PLease help me decide...

[letsgocruz1]

Flying into MIA on a Sat afternoon for a Sunday cruise. Plane lands at 3:40, hopefully will be at our hotel by 5:00 or earlier. Traveling with dh and 2 kids, 12 and 8.

 

So, not a lot of time but enough to enjoy a great evening! I can't decide to stay downtown for convenience, Coral Gables/Coconut Grove just because I've read it's nice, or go on to South Beach because I've never been there and I think the kids may enjoy walking on the beach in the evening (or is that not a good idea).

 

What I have came up with so far is to stay downtown, run over to Bayside for some dinner and come back to the hotel and let the kids swim, then get a good nights rest.

 

Any suggestions? where to stay? What to do? I have tried priceline but nothing yet, I think its too early for the last of May. Easyclicktravel has the new Epic hotel for $129 for the 4 of us. Thanks for any help you may provide.

 

*should mention we are going back to Miami in Oct for one night pre-cruise. Going w/another couple so that may be a good time to try out SoBe?

[megr1125]

if it were me,......i'd go for coconut grove...lots of places to eat there too!

 

IMO you're getting in kind of late to do/see much in SoBe, but that's just me....

 

we liked coconut grove....walkable...fun.....

 

OR...many people stay at the holiday inn across from bayside...that's another thougt. (i'm not a big bayside lover...just don't see the attraction...again, that's just me! kids may like bubba gumps or the hard rock though..)

[letsgocruz1]

if it were me,......i'd go for coconut grove...lots of places to eat there too!

 

IMO you're getting in kind of late to do/see much in SoBe, but that's just me....

 

we liked coconut grove....walkable...fun.....

 

OR...many people stay at the holiday inn across from bayside...that's another thougt. (i'm not a big bayside lover...just don't see the attraction...again, that's just me! kids may like bubba gumps or the hard rock though..)

 

Yeah I am not a Bayside fan either. I mean, its an okay place to kill a few hours but I don't see the appeal. I was just thinking of going there for dinner because I don't know where else to go :o I am looking at Coconut Grove, what type of food options are available, and which hotels are the nicest and in the best location? Thank you!

[Mama2Tay]

We stayed in Coconut Grove last March for one night pre-cruise. We were at the Residence Inn and it was a short walk to Cocowalk. There were a few different restaurants in Cocowalk, we ate at the Cheesecake Factory. There are also stores and live music. It was a fun place.

 

The website for Cocowalk is www.cocowalk.net.

 

It was also very quiet around the hotel, and seemed very safe. We would stay there again.