I will be in Miami at U of Miami for a conference 2/18-2/23, and taking my wife and 5 month old. I would like a hotel that has a pool, not old (at least doesn't smell old - wife is sensitive to odors) and where she can take the baby for a nice walk (she'll be carless as I'll be using it). Was looking at Coconut Grove or Coral Gables, but open to anything.

Thanks for any suggestions!

Those are your best suggestions for being close to UM.

Coral Gables would be more quiet....nice shopping/strolling on Miracle Mile. The Colonnade or the Hyatt would be good locations.

The Biltmore is a beautiful older hotel with a great pool, but in a more residential area....it's an older hotel, but can't comment on if it smells....I don;t think so, but your wife might be able to pick something up.

The Grove is a bit more lively....nice walking paths down by the Marina and City Hall. Several hotels right there in the Grove. Sonesta, Double tree, Ritz Carlton, Mayfair, Mutiny etc...

Does the conference have a hotel arrangement? I ask because this is peak season, and hotels will be expensive and perhaps difficult to find.

My wife and I just got back from a stay at the Hampton Inn in Coconut Grove but very convenient to Coral Gables.

It was fresh, clean, had a lovely pool. The staff were outstanding, warm, friendly, smiling!

Not much of any place to walk nearby, but there is an elevated train directly across US 1 (1 block) that will take you directly to U Miami so she can have the car!

Just around the corner is Pollo Tropical, a "fast food" place not to be missed, since it specializes in grilled fresh chicken at prices academics will love.

Now the bad news: even the Hampton Inn was more than $200 per night.

Thanks for the response!

The Hyatt and Colonnade are unavailable for those dates. As for Coconut Grove, I believe the Mayfair pool is under renovation, and the Sonesta and RC are out of price range. Mutiny has had very mixed reviews (as do all the hotels it seems). I reserved a room at the Doubletree in CG, but it's a single double bed. Looks like it will be tough to find a place due to the busy time.

I have also reserved rooms at the Hampton Inn in CG and the Marriott in Biscayne bay. I'm starting to read there's not much in the way of walking around at the Marriott. Better off with the Hampton Inn?

You don't want to stay downtown.

Stick with the Doubletree or Hampton Inn.

Hampton Inn in the Grove will have a bigger room than the Doubletree (Whose design still baffles me from the days I used to work there) but as a previous poster pointed out, not much in walking distance from there, and the pool area is quite small.

The Doubletree is in an excellent location for walking around the Grove.

And I second what GoTravel said, Downtown would not be what you are looking for.

Pick the Doubletree over the Hampton Inn. The Doubletree is easy walking distance to the heart of the Grove and there is a park across the street.
There is a Residence Inn (Marriott) in Coconut Grove that is nicely located as well.
If she wants to drive you to campus, then she should continue on to Fairchild Tropical Gardens and/or Matheson Hammock.

Choose the Doubletree. Pool area is adequate. Nice walking trails across the street and closeby. Vizcaya is nearby as is Fairchild Tropical Garden. Close to Coral Gables.