Need help with a non Disney get a way

[PartyofSix]

Okay me (33) DH (34) want to do something NEW and get a way for our Anniversary in May. For one, Please don't laugh, we have never flown before. We are toying with the idea and both scared silly but really want to give it a try. We are looking for a short flight and the nearest airport is in JAX (jacksonville fl). I was looking into visiting Miami it's a short 1 hr 45 min flight no transfers. I was checking on Key Biscayne the Ritz Carlton. Does any one have suggestions or know this area? We are not beach bunny's but love the ocean and talking walks. We are not athletic types, but love the spa, sightseeing, shopping and great eatery's. If any one has anything that would help me at all I would be so grateful as I'm really nervous about the flying part of the trip and the unknown of the location. We are in GA so if anyone has suggestions on other nearby romantic getaway spots I'd love to hear them. I considered New Orleans but the flight is over 4hrs and there's a transfer. I also looked at Charles Place in Charleston SC. Any info on these places?

 

[Nikole]

The Ritz at Key Biscayne is OUTSTANDING!!!!!!!! I'd recommend it in a heart beat! There's a ton to do down in that area and down at South Beach!!!!

You could also consider New Orleans!!

 

[Mackey Mouse]

I liked the South Seas Plantation in Captiva.. just beautiful..

 

[PartyofSix]

Thanks so much for the quick reply. Can you tell me if you've stayed at the ritz and what to expect from services at the hotel? Any tips on flying for our first time? How is the beach there? Is biscayne bay like the beach? Stupid question I admit. I was looking at grove isle resort but it's not direct bay or ocean front I don't think. Is there any place we should stay away from a bad part or town not to wonder into? I'm excited and scared to death to venture to the unknown.LOL Have you used the spa services at that hotel?

 

[Nikole]

Yep stayed there when it first opened as part of our ritz tour!

Gorgeous hotel, incredible facilities! The beach is nice although I didn't go right out to it. But what I could see without actually walking down to it was outstanding! Food is superb (of course that's par for the course with a Ritz.) Service is impeccable. It's only a little over a year old! The most amazing thing though is the spa!!!! It is absolutely phenomenal!!! You could easily spend a week just at the spa! Provided someone else was paying for it! LOL

We were very spoiled as it was basically a FAM trip for the meeting planners of our group. The Ritz went all out for us but it was easy to see that it was really just standard service with them! It's a fairly short ride down into miami.

 

[Nikole]

Oh and yes it's just like an ocean beach....key biscayne is basically an island if my memory serves me correctly and the hotel sits on the atlantic side of it.

As for flying for your first time..... if you think it's going to be stressful for you don't hesitate to take a dramine or see if your doctor will prescribe a zanax(sp). Obviously, I'd only suggest that if you are going to be VERY frightened. Although there is honestly no reason to be!!! And let the flight attendant know that it is your first time! She'll make sure to check in on you

 

[PartyofSix]

This is wonderful actually having someone that's been there tell you first hand about the resort. I truely appreiciate your sharing with me. Now I'm excited even more. Any suggestions on the room choices. Just from exp. I'm thinking a Deluxe (hope for an upgrade thur am express) I also found out they give a 20% dis booking with your am exp card. I'm thought of requesting a corner room as i hear they are quieter and larger usually. I love the spa but my husband can't be presued I think because he's a larger built man he's shy but I'm sure they do all sizes>LOL I am no skinny minnie and fear of getting the smallest robe in the house.LOL Oh well i guess you have to get naked sometime I've never seen a true white sand beach the furtherest altantic ocean site i've seen is daytona and never saw a gulf beach unless you count 20 years ago driving to tarpon springs with my dad to bid a job.LOL I'm so sheltered.

 

[Nikole]

That's ok! I hope you have a wonderful time!!!! Even the "lowest" rooms at the RITZ are better than most of the HIGHEST rooms elsewhere! You truly can't go wrong with a Ritz! When I was running meetings through them... I knew I had nothing to worry about if I was at a Ritz!

See about using a TA and see if she can't drop a hint about it being your anniversary! She might be able to save you some money and/or she might be able to get you upgraded!

 

[lynetteSC]

Hi! Charleston Place in Chas is EXCELLENT!!! It is really a WOWWY type place! It is actually owned and operated by the same folks that own the Orient Express! I have attended several weddings/parties there but never been honored enough to stay there I lived in Chas for 12 yrs if you have any specific Chas questions. Really centrally located hotel. Walking distance to shopping and tons of good places to eat. It also has spa I am pretty sure! Also walking distance to the new SC Aquarium (well, about half mile) and the waterfront park. Good luck deciding!

 

[Nikole]

Lynette is right about the Charleston Place too!!!!!

It's outstanding! I'd rank it right up there with a Ritz! If you're looking at going to Charleston.......a VERY charming town......that is THE place to stay!

 

[Serena]

I have no idea but I'd thought I'd give you a friendly bump.

 

[PartyofSix]

Thanks I need all the help I can get. Since both places are a can't miss I don't know which is the best to choose.

 

[disneefamily]

Disnee Dad Says.....................................I have flown maybe 20-25 times in my life, and I don't like to fly. Now I only worry for the first 3 or 4 minutes, and the last 10 or so. So don't limit your distance, everything in between is fine, like rideing a bus only safer. N.O. can not be a four hour flight, you must have a two hour layover somewhere.
I say come to Northern California. All within 3 hours of Sacramento...Reno, Lake Tahoe, Napa Valley( but go to Sonoma, you go to Sonoma for wine and Napa for auto parts!), San Francisco, Monterey/Carmel, Yosemite, Jack London Square, Great America, Santa Cruz, Alcatraz, the list doesn't end!

 

[PartyofSix]

I guess your right about worring for a few minutes at the beginning and ending of a flight. My prob was that you have to connect and do it all over again and I did'nt want to the first time we fly. Charleston is only 220 miles so that's a 4 and 1/2 hr drive. N.O. is an 11 hr. yes that was with lay overs the 4 hr flights. I've never booked a flight and don't know exactly what I"m doing yet. Where's a best seat for a scarey cat? Do they sell the space under the seats?LOL

 

[crazyme5kids]

Tammy,
I still say come to NYC! Sightseeing, shopping, great places to eat, spas Broadway shows!
As far as flying goes, try not to get a seat over the wings or landing gear. It is noisier and you will feel the little bumps and things from the movement of them. At take off and landing just do some deep breathing to help you relax (you might want to close your eyes too). An

 

[crazyme5kids]

oops. Another place I like is Baltimore Harbor.

 

[PartyofSix]

NYC is a possible. Any suggestions on areas to stay? I'm a little phobic of a BIG city coming from a small town in SE georgia. Any place safer than the others? I say a Ritz in Battery park and central park and The Plaza hotel in central park. What are you near and would it be safe to walk in those areas? Would I need to look at a rental car or should we rely on taxi service? I don't take cab's any idea about fares? I would love to hear if you think walking in central park and that area or battery park area is safe. I think the ritz in battery park you can get a view of the statue of liberty.

 

[lynetteSC]

Tammy ~ MY dh & I conquered NYC for the first time in Sept. It was EASY!!! And we are from VERY small town also! We stayed at The Omni! It was incredible! Walked to Central Park (not my choice...dh's ... I would have taken cab). BUT, it was easy disctance to Rockerfellar Center, 5th AVE, Sak's, Bloomingdale's!!!, Empire St Bldg, Time's Sq, FAO Schwarz!!!!, lots of other places! We quickly learned how the streets run and it was easy to walk everywhere! We did take taxi to some places (Wall st area, Twin Towers area, museums) but mostly walked. It was awesome! DH and I are trying to figure out when we can get some more time to go back! It was super!!!!
Omni was great, I know there are some hotels more centrally located for certain areas ... Lots of fancy places in Times Sq. Good Luck!!!

LOL at do they sell area under the seats! You guys will be fine!

 

[crazyme5kids]

Central park is nice! You can take a horse and buggy ride through it. I love the central park zoo, and the The Museum of Natural History is near there (I could sit in the Gems and Mineral room for hours). Time Square is a good place to go, you can get tickets to a play, there is Madame Toussard's Wax Museum which is amazing! I would stay somewhere between Times Square and Central Park, otherwise you will spend a fortune on cabs from way downtown. Don't rent a car!!!! You can take cabs and walk or brave the subway (it's not that hard LOL!). There are NYC people on the boards that can be very helpful with hotels and things to do. My husband is flying today, but if you have other questions let me know and I can ask him (he knows his way around the city better than me, I tend to meander!).

 

[crazyme5kids]

Bumping this up for some other suggestions.