MIAMI or not???
 

I have the opportunity to join my husband for a 3-day conference in Miami. We would be staying (and the conference is located in) the Hotel Inter Continental. Their website states that they are "adjacent" to the Bayside Marketplace. Does "adjacent" signify next door, a 5 minute walk, or a 20 minute walk? The reason I ask is that I am well aware of the safety issues in Miami. Family living in Ft. Lauderdale even say that it's not exactly the safest area to be in. I am trying to decide if it's worth escaping frigid New England for 3 days, only to be stuck at the hotel pool fearful of walking to this mall or even being at the mall (since I understand it's a real tourist trap). I must decide by tomorrow so any feedback is greatly appreciated!

If you have to ask if a trip to Miami is worth escaping frigid New England, then you should probably stay home.

To the best of my recollection, Bayside is a short walk (less than 5 minutes) from the Intercontinental. Whatever ``safety issues'' in Miami you're speaking of are old news. Bayside is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the area. Like most downtown areas of any major city there are good parts and dicey parts. Bayside is not a place you have to worry about. You're right on beautiful Biscayne Bay and can take a boat ride after you're done shopping and eating at Bayside. If you have a car or want to take a taxi, you're also very close to Miami Beach. Take a drive across the bridge and do the South Beach thing while you're there. I lived in South Florida for three years and loved it. Never had any ``safety issues.'' This is the best time of year to be there.

<BR>Go and enjoy yourself! If you get bored you can always take a taxi to Miami Beach or Coconut Grove.

Michele, go and have a good time. The weather has been great & there is a lot to do in the area you are staying. Talk to the people at your hotel for best ways to get to S. Beach, Coconut Grove, etc. Miami has some bad pockets,like any city, that you'll not want to be in--obviously you'll want to avoid these. Just be smart about carrying your $$ & being aware of your surroundings--like in any other city. As for being stuck at the pool--I bet there's about 6 million people in NE who would love to be sipping a drink & floating in a pool right about now! I don't know if your plans include this weekend, but it is supposed to be a little chilly down here this weekend. If you decide to come, have a great time.

With exception to "Doh!", many thanks to all of your responses, especially Sabrina. I really appreciate your guidance and it's one of the reasons I enjoy Fodor's forums.

Hey! I just got back from a week at the Intercontinental! It is a gorgeous hotel. The pool level is about 5 stories up, and pretty classy with a winding garden path area, hammocks as well as chaises. Conference attendees would be wise to bring sweaters/sweatshirts to wear in conference rooms as it gets COLD inside. The walk to Bayside Market is delightful, and takes about 10 minutes unless you get distracted watching the cruise ships, or fashion shoots around the fountains/docks. We always have meetings from 8AM-noon, then get to go on selected excursions. One was a water taxi ride all around the port of Miami, and around Star Island, where Gloria Estafan, Julio Iglesias, Rosie O'Donnell, and other luminaries have beautiful waterfront homes. We also went on a tour of Viskaya which was a mansion build in 1914 that is really worth the trip. The gardens were almost more extraordinary than the house! Enjoy Miami. Take a cab to South Beach one night and have drinks at the Delano (hotel owned by Madonna), and dinner somewhere across from the beach, to people watch.

Diane,<P> <BR>MANY thanks for your comments! I believe they will be my ticket out of 0 degree weather with a windchill of -27! <P>Now if I can only get over this perpetual fear of flying... I've flown many times but it's a hell of a process to go through when terrified. <BR>Thanks again! :-)

Keep reminding yourself that flying is FAR safer than driving!

While on the beach, remember how much you like underwater activity. Perhaps the pool has a waterfall! Be warm...enjoy.