Thank you to all that offered advice. We had a wonderful trip. Stayed at the Breakers which is like staying at a palace... the history of this place, and the art and tapestries are remarkable. The conference people leave much to be desired. Alas, they are necessary to keep this grand dame going.

Loved Echo so much we went 2 nights......fresh wasabi and the best sake martinis and ginger martinis I've encountered. Everything was amazing, yellowtail, our favorite! Tabboo was great at the bar, dining with the locals. Johnny G's offered me the most amazing granola french toast and from there we jumped into the ocean....47degrees........72degrees water......amazing!!!!!!!!!

What do you mean, "...the conference people leave much to be desired?" Too much "common folk" for your tastes?

Carol, I think Lou prob means that where there are "conference people" there tend to be a lot of "team building" games/activities going on. The "conference people" take over the choice pool areas & beach for activities, lunches, dinners, etc. We were @ The Sheraton Bal Harbour when "the conference people" from a major US multinational technology
corporation arrived....all 200 of them! Totally ruined our last 2 days for which the Sheraton compensated us. Anyway....to me that's what "the conference people leave much to be desired" means!

The point about the atmosphere changing because of a conference is valid. I've been at conferences were some of the attendees view it as a chance to relive their frat days. That doesn't always happen, but sometimes it does. You get 40 or 50 people in the bar who happen to know each other and it can definately change the character of the room.

Large groups can overwhelm the facilties, I was at a meeting a few years ago at the Ritz in Naples and the pool area was closed three nights straight a 4 so that we could have dinner and cocktails.

Of course, on the flip side, the revenues generated from groups does help to offset the cost of running the place.

Yup, loud drunk conventioners can certainly change even the most beautiful surroundings. Never mind the " I want everyone to know I'm talking on the cell phone really loud" people!