Hello all,
My husband and I will leave from Miami on a short three-day cruise in December. We will be coming in a day early to unwind, relax and hopefully enjoy some nice weather and outdoor activities before the trip. We will arrive around noon. Where would be the best place to stay? My first thought is more of a resort to enjoy the amenities but we do have a limited time. I've always wanted to try Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne but I wonder if it's a little too out of the way for this trip. The Ritz Coconut Grove seems to get very mixed reviews. We're also considering the Mandarin Oriental but are also open to other ideas. It doesn't seem like Key Biscayne is that much farther than the others mentioned, however, I don't know how far it is to the cruise dock. We don't want South Beach. Thanks for your help!

bumping after the weekend...

I have stayed at both the RC on Key Biscayne and the Mandarin. I haven't stayed at the RC in Coconut Grove, so can't comment there. The RC on Key Biscayne is very nice - typical RC. It has multiple pools, plus a large tennis center if that is a plus for you. It also has beach access. It sounds like you have already hit on the fact though that it is a bit remote from things. The Mandarin is also a very nice hotel. Rooms are a more modern style than the RC. The Mandarin has a great pool area, but limited beach access. The Mandarin has a great lobby bar and a very good restaurant, Azul, in the hotel. Having said all of that, I would opt for the Mandarin, but would characterize the two hotels as the RC being more of a "typical resort" style hotel whereas the Mandarin is more of an urban hotel with beach/pool/resort elements thrown in.

I really love Coconut Grove but it isn't on the beach. The MO has it's own beach sort of but you can't access the water. Love the hotel tho, it's so cool.

So my pick would have to be RC Key Biscayne. It is just so beautiful out there.

Thank you!