Biltmore Hotel

A majestic monument to the Gables of the Florida boom years, the Biltmore boasts a 300-foot bell tower modeled after the Giralda in Seville, as well as one of the largest pools in the U.S. It’s worth checking in for the history alone. The lobby has a hand-painted vaulted ceiling, and French and Spanish furniture, along with large wooden aviaries containing songbirds. Marble floors, oriental rugs and soaring columns add to the grandeur. Upstairs, Egyptian cotton duvets and plump featherbeds add comfort to the period drama. To top it off, there’s a world-class golf course, spa, wine club and sumptuous Sunday brunches—think flowing Champagne, oysters and more. The only drawback is the lonely location, but isolation bodes well for a peaceful vacation.

Neighborhood: The Biltmore is tucked away in the heart of suburban Coral Gables, which means it’s quiet but also quite removed from Miami Beach. Though a 20-minute drive puts you smack in Little Havana.

Nearby:
Shops at Merrick Park: For high-end shopping, quiet strolls and people watching; Sunday afternoons bring a small-scale farmers’ market with prepared foods and sweets for the kiddos
Vizcaya Museum & Gardens: For a glimpse of old Florida through the eyes of one Miami’s richest residents, James Deering
Bulla Gastrobar: For delicious Spanish tapas, a buzzy happy hour scene and brunches that seemingly linger on forever