Luxury Hotels - Mandarin vs Ritz, Miami

I am unable to do a search and know that the Ritz Coral Gables has been discussed quite a bit lately. We usually stay at the Mandarin Oriental but their room rates are going off the chart (NYC prices) so thought we would try the RC Coral Gables. Would those of you who have posted before mind telling me again which are the best rooms and we would definitely want a high floor and view of the bay.
Thanks
By the way FS full when we want to be there - a convention, which is not a good sign for a luxury hotel, IMO.

Have you ruled out the RC Key Biscayne?

It is not convenient for us this time - we are overnighting on our way back from Colorado to the Caribbean. Maybe next time -

As you probably are aware, we've had a hard time getting good feedback on the RC Coral Gables on this board. You may need to be our guniea pig.

I do remember some posts not so long ago - one glowing report that recommended a particular room location with great view. (wonder when Search will be back up) We ordinarily do not like the "scene" in the Grove, but it isn't as bad as it used to be. This may be a good time to see the hotel as we won't be there long.

P. S. I guess the MO is beginning to believe its reviews, and while we like it and have stayed there a lot, it is not worth $649 pn on a week-end, even if it is high season.

I just posted a negative RC Coconut Grove report 2 weeks ago in this forum but for some reason I can not use the search function right now to link to it -- perhaps some one can link it here for me.

The Ritz-Carlton in Coconut Grove is nice, but nothing special for a R-C (and you are not likely to have a view of the bay from your room), but Coconut Grove has turned into a great neighborhood of shops and restaurants.

The Mandarin Orental is a GREAT hotel overlooking the bay (every room will have a nice view) but it is isolated on Brickell Key from much of anything else.

Better food at the MO with 2 well-respected restaurants. Pools are equal; MO also has a very nice "beach" with sand and palm huts on the bay (you don't actually swim there though).

Both hotels are about equal in distance from MIA.

I really loved the MO, but have not stayed at the RC. I know they are getting really pricey - stayed there when it was new. If you can get it for any decent price it is a lovely property.

Since we go to Miami a lot, we have stayed at the MO since it opened and they used to give us a really good room rate and were always certain we got the room we requested. However, lately they have raised their rates on us and we constantly have to squabble over our room when we arrive. So we are beginning to go off the hotel - they seem to have lost their "loyalty factor". (as I said at the beginning, the FS is booked with some convention for the period of time we want to be there, and that doesn't bode well for the hotel, I think)

We get an e-mail with request for comments after we stay, but I am not sure they actually pay attention to what we say.

I just posted a negative RC Coconut Grove report 2 weeks ago in this forum but for some reason I can not use the search function right now to link to it -- perhaps some one can link it here for me.

That is what I have been looking for but the Search function isn't working for some reason -

That is what I have been looking for but the Search function isn't working for some reason -

I just found out SEARCH will be working again soon (today or Mon). Check back tomorrow.

I just found out SEARCH will be working again soon (today or Mon). Check back tomorrow.
No need to wait. The thread is here (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=391381).

Have you considered the RC South Beach? Maybe just as expensive as MO but could be worth a try. I would venture to guess much better than RC CG.

Take a look @ Daleno in South Beach... I have stayed there and its nice

Have you considered the RC South Beach? Maybe just as expensive as MO but could be worth a try. I would venture to guess much better than RC CG.

RC South Beach, it is full - we have stayed at the Delano and it is a bit "happenin" for us. I give up - we will either go back to the MO or come home via NYC to see the Cristo exhibit in Central Park.

RC South Beach, it is full - we have stayed at the Delano and it is a bit "happenin" for us. I give up - we will either go back to the MO or come home via NYC to see the Cristo exhibit in Central Park.
I'm disappointed: with no disprespect to the others who have provided feedback, I was looking forward to hear what you had to say about the place.

I'm disappointed: with no disprespect to the others who have provided feedback, I was looking forward to hear what you had to say about the place.

Well, it's not exactly a done deal, the way this is going. I will let you know if we do indeed stay there -

Well, it's not exactly a done deal, the way this is going. I will let you know if we do indeed stay there -

RC Coconut is a strange hotel. It has a distinct residential feel to it. Perhaps this is the case because there are more residences than hotel rooms there. It doesn't mean its a bad hotel though. It just does not have a luxury heavy-weight feel to it like the MO does. Not even close. BUT....some people prefer that kind of feel that the RC-CG has in the hotels they visit.

While a slight step down from the Ritz, Mandarin, and Four Seasons, the Trump Sonesta in Sunny Isles might be worth considering for the price. I recently stayed there and found it to be a great value and the service was excellent. Also, it is only about 20 min. from MIA airport; Bal Harbour and Aventura are also very convenient to the property.

Feeling unadventurous after ten days of skiing, decided to stay at the MO on our overnight in Miami and it was good, as always. They gave us one of the 6th floor rooms with huge terrace - great if one is staying for a while!

All about preference and location.

All RCs in Miami are nice, but very different.
The MO is the Miami MO. If you want that, it is the only place for you.