored either area so you might as well start in the Gables.

mary1007

Congrats on the Colonade it is a very nice place. I would make the reservations just in case Saturday nights can get busy. The Coral Gables Los Ranchos is probably the prettiest one of all. The food is good.

Oratanique or Caramelo would probably be a bit more upscale and trendier. You would get more of the S. Florida gourmet cuisine flavor. Both walking distance from your hotel. Tarpon Bend has great fresh seafood also more casual and like right next to you.

BUT Los Ranchos is still a good choice.

HorizonBound

Thanks for the info