RESORT
REVIEWS
The Biltmore Hotel Coral Gables: Rich in History, Focused on the Future
By Elaine Gallant,
Staff Writer
CORAL GABLES, FL - In the 1995 movie "Bad Boys," actor Martin Lawrence enters the suite occupying the entire 13th floor of The Biltmore Hotel's tower in Coral Gables and is told that this is the Al Capone Suite. Which it is, even though Capone never actually stayed there.
But in 1926, during the height of the Roaring '20s when the resort was built, this suite did have a gangster's reputation. Revolving wall panels revealed gambling tables on one side, filled bookcases on the other and a secret stairwell that came in handy during police raids. It was also the scene of the deadly shooting of reputed mobster Thomas "Fatty" Walsh while the illicit casino was in full swing and whose lingering spirit is now fodder for the resort's resident historian and storyteller.
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With its canopied entrance, elevated circular drive, and tailored doorman ready to provide red-carpet treatment to arriving guests, it's easy to fall for its charms. Likewise, inside its cavernous lobby that is part museum and gathering place capped by a ceiling of vaulted, Moorish arches, two mahogany birdcages showcase colorful finches that fill the air with happy chirps and shrills.
Ivonne Perez-Suarez, Media Relations Coordinator says, "The Biltmore's Mediterranean architecture influences the hotel's feel for elegance and grandeur unique to the area. When guests walk through its doors, they feel comfortable in a welcoming environment. They can enjoy our European ambiance and cuisine without leaving the states... The birdcages were placed there for the Summit of the Americas as an added attraction and to even more beautify the area."
As it is, it has always been the hotel's beauty that's attracted worldwide attention. George E. Merrick, founder of the City of Coral Gables, wanted to build a centerpiece -- one that would not only be a "great hotel," but also a "center of sports and fashion."
He arranged for exclusive trains called the "Miami Biltmore Specials" to bring northern guests to sunny Florida for its gala opening. Over time, royalty, the likes of King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia of Spain, the Grand Dukes of Luxembourg, and Princess Benedicta and Prince Richard of Denmark, joined the throng of daily visitors.
Repeat guests included both The Duke and Duchess of Windsor and the very famous Vanderbilts. More recently, however, are former Presidents Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, George Bush and current Presidents Vincente Fox of Mexico, Andres Pastrana of Columbia and Jose Maria Aznar of Spain.
Meanwhile, the established love affair with Hollywood continues. Where once Johnny Weissmuller (later known as Tarzan) broke the world's high-diving record and Ginger Rogers, Judy Garland, and Bing Crosby swung to the sound of big band jazz, today, Andy Garcia, Cameron Diaz, John Travolta and many others have made their presence known.
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As for the remainder of the hotel, guest rooms feature feather beds, sitting areas, stone-tiled bathrooms, multi-function portable phones with voice mail and data ports, state-of-the-art climate control, safety deposit boxes and 25" color TV's. Some have balconies and all have panoramic views of either the city or golf course.
Credit for the
continual upgrading
of the resort
is given to
Seaway Hotels
Corporation
that took over
management from
the city in
1992. Prior
to that, the
hotel had experienced
decades of starts
and stops and
other uses.
First came World War II when The Biltmore served as the Army Air Forces Regional Hospital, then as part of The University of Miami's School of Medicine and finally during the Vietnam War as a Veteran's Administration Hospital until it closed in 1968. Between 1973 and 1987, then again between 1990 and 1992, it remained unoccupied but was registered by the city as a historic landmark through the Historic Monuments Act and Legacy Parks Program. It also twice served as a fortified public shelter during the devastating hurricanes of 1926 and more recently, Andrew, in 1992.
"Today, our goal is to be the center of the social and cultural life of our community just as George Merrick envisioned," says Perez. "By hosting events such as The Biltmore International Wine Festival, The Summit of the Americas, and The Annual Americas Conference, we have become the most recognized landmark in Greater Miami, not only nationwide, but also in Latin America and Europe."
This is evident,
according to
Perez, by the
first chat room
conversation
made between
His Excellency
President Francisco
Flores of El
Salvador and
the viewers
of Univision.com,
a web site for
the world's
largest Hispanic
TV network.
Advanced communications
within the hotel's
Conference Center
of the Americas,
a newly added
40,000-square-foot,
state-of-the-art
facility with
multiple amphitheaters,
meeting rooms,
conference rooms
and business
center, made
it all possible.
Perez adds however, "There is always room for improvement and The Biltmore's goal is to continue serving the public in its tradition of class and elegance."
The Biltmore
Hotel Coral
Gables is located
at 1200 Anastasia
Avenue in Coral
Gables, Florida.
From Miami International
Airport take
LeJeune Road
south to Anastasia
Avenue. You
won't miss it
on the right,
as it is in
the middle of
a well-maintained,
residential
area.
Dining at The Biltmore
La Palme d'Or is the hotel's signature, dinner-only restaurant under the direction of French Chef Philippe Ruiz. It has received numerous accolades and regularly welcomes Michelin-rated chefs from France with the opportunity to prepare their favorite dishes. Jackets are suggested. Recently, Chef Ruiz, along with the hotel's executive chef, was honored with an invitation to prepare dinner at the James Beard House for a select group of VIPs.
1200 & Courtyard Café offers indoor and outdoor seating serving breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as the hotel's notorious Sunday Champagne Brunch - something not to be missed!
La Cascade is open poolside for lunch and weekend breakfast buffet.
19th Hole Restaurant & Bar is located on the golf course and open daily 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. weather permitting.
Other dining
options include
full, 24-hour
room service,
hors d'oeuvres
served in The
Biltmore Lounge,
afternoon tea
in the lobby,
snacks at the
Pool Bar and
wine, cheese
and fruit in
the tower's
private Cellar
Club.
Awards
The Biltmore Hotel is listed as a National Historic Landmark and is a recipient of the Mobile Four Star, the AAA Four Diamond, Meetings and Conventions Magazine's Gold Key and Florida Trend Magazine's Golden Spoon awards. It is also on Conde Nast Traveler's Gold List.
THE BILTMORE
HOTEL CORAL
GABLES
1200 Anastasia
Ave.
Coral Gables,
FL 33134
1-800-727-1926
Phone: (305)
445-1926
www.biltmorehotel.com
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