the ritz-carlton, key biscayne,

[tennisfan9]

hi
i am planning on going to the sec open next march and have a few questions on the ritz-carlton hotel in key biscayne

- what sort of people stay there? players? old/young crowd etc.. (don't wanna feel outta place)
- what are the staff and hotel facilities like?
- is it easy to get to crandon park?
- in general, what's it like?

thank you very much!

 

[ollinger]

Ritz Carlton hotels are generally expense account, business travelers. They are all very expensive, very few libertarians at the bar.

 

[West Coast Ace]

OP, have you been to Miami before? Are you just going to see as much tennis as possible? How old are you?

If you haven't been to Miami - and you're young (or young at heart), I'd recommend staying in South Beach. It's awesome - South American and European feel. Great food; people-watching. A range of hotels within 4 blocks of the beach. You can walk everywhere; no need for a rental car (and you won't want one because parking is expensive). And I would imagine there has to be a shuttle bus service to get to Key Biscayne for the tennis.

 

[FloridaAG]

The Ritz-Carlton is very nice. It is very expensive so its clientele are largely very affluent. Patrons skew older normally - not sure during the Tourney though. It is easy to get to Crandon from there

 

[tennisfan9]

Hi again
I am 25 and a bit of a bore to be honest, i will be going to the tennis for probably about 4 days of the trip and yes i have been to miami before but not for tennis!

 

[BobFL]

I would recommend this:

http://www.epichotel.com/

 

[tennisfan9]

I would recommend this:

http://www.epichotel.com/

thank-you! is it easy to get to crandon park from there?

 

[BobFL]

thank-you! is it easy to get to crandon park from there?

yeah, less than 20mins (8-9 miles)...

Btw, Mario Ancic stayed there during SE Open this year

 

[tennisfan9]

yeah, less than 20mins (8-9 miles)...

Btw, Mario Ancic stayed there during SE Open this year

thanks for the info, will look into it

parking is okay at crandon park then?

 

[tennisfan9]

We stay there 3 or 4 times per year (in fact was just there 3 weeks ago) and did a full week at the Cliff Drysdale program which we do two or three times per year. One thing to know is that its generally a very affluent crowd and for sure not many folks under 30 in prime season. Rates in March range from low $500's to over $1000 per night i'm 48 and find most guests are in the 45 - 55+ crowd.
You are like 5 min away from Crandon Park - Parking not and issue as they use the beach lots across the street -
great great great hotel

thank you for all the info guys!

 

[tennisfan9]

one more question i promise
- when is the best time to get tickets?
- can i get them on the day?

 

[tennisfan9]

Packages usually go on sale around the same time as US Open - Late Aug - single day tickets sale should start in early Jan 2011 -

I would look at the Sony/Ericsson Open site and check there the 2011 volunteer and ballboy info should be up by know with maybe dates for 2011 - you can subscribe to the newsletter and be part of a presale as well.

Good Luck

hello again!
i've been looking at the packages and i think i am going to get the opening weekend classic package. although i will be there for the whole 2 weeks, i think those sessions will suit me fine and i hope to see all my favourite players in action!
but if i were to see the schedule for a different day, can you buy tickets on the day at the gate? and are the 400 level seats that bad? i'm guessing if i get the package above, i can go to the grandstand/outer courts?
thanks again for all your help!

 

[dbusiness]

and are the 400 level seats that bad?

Yes they are, if you don't mind watching the game through binoculars then they maybe alright.

The main thing you Must think about when choosing seats is the Sun. The asphalt roads down here are white because the sun is so strong so I would look for seats where the sun will be moving around your back at noon for the stadium court.

 

[tennisfan9]

Yes they are, if you don't mind watching the game through binoculars then they maybe alright.

The main thing you Must think about when choosing seats is the Sun. The asphalt roads down here are white because the sun is so strong so I would look for seats where the sun will be moving around your back at noon for the stadium court.

thank you for the information, will keep that in mind

just been looking at hotels again, don't think i will go for the ritz-carlton in key biscayne. so have been looking at a few others, have narrowed it down to epic (as mentioned above), conrad, or the courtyard marriot....... has anyone ever stayed in any of them before and gone to the tournament?

thank you again

 

[tennisfan9]

any one know what the camera policy is at the s.e.c by any chance? and do they actually check?

 

[sadowsk2]

any one know what the camera policy is at the s.e.c by any chance? and do they actually check?

I second this... I'm looking to hit the even while I'm in Flordia this March and would like to bring my DSLR... Are they pretty lax with the camera policY?

 

[sureshs]

Isn't that the place where Cliff Drysdale teaches?