AWSM 2008 Convention FAQs  Q: Are there any group travel discounts?
A: Book your travel to the AWSM Convention on American Airlines – into Miami, Fort Lauderdale or West Palm Beach – and receive a 5 percent discount on flights between Feb. 5 and Feb. 14. Simply enter A7628AY on aa.com or call 1-800-433-1790. If you’re renting a car, discounts are available at Avis – use the AWD number B136001 when booking.
Q: Tell me about the hotel. A: The Grand Bay Miami is located on Biscayne Bay in Coconut Grove, a tree-lined village just south of downtown Miami.
There is an outdoor pool, fitness center, business center, gift shop, two bars and three restaurants at the hotel. Each room has a balcony, DVD/CD player and wireless internet capabilities. Visit www.grandbaymiami.com.
Q: What's within walking distance of the hotel? A: Restaurants/bars include: Coyote Ugly, Fat Tuesday, Tavern in the Grove, Cafe Tu Tu Tango, Chart House, Cheesecake Factory, Green Street Cafe, Hooters, Jaguar Ceviche, Johnny Rockets, Mr. Moe's, Monty's, Senor Frog's, Starbucks, The Knife.
Shops include: American Apparel, Ann Taylor Loft, Bath & Body Works, FYE, Gap, Guess, Koko & Palenki, Limited, Sunglasses Hut, Victoria's Secret, White House/Black Market and numerous boutiques. Also in walking distance: Coconut Grove Playhouse (Improv shows), five art galleries, several day spas, CVS Pharmacy, Fresh Market, AMC 16 theaters.
Q: What else is there to do in the area? A: Everything under the sun. • Sports: South Florida has every major pro sports team (Dolphins, Heat, Panthers, Marlins), major college athletics (University of Miami and others) and events including tennis' Sony Ericsson Open to the PGA's WGC-CA Championship at Doral to IRL's opening race to spring training to Nascar's season-ending Ford 400. Gulfstream Park, home to the Florida Derby, will also be in season - as well as harness racing, dog tracks and jai-alai. • Attractions/sites: Art Deco district, Deering Estate, Villa Vizcaya, Fairchild Tropical Gardens, Miami Seaquarium, Parrot Jungle Island, Lion Country Safari, Ancient Spanish Monastery, Calle Ocho/Little Havana, Key Biscayne Lighthouse, Florida Everglades, Swimming Hall of Fame, Fishing Hall of Fame, beaches, endless golf courses, numerous museums/arts venues and outdoor activities. Stay an extra day - there are day trips - by boat - to Key West and the Bahamas. • Shopping: TONS! The closest - Village of Merrick Park, which includes Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Anthropologie, Betsy Johnson, Burberry, Diane von Furstenberg, Gucci, Juicy, Longchamp, Williams-Sonoma Home. The most popular - Aventura Mall, which has more than 250 shops including Bloomingdale's, Banana Republic, Diesel, Lucky, Michael Kors, Miss Sixty, Urban Outfitters, Zara. The trendiest - Bal Harbour Shops, which includes Bvlgari, Calypso, Chanel, Chloe, Dior, Hermes, Intermix, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Neiman Marcus, Prada, Saks Fifth Avenue, Valentino. The best value - Sawgrass Mills/Colonnade Outlets, which includes factory stores for David Yurman, Crate & Barrel, Coach, Kate Spade, Max Mara, St. John, Miss Sixty, Ferragamo, Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue.
• Restaurants: No shortage here either. Local favorites - Joe's Stone Crabs, Red Fish Grill, Pacific Time, News Cafe, Tobacco Road, Soyka Star-gazing - The Forge, China Grill, Blue Door at the Delano, Prime One Twelve Celeb chefs - Nobu, Emeril's, Mark's South Beach, Norman's Zagat's best - Prime One Twelve, AltaMar, Blue Door at the Delano, Nemo, Mark's South Beach, Joe's Stone Crab, Nobu, Casa Tua • Nightlife: Miami is known for its club scene - which can be particularly daunting on the weekends, when it may be difficult to get past the velvet ropes. One alternative - skip South Beach and head downtown to a place like the Pawn Shop or Club Space. Note: Many clubs do not get going until after midnight. Otherwise, there are several casinos in South Florida - with the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood leading the group. Gambling on yachts and small cruise ships is also available.
Q: Are we near the beach? A: The closest beaches are on Key Biscayne - about 5 miles from the hotel. Miami Beach is about 10 miles away.
Q: How close are the airports? A: The Grand Bay is 10 miles from Miami International Airport (MIA) and 28 miles from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL). Airlines at MIA: Aerohonduras, Aeromexico, Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeropostal, Air Canada, Air France, Air Jamaica, AirTran, Alaska, Alitalia, American, Aviacsa, Avianca, Bahamas Air, British, BWIA, Cayman Airways, Continental, Copa, Delta, El Al, Eurofly, Finnair, Iberia, LAB, LACSA, LAN Chile/Ecuador/Peru, LOT, Lufthansa, Lynx, Martinair, Mexicana, Northwest, Qantas, Santa Barbara, Sun Country, Surinam, Swiss, TACA, TAM, United, US Airways, Varig, Virgin Atlantic Airlines at FLL: American, Air Canada, Air Jamaica, AirTran, Avianca, Bahamas Air, Cayman Airways, Continental, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Northwest, Southwest, Spirit, United, US Airways, USA 3000, WestJet Click here to register. |
