A business trip to remember

While attending a business conference at the hotel, just enjoyed a three night stay (Dec 6-9) at the Hotel Biltmore. From first driving up to the main entrance to checking into the room, everything in sight is beautiful.

I had one of the three rooms (could be combined with the room next door to create a suite) on the 14th floor and enjoyed a view looking both East and North. The room was elegantly furnished with desk and chair, bed, and two other chairs with every type of Miami magazine one might desire.

The bathroom had a balcony that was inaccessible behind a locked glass door probably due to the low railing outside. Still, a fine view of the golf course and pool brightened my morning ritual.

The only downside was sitting through a long two days of meetings but can't blame the Biltmore for that!

Nice with some drawbacks

We have recently stayed at the Biltmore for two days and one night. We had a lovely room, the bed was heavenly, I would love to know from where they have this fabric.

The reason why I don't give this place full marks was the pool area. It has a very impressive size but there were so many local families with their small babies in the pool who would normally belong to the baby pool. Also we saw many people with food and drinks in the pool which I just don't find hygienic. Also what another reviewer mentioned, there are simply not enough deck chairs there, we noticed when we went to breakfast at 10am next to the pool, all the chairs were taken already even though nobody was sitting in them. So I would rather have a smaller pool but some garden to have space for some more chairs.

Good rates overall, but the little extras will cost lots (May 2004) . . .

I'm lucky enough to live near the Biltmore. The last time I stayed here was back in 1988 (twice). We got poolside rooms both times and the hotel had less of the worldly polish it has today, but still exuded its special old-world charm (the poolside stadium seating was still in place back then!). The hotel was closed for some 20+ years and nearly got torn down until it was reopened in 1987. Luckily for the world, it was salvaged; its history is long and rich (built in 1920s). My sister came down for a couple of days and we spent three wonderful nights here. The only glitch was that we had previously requested pool-view and once there, never got it. Although front desk (Chad) was very professional and polite, we never got our pool-view. Instead, we got front view on 3rd floor (one room off from dead-center), which was equally spectacular. (Avoid any tennis view rooms, which is same side as the loading dock and very noisy, so we've been told). We were low enough to see all the action in front of the hotel (including spectacular sunsets), but high enough to maintain some sense of privacy.

This hotel has one of the best beds I've ever slept on! The courtyard restaurant (by the fountain) has a great breakfast buffet all during the week ($16 pp).

Okay, let's get the complaints out of the way. The bathroom had no venting system whatsoever, which we thought peculiar, so be ready to bring some spray or get some matches from the bar downstairs. There is a poolside café, however, they rarely, if ever, ask poolside loungers if they care for drinks and/or food. At one point I was so hungry I called and asked for poolside service via my cell phone, gave them my description and asked them to please bring me a menu (in all fairness, this is a large poolside area). Within minutes I was waited on. You can get the burgers and fries here, but you can also order healthier dishes like generous (albeit) expensive salads. If you don't like piped in music (pervasive throughout the grounds), bring your own headphones.

One thing I would highly recommend are the free tours of the hotel (about 45 min. to 1 hour). You get a lot of history of the hotel. On the day we took the tour we were lucky in that the Bell Tower Suite was empty and we got to see this spectacular, 2-story penthouse at the apex of the hotel. The 7th floor has a reputation of being haunted. The only thing creepy about it was the The Cellar Club (members only).

Room service is pricey. The good news is that there's a plethora of goods within a mile or so (intersection of Bird Road and Red Road). There's a Milam's grocery (great wraps, salads, wines, etc), a Latin cafeteria, sushi restaurant, a 24-hour Walgreen, bakery, and lots more). The in-room movies were quite expensive at $12.63 each. The bad news here (besides the price) is falling asleep during these movies!

Oh yeah, the pool. WHAT A POOL! Cascading waterfall and all. Wonderful! Go for it, you won't be disappointed.

Elegant & Beautiful!

The Biltmore was fabulous! The staff were gracious and friendly and our room was gorgeous. We ate every meal at the hotel restaurants - there were plenty to choose from! - and loved every one. The best was Chef Phillipe at the Palm D'Or. Absolutely wonderful!!! The pool is spectacular, the grounds beautiful, and most importantly, the staff is great. We look forward to a return visit soon!

In a word - fabulous!

Just spent 3 glorious nights at the Biltmore. Champagne offered at check in, discrete efficient service all the time, understated elegant room and beautiful limestone clad bathroom (I thought the Westin "Heavenly Bed" was the most comfortable I had experienced but the bed at the Biltmore had it licked!). A truly luxurious treat in a quiet, refined and elegant setting.

One of the best hotels ever!

Quite simply, one of the best hotels we've ever visited. We knew it was going to be special when we were handed a glass of champagne each as we checked in. Superb room, with everything we could possibly want. We ordered room service breakfast and it was outstanding. The service and presentation was impeccable; a truly wonderful treat. Highly recommended.

A step back in time.

The Biltmore is a step back to the Gilded Age. It s truly a special hotel that is pleasantly isolated away from the usual traffic and crowds of Miami. While there, you must try Palm D or. The restaurant s tapas style ordering is a great concept. You get to enjoy plenty of tastes and leave filled, not bloated! The hotel and grounds is a historian s dream. The neighborhood it rests in is beautifully kept. Nearby you should visit Viscaya, another beautiful historic landmark. If you are into the South Beach scene, stay away. If you are interested in beautiful views, a sense of grandeur and a truly relaxing time, The Biltmore is the destination, not just a hotel.

Palme D'or Restaurant - Fantastic

The Le Palme d'Or restaurant at the Biltmore Hotel Coral Gables is one of the best we've visited in all our years of travel. Many rave about the famous Inn at Little Washington restaurant, but this was even better for less than half the cost. Still expensive, but this is a special place for a special ocassion. We especially liked the concept of small portion servings. This is a place for those who appreciate truly fine food and who judge by quality, not quantity. A 24 ounce steak eater would not be happy here. We had "three plates" for $33 plus dessert. The asparagus beignet wasn't what you might expect, not a beignet at all. It was absolutely exquisite. I would go again just to order it. Other tastings available are four plates $44, five plates $55, chef's choice menu at $65 and another choice with wine included.

We had all we could manage with three plates and dessert. Oh, yes, absolutely do not forget the dessert. You choose the theme and receive a medley of surprises. Superb! Fabulous setting, impeccible service, food to remember.

Disappointed

We were headed to Miami Beach for Christmas Vacation. Decided to spend three nights at The Biltmore because of good internet rate and claim of having the largest outdoor hotel pool in the continental US. We asked for an upgrade and received a lovely one bedroom suite. It appeared to have been recently redone - very clean and fresh. Housekeeping service was wonderful and very accomodating. The pool, however, was a HUGE disappointment. It is large and beautiful but not heated. The water temp was 52 degrees. Because of the way the pool is configured there is a lack of deck space and there were only 23 lounge chairs that receive sun in the afternoon. (I counted them!) Because of the lack of sunny deck space hotel guests were getting confrontational with each other about reserving chairs. Hotel management also let a group of guests have a small dog which was very annoying to me. The dog was allowed poolside and in the outside resturant. Complaints to management elicited sympathy but nothing more. Dining at the pool side cafe was expensive with poor service and mediocre food. The staff seemed to try hard but fell short .

Not the best rooms for the prices

Booked 2 days at the Coral Gables Biltmore only stayed two. The room was awful and the furniture was old and smelled like dust. I have stayed at other Biltmore Hotels and can tell you this one was worst one. Most of the staff could barley speak English, and most were snotty.Went we checked out early we told the staff why and they still charged us for the 2nd night. I will never stay there again. Go to the Ritz in Coconut Grove or on Key Biscayne.