miami in Dec.
Nov 15th, 2006, 03:54 PM
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miami in Dec.
Husband has meetings at the Wyndham Grand Bay Hotel in Coconut grove for about 3 days beginning Dec.12. I'm Looking forward to escaping Canadian Dec. winds and flurries, but I think I'm not thrilled with either the hotel or the location for me to have fun in the sun while he meets.
Any recommendations for places to stay (in South Beach maybe...I'm told this is the place to stay) that would nice for me to walk a beach and have fun and also have easy transit for him to get back and forth?) Husband loves a brisk walk but I gather this is too far for even him! We may also tack on a day or two at the end of meetings ---A great day trip perhaps? Any suggestions would be most appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
Any recommendations for places to stay (in South Beach maybe...I'm told this is the place to stay) that would nice for me to walk a beach and have fun and also have easy transit for him to get back and forth?) Husband loves a brisk walk but I gather this is too far for even him! We may also tack on a day or two at the end of meetings ---A great day trip perhaps? Any suggestions would be most appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
Nov 15th, 2006, 04:03 PM
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No he couldn't walk because the only route is a very busy six lane highway bridge with no pedestrian walkway. Chances are better than 50/50 he'd die trying to walk over.
What is your budget for a hotel? Mid December you should be able to find a good moderate hotel (South Beach has a ton of uber luxury hotels and the moderate hotels would be luxury digs in any other location) for around $200 or less.
Check out:
The Townhouse
Doubletree Surfcomber
The Loews
The Raleigh
What is your budget for a hotel? Mid December you should be able to find a good moderate hotel (South Beach has a ton of uber luxury hotels and the moderate hotels would be luxury digs in any other location) for around $200 or less.
Check out:
The Townhouse
Doubletree Surfcomber
The Loews
The Raleigh
Nov 15th, 2006, 05:20 PM
#3
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He's far too special to risk those 50-50 odds!
Thanks for the hotel suggestions - I will look them up.
We have a fairly healthy travel budget --should we stay at the Wyndham in Coconut Grove? Or perhaps the Ritz I think it is, across the street? Or should we stay in South Beach?
My husband is prepared to stay in the nicest location for me, and us for a day or two following the meetings, as long as he has easy transport (public?) to the Wyndham where his meetings will take place.
Many thanks!
Thanks for the hotel suggestions - I will look them up.
We have a fairly healthy travel budget --should we stay at the Wyndham in Coconut Grove? Or perhaps the Ritz I think it is, across the street? Or should we stay in South Beach?
My husband is prepared to stay in the nicest location for me, and us for a day or two following the meetings, as long as he has easy transport (public?) to the Wyndham where his meetings will take place.
Many thanks!
Nov 16th, 2006, 05:59 AM
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The nicest places to stay:
The Mandarin Oriental (Brickell Key which is an island in Biscayne Bay just off the mainland)
The Setai (South Beach)
Ritz Carlton Biscayne Bay
Ritz Carlton Coconut Grove
Ritz Carlton South Beach
The Tides (South Beach
Hotel Victor (South Beach)
The Shore Club (South Beach)
The Standard Hotel (also an island in Biscayne Bay)
All of the above would be a short commute to Coconut Grove and the beaches.
If you want lux, don't go with the Wyndham. The Setai and Mandarin Oriental would be my first two choices.
The Mandarin Oriental (Brickell Key which is an island in Biscayne Bay just off the mainland)
The Setai (South Beach)
Ritz Carlton Biscayne Bay
Ritz Carlton Coconut Grove
Ritz Carlton South Beach
The Tides (South Beach
Hotel Victor (South Beach)
The Shore Club (South Beach)
The Standard Hotel (also an island in Biscayne Bay)
All of the above would be a short commute to Coconut Grove and the beaches.
If you want lux, don't go with the Wyndham. The Setai and Mandarin Oriental would be my first two choices.
Nov 16th, 2006, 06:48 AM
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Thnx!! Does "commute" mean car rental or is there good public tranit? Is it true that Coconut Grove would not be the best location to stay in - even though meetings are there? Is South Beach the best area? Thnx Any recommendations for restaurants also appreciated.
Dec 5th, 2006, 04:32 PM
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OK -- time is so short we've decided to stay in Coconut Grove so my husband can just walk back to the hotel after his meetings ---or between during the day.
Meetings are at the Wyndham --we can stay there ---prefer the Ritz but I'm on a waiting list for a standard room. Should I be looking at another hotel nearby? (within walking distance?)
Will I find lots to do in coconut grove while he's in meetings?
Thankyou!
Meetings are at the Wyndham --we can stay there ---prefer the Ritz but I'm on a waiting list for a standard room. Should I be looking at another hotel nearby? (within walking distance?)
Will I find lots to do in coconut grove while he's in meetings?
Thankyou!
Dec 6th, 2006, 06:23 AM
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Try the Sonesta Hotel & Suites. It's about 2 1/2 blocks from the Grand Bay (Wyndam Hotel).
Here are a few things to do while in the Grove:
First and foremost, stick to the touristy areas and do not past 32nd Avenue while on Grand.
Restaurants: Have breakfast at the Greenstreet Cafe or at any of the quaint outdoor cafe's along Main Highway. For lunch or dinner I recommend The Knife (Argentinian Restaurant), Jaguar, Tu Tu Tango and Cheesecake Factory. At the Sonesta, there's a restaurant called Panorama which has sweeping views of Biscayne Bay...
For more upscale dining there's Baleens at 1 Grove Isle and also Biscaya at the Ritz. (Baleens is VERY romantic, especially if you ask for a table steps away from the bay.)
For fun, try Happy Hour at Monty's and stick around for the Reggae Band which starts to plays around 8:00 PM.
Things to do within walking distance: Visit the marina, walk the Grove, hang out at Cocowalk and grab a frozen drink at Fat Tuesdays and don't miss visiting The Barnacle.
Vizcaya Museum is a must see, but it's approximately 2 miles down the road. Would not recommend walking --grab a cab instead.
If you have a rental car, head to Key Biscayne and visit Cape Florida National Park and take a tour of the lighthouse.
Hope that helps! Have a great time.
;-)
Here are a few things to do while in the Grove:
First and foremost, stick to the touristy areas and do not past 32nd Avenue while on Grand.
Restaurants: Have breakfast at the Greenstreet Cafe or at any of the quaint outdoor cafe's along Main Highway. For lunch or dinner I recommend The Knife (Argentinian Restaurant), Jaguar, Tu Tu Tango and Cheesecake Factory. At the Sonesta, there's a restaurant called Panorama which has sweeping views of Biscayne Bay...
For more upscale dining there's Baleens at 1 Grove Isle and also Biscaya at the Ritz. (Baleens is VERY romantic, especially if you ask for a table steps away from the bay.)
For fun, try Happy Hour at Monty's and stick around for the Reggae Band which starts to plays around 8:00 PM.
Things to do within walking distance: Visit the marina, walk the Grove, hang out at Cocowalk and grab a frozen drink at Fat Tuesdays and don't miss visiting The Barnacle.
Vizcaya Museum is a must see, but it's approximately 2 miles down the road. Would not recommend walking --grab a cab instead.
If you have a rental car, head to Key Biscayne and visit Cape Florida National Park and take a tour of the lighthouse.
Hope that helps! Have a great time.
;-)
Dec 10th, 2006, 12:52 PM
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Thanks so much for the help! Still dithering about whether or not to accompany my husband (so close to Christmas). Have a reservation at the Ritz --- I may fly a day later and then we stay on a day and rent a car. I really appreciate all the advice..including restaurants. I'm told there's some sort of metro-rail that might take me to shopping? Love Target which we don't have up here in Canada! Thnx
Dec 10th, 2006, 01:26 PM
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Do yourself a favor and avoid all public transportation in the Greater Miami area. Cabs and car rentals are the way to go, especially as money doesn't seem to be a consideration.
I would recommend that you eat at the Chart House right in Coconut Grove--it's on the water in a beautiful setting. Best salad bar anywhere (there's caviar on it--nuff said!) and terrific seafood.
I would recommend that you eat at the Chart House right in Coconut Grove--it's on the water in a beautiful setting. Best salad bar anywhere (there's caviar on it--nuff said!) and terrific seafood.
Dec 21st, 2006, 09:26 AM
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Back from Coconut Grove and thoroughly enjoyed our stay, even though we saw little of that Florida sunshine!
The Ritz-Carleton was outstanding. Lovely accomodations and friendliest staff we've ever encountered.
Jaguar restaurant --excellent ceviche. Tu Tu Tango - fabulous lunch. But Baleen's...oh my. A magical evening with the most delicious meal.
Friends had advised us to stay in South Beach - happy we did not. We taxied there and walked for a couple of hours. Weather was not great so I think we didn't experience the true South Beach, but we much preferred our location in C.G. In South Beach we lunched at the not inexpensive "Cafeteria" on Lincoln St. Order was terribly botched and we discovered they had tacked on an automatic 18% gratuity (subtley indicated on the bill) with a most obvious place to fill in a Tip! By the time my meal arrived my husband had finished his. No offer to compensate for this, and husband doesn't like confrontations in restaurants so.....
One minor glitch in an otherwise great little getaway and I thank everyone for their tips. Merry Christmas!
The Ritz-Carleton was outstanding. Lovely accomodations and friendliest staff we've ever encountered.
Jaguar restaurant --excellent ceviche. Tu Tu Tango - fabulous lunch. But Baleen's...oh my. A magical evening with the most delicious meal.
Friends had advised us to stay in South Beach - happy we did not. We taxied there and walked for a couple of hours. Weather was not great so I think we didn't experience the true South Beach, but we much preferred our location in C.G. In South Beach we lunched at the not inexpensive "Cafeteria" on Lincoln St. Order was terribly botched and we discovered they had tacked on an automatic 18% gratuity (subtley indicated on the bill) with a most obvious place to fill in a Tip! By the time my meal arrived my husband had finished his. No offer to compensate for this, and husband doesn't like confrontations in restaurants so.....
One minor glitch in an otherwise great little getaway and I thank everyone for their tips. Merry Christmas!
Dec 21st, 2006, 10:21 AM
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I had a bad experience at Cafeteria as well. Chose the place because of a particular item on the menu. We were seated, and when we went to order they weren't serving it!
Glad you had a good time!
Glad you had a good time!
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