Some searching will reveal the presence of a lounge at GRU. More searching will reveal the FT community's opinion of said lounge. Having read some of the opinions on said lounge but not having been there, here is my attempt to summarize said lounge:

:-::rolleyes::-:+ a lot.

How'd I do?

It's oddly funny to me to see FT banner ads in Dutch.

Good night, all. I need to be up at 0830 CEST and I'm not exactly happy about that fact.

Oopsie.:eek: Baggage cart sucked into engine.

What thread is this?

Yes, but that lounge is paradise compared with the other landside options (which basiy are non-existent).

heard about that yesterday. It could have been worse, it looks like the cart just wedged itself in the air intake. If that had been a larger diameter 777 engine, the engine may sucked in the whole cart.

LAN called, a baggage cart went missing yesterday at LAX. :D

I like your 'summary'!! Thanks! I will have a few hours to kill before my return flight to EWR, so will be happy to have a place to hang out until said flight. I did read that it's a bit hard to find, -- but I can speak Portuguese, so can attempt to ask for assistance, if necessary.

I saw the video on this -- that's wild! I just wondered if any luggage was destroyed, aside from the engine.

With the wife, Memorial Day weekend, 5 nights, 5 hours in MIA.

I have Admirals Club access and we'll be diving most of the time on the Caye, but otherwise I'd appreciate thoughts on the hotels, convenience to center of town, food, etc.

Watch out for the Art deco 'hotels' they are really dumps.
What kind of budget do you have? Up in FLL the Sheraton properties have some good prices, and are quite a bit better than their Miami counterparts in the same price range. You don't want to be near downtown Miami, it is a dump :) Miami Beach is alright though, with exception of some of said hotels.

It is over in sbm12ville

If you are staying at Spindrift or Ruby's you will not need a taxi. Both are a 5 minute walk down Front St from the San Pedro airstrip and right in the center of the town close to all the restaurants, bars, stores and tour operators. I will work on uploading the pictures tonight to share also.

On the return with the 5 hour layover in MIA, we took the 7 bus (about 35 minute ride) from MIA to NE 1st Ave btwn NE 3rd St & NE 4th St (College/Bayside Metromover Station) in Downtown Miami and walked around Bayside to find a restaurant. There are some nice places there with outdoor seating right on the bay which is nice to watch all the action in the harbor. We just had to get out of MIA, that place is a TD and it smells.

I think the one CM was referring to was this this one. Someone wake up CM for clarification.

He is going to Belize and just has 5 hours to kill in MIA for a connection on AAnother AAirline.

Really? We need to talk and compare notes. :)