- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
The Biltmore Hotel
Rating Details »
Categories: Hotels, Local Flavor, Landmarks & Historical Buildings [Edit]
1200 Anastasia AveCoral Gables, FL 33134
(305) 445-1926
Tango lessons every Tuesday
Every Tuesday - Tango classes 8-9 p.m. for beginners. 9-10 p.m. for advanced students. $15 per person. 305-913-3102
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
Sponsored Result
Nearby Hotels
Marriott Miami Airport
- Location:
- Miami, FL
Rediscover the newly remodeled Mariott Miami Airport Hotel - mix work and relaxation with ease in the revitalized lobby of this... more »
35 reviews for The Biltmore Hotel
I didn't stay at the Biltmore (if only!), but I did spend a day at the spa, so I received complimentary passes to the pool. The pool is just gorgeous, with lush landscaping surrounding it, making it a beautiful tropical oasis. We had barely sat down when one of the waiters stopped by to bring us glasses of ice water and a menu. We decided to order pina coladas, which were generously sized and just spectacular. They were worth the $14 each I spent on them. The only problem was that it was just SO hot that day (about 96 degrees) that we had to drink them quickly since they were rapidly melting. After enjoying our frozen concoctions, we took a dip in the pool, which was very refreshing.
While we could've spent all day out there, we decided to change and take the tour they offer of the hotel. We really should have just stayed in the pool. It was probably the worst tour I've taken... the lady was very nice but rather clueless. I knew more about the history of the hotel than she did. We didn't even get to visit the infamous 13th floor because it was completely booked. It basically consisted of walking around looking at old pictures from when the hotel was built. Well, I could've very easily done that myself. But I'm not faulting the Biltmore for this - they are not the ones running the tour, it is done through an historic preservation society. Perhaps there are other tour guides that are better than the woman we had, but I wouldn't recommend the tour - it was a complete waste of time. We really wished we had just stayed in the water.
Other than the tour, we had such a wonderful time that we are definitely planning on coming back. I did not have the same experience as the other reviewers who say they received terrible service because they weren't hotel guests. We were not treated any differently than those staying at the hotel.
*Disclaimer - I did not stay at the hotel. I had drinks at the bar and spent a day enjoying the pool.
The Biltmore hotel is a beautiful hotel and home to the largest pool in the United States. My man and I dropped in on our second day at Miami after the Thunderstorms cleared up. You can opt to valet your car or self park by the side of the hotel.
We checked out their grounds which is tucked away in the lovely Coral Gables surrounded by lush grounds. The Biltmore is wonderful and so relaxing! I would definitely stay here. They have great deals in the off season so you may want to check it out. I called last week and it was $ 99 to rent a cabana by the pool for the day... This was for 2 people.
We grabbed drinks by the pool and the service was TOP notch. The waitress who served us was super friendly. My husband accidently dropped his drink and she quickly replaced it free of charge! Remember to look at your receipt cause they automatically add gratuity on your check. Definitely worth a stop on your trip in Florida or better yet if you want to stay in a quiet place away from the partying streets of South Beach, you may want to stay at the Biltmore. I Loved this place!
My hubby and I love it! We live down the street and it has become our second home!
This is a beautiful hotel with a friendly staff. I am a local but when my mother visited recently we decided to take a break from the house and live in luxury for a couple of days. The rooms are nice and the beds are very comfortable. The hotel has a beautiful pool that is nice to just hang out and have a drink or do some laps (it's very large).
A friend of mine at the Biltmore for a business meeting invited me to spend the day at a poolside Cabana with her. What a wonderful day to spend a Saturday!
You don't have to be a guest at the hotel to rent the cabana. They currently cost about $169 a day to rent. There is a dining table, a sofa, two bathrobes, and a double lounger in side the Cabana. Outside there are four loungers secluded by tropical shrubbery. A phone inside connects you to instant service for food or drinks. My friend and I joked that the cabana was so secluded, you really could get away with all kinds of shenanigans ...
After we went through the two bottles of champagne we brought ourselves (the wait staff didn't comment) we started ordering rounds of mojitos -- delicious! Service was friendly and prompt. Our server gladly retrieved my friend's drink from the cabana while we were enjoying the awesome and gigantic pool!
I am definitely coming back here for an indulgent day of day-drinking pool-side!
On my last night in Miami, I visited the Biltmore Hotel. I had heard it mentioned throughout my stay as "the place" to go. Well, I saw the huge pool, one of the largest in the States, but since it was evening, no one was in it and I actually couldn't tell how big it was.
Instead, I enjoyed the lobby much more and looking at the interesting chandeliers and huge bird cages.
We went upstairs where some people were filming something but fortunately, we were not barred from going out to the balcony to look at that giant swimming pool again.
There was plenty of parking and valet wasn't necessary as we parked close enough to the hotel.
I'd like to see the rooms one day. My gay boyfriend stayed here last year and told me it was definitely one of the best hotels he's ever been in.
I really liked the Biltmore. The staff was very friendly and the room was beautiful. I love the little terrace that overlooked the golf course and pool.
I came for an event in the ballroom. The ballroom is unbelievable. I love the large windows that overlook the golf course and pool as well. Waitstaff was great and so were the bartenders. Parking was easy and really no need for valet unless you don't want to walk.
Food was OK, being that it was an event I didn't get to pick what I wanted but desserts were amazing! so were the mango mojitos and I'm not even a fan of the mojito.
This is a five star property with brain damaged two star management. My family has been going here for years and we are continually amazed by the utter incompetence of this place at all levels. We attend plays there almost every month and for some unknown reason my wife likes the small wine bar on the first floor.
Don't get me wrong, the place is absolutely beautiful. But everything is just off. All of my meals in the courtyard (between 20-25) have been forgettable except for the setting. The wine bar is a nice, dark, cozy room that generally serves exceptionally overpriced Southern Wine and Spirits dreck. The only saving grace of the wine bar was Sean, one of the bartenders, who has since left for Jake's. He was the only competent employee at the Biltmore. The setting of the pool restaurant is beautiful, the food atrocious. And don't even get me started on the wildly over priced and over rated meals in the "fancy" restaurant.
We have stayed here several times when there was work taking place at our house. The rooms are dowdy, to be generous, late 70's style, installed in the late 80's and not changed since. Even the discounted rates we were given were excessive for what they are delivering.
It is really too bad that the management company has such deep hooks into the politics of the City. If there was some other competent operator such as a Four Seasons the Biltmore would be amazing.
Their Sunday brunch is nothing less than complete decadence. $75 may seem a bit much for a typical brunch - but that's the beauty of this place, there's nothing typical about it. The ambiance is surreal in it's lush palm trees and Spanish flair. It's like heaven on earth...or maybe just Miami.
Though I found everything to be delicious, I must say that their scallop ceviche cups with plantain chips and salsa were heavenly. Also, they have live music (guitar player when we attended) which really added to the preciousness of this tiny paradise.
Do yourself a favor and go here at least once, it's definitely worth every penny and then some!
The Sunday brunch at Fontana is simply the largest and most comprehensive that I have ever experienced. While one can view it as expensive ($75.00 pp), for those who enjoy seafood, the seafood station alone could very well pay for the meal with repeated trips to the crab and caviar station.
The courtyard is lined with different stations, from fresh sushi, to breads, pasta, meats, a omelet station and more plus indoors, a generous dessert station.
The restaurant staff quickly replaced soiled dishes and silverware and was very accommodating. While being seated in the courtyard is ideal, there is seating in the loggia, however, this is the same area where the food stations are at and it can appear somewhat awkward having those in line watching you dine on your eggs benedict.
The Biltmore is a beautiful facility, with the sweetest little birds in modern Victorian looking cages in the lobby, it was a treat to watch them while we waited for our reservation.
Reservations are a must and early seating is preferred, as guests tend to make a day of this eating event.
They don't appreciate water gun fights.
Beautiful and beautifully restored hotel run by a great team. Never a step wrong--excellent service, excellent food, excellent drinks. The greatest brunch in the world. The biggest pool (so they say) in the world. Superlative in every way. A real gem!
This place is a jewel in our backyard, anyone within driving distance to the Biltmore should make it a point to come here as often as possible. I am rating this place as the complete package, Hotel, Restaurant, Pool, Golf and more...
The lobby is nothing short of spectacular - spend some time there and your batteries will be fully recharged, there's just something special about spending time surrounded by luxury and good taste ...
I have breakfast here regularly as it is a preferred spot for early business...
Brunch on Sundays... easily the best in Miami.
Golf ... its OK, also a preferred venue for business.
The pool is one of the longest if not the longest hotel pool in Miami so it is perfect for laps when training for an open water race or triathlon.
The Gym, is quite complete, there is always a fundamental problem when you have share a gym with guests and members as it will definitely disrupt your routine, but the trainers are all well prepared and really know their stuff so hire one and get in shape.
The hotel - this a wonderful stay, again , it is quite an experience to be surrounded by sheer luxury in a historical setting.
If you are planning a trip to Miami, definitely consider a stay in this wonderful place.
As an added bonus, the Biltmore Hotel is also considered to be Haunted - so come in and enjoy your trip haunting included....
Do yourself a favor ... go to the Sunday Brunch. Shoot over to OpenTable and make your reservations now. You will not be disappointed. Be forewarned, it will set you back $75 per person, but it is well worth it.
Everything is delectable and plentiful. Allow yourself plenty of time (at least a couple of hours) to indulge in the endless stream of champagne and mimosas ... and pace yourself. The word marathon seems too harsh; this is much more of an extended Sunday stroll through an epicurean utopia.
The pool was gorgeous. Actually not many people were in the water. Maybe they thought they shouldn't spoil the view.
The lobby was interesting with bird cages in the middle. And we saw birds were making a nest inside.
I want to address the comment that says the place treats everyone that is not a guest like trash.
First, it is (unfortunately) true that I have never see the kind of rudeness I saw from Biltmore hotel staff from any other upscale place.
I attended a party by someone that had rented one of their pool cabanas. I believe their cabanas are generally not rented out, but apparently my friend got an exception through someone she knew inside the Biltmore.
So promptly after arriving they came to kick us out. My friend had bought a lot of food, drinks, etc. from the hotel, but that did not matter, they kicked us out anyway.
Now, the issue is not that they told us to leave, as apparently the "exception" that had been made when the cabana was rented to my friend was "poor judgement" by the hotel staff that she knew. Apparently this hotel staff "should have known better".
The problem, though, was how they treated us when they told us to leave. It was RIDICULOUS, the woman was as rude as can be. The security guard she brought with her was even ashamed of her and just stared at her open-mouthed while she screamed and told us to get out before she called the cops. Imagine the humiliating scene for my friend who had invited a dozen of her close friends. I think the peak of the humiliation came when she was given the 'option' to take away the mini-burgers with us, she decided to dump them in the trash. I would have done the same.
OK - that said. When I went and had a "legitimate" claim to be on the property (this was actually before the incident above) it was incredible, the food, service, class of staff, etc.
So - there you have it. Make up your own mind.
We stayed here for our honeymoon, for four nights.
We were on a suite on the 6th floor and got our own personal balcony.
WOW. $500 a night really does pay!
+When we came to the lobby, we were greeted with champagne.
+We were sent complementary wine and grapes to our room.
+Parking (if not valet) is free and easy to access
+The pool is GORGEOUS, especially swimming under the stars.
+Room service is ridiculously expensive, but we splurged on breakfast and had it on our balcony. What a view!
+Bed was fluffly and promptly made, and we had a flatscreen TV.
It really was relaxing and everything you could ask for in a hotel.
I love pools and this is the biggest pool in the US. My BF is the best for taking me here.
I'm giving this hotel four stars for one reason only. Okay, two. First, the absolutely stunning lobby and grounds. Second, the sheets and bedding. That's it.
Their staff has, as they say in Italy "la puzza sotto il naso" (stink under their nose). In particular, the hostess for the Fountain restaurant looked like a character from a Mad TV skit (model wannabe, looking at you with sullen boredom as you approach, as if she was horrified you were thinking of sullying her restaurant, looking about as welcoming as Posh Spice being asked to MC the opening of a K-Mart in Alabama, with no paparazzi).
Although my reservation had been made a month in advance, and for a junior suite, they tried to put my in a room overlooking the air conditioning vents (or as they euphimistically called it a "tennis court vew") on the second floor. The second floor is lobby level. There are sixteen floors in the hotel. When I balked, they did this long tappy-tappy-tappy thing on the computer and told me no rooms were available. Meanwhile, I'd just seen them switch a room for a guy in line in front of me (Cuban, natch).
When I told them this, there was alot more tappy-tappy action, and then the manager came around and told me that I waited until three, I could get a better room (he actually said "better", acknowledging I was being given a shitty room). It was 20 minutes to three, so I kind of felt I was being punished, and that this was a "putting me in my place" action. Mind you, I'd been very polite during this whole transaction.
Other disappointments: very expensive internet. Gilchrist and Soames toiletries (bottom of the barrel stuff...you get them at Holiday Inns). I got a splitting headache one evening and when I asked for a couple of Tylenol I was told "we don't provide that service," Huh? Again, most hotels do so without batting an eyelash.
A pot of coffee (4 cups worth) was $10. I ordered it with toast, and the toast arrived stone cold, just thrown on a plate. Finally, the toilet didn't work properly, and made huge shuddering sounds and shook whenever I flushed. I got paranoid that the whole thing was going to erupt on me...
However, the pool is one of the most beautiful in the world, the architecture is fantastic, and the little croissants they sell in the news shop are divine (and made on the premises). There are sweet strange bird cages housing tiny finches in the lobby, and lovely tennis courts.
You're not walking distance to anywhere, so if you don't rent a car you're stuck at the hotel. However, the bed is so comfy that you'll just want to stay put in your room, flicking through the 3000 Spanish and 80000 sports channels, wondering how anyone could have the brazen cacahuetas to sell a bottle of tap water for $6. And then you'll think of Snotsy the Maitre d' Nazi Lady at the restaurant downstairs, and understand.
We stayed here for a couple weeks while we were waiting to move into our new house in Coral Gables. I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed my stay! I was sad to leave yet excited to move into the Coral Gables neighborhood!
Extremely beautiful Spanish-style grounds with a lovely small church across the street (really, you should visit both, but that's my opinion). Take a walk around and enjoy the golf course, pool, the courtyard (1st and 2nd floor), exquisite bird cages in the lobby of the hotel, the ballroom on the east side of the building, second floor, the fountains, and more.
I came for the uber-expensive Sunday brunch buffet (will set you back more than 60 bucks per person). It is definitely worth it for a special occasion, and it's definitely a perfect one for all the mothers out there that loves what I would term as casual-elegance in every way. The service was top-notch (although sometimes a bit slow).
As for the food, there were too much to name, all of which tried to fit nicely into my belly a-la-compressed mode. There were seven stations. But to name a few of the offering, there was excellent lamb, prime rib, pork, sushi, caviar (three types, perfect for topping blintzes), pasta station, crepes station, chocolate fondue fountain (this is the tackiest thing, in my opinion), profiteroles with dulce de leche (and other desserts - check out the chocolates here), stuffed grape leaves, your perfect croissants, ceviches, oysters, crab legs, salmon (smoked, regular, and roe), octopus salad, various types of couscous, and gosh... ever so more of culinary delights from around the globe! Couple that with complimentary mimosa or champagne, and you're set.
Not everything was perfect-tasting, but I must say a huge portion of it was excellent and worth it. Just take upon this advice to take advantage of any "buffet" style dining: nibble on your offerings and find your favorite and THEN pig out!
This hotel is super nice and beautiful. My friend and I came here for a spa day (see the spa review for that lovely experience). We didn't stay here but spent a good amount of time at the pool and had a great late lunch at the restaurant next to the pool. =)
The service was amazing and the our lunch was delicious. We shared the burger and veggie wrap and bloody marys, of course!
The sun was setting and the reflection in the pool was so pretty. All the lights around the pool came on and it gave the area an entire different vibe.
The lobby is also pretty exquisite. There are bird cages and historic items displayed. It's absolutely beautiful and looking forward to staying here one day.
I would definitely hesitate to call this place a resort but yes it is a very amazing hotel. I stayed there once but I grew up nearby and have been for many events and many times to enjoy the pool or the mother's day brunch. A word about the mother's day brunch: THE BEST YOU WILL HAVE. It is HUGE. The entire area is lined with every kind of food you can imagine from omelettes to pasta to meditteranean to sushi. The hotel has many floors and is very old time. The elevators are surprisingly modern though. They have great room service and some very comfy rooms. The pool is among the biggest you will ever see. A giant L of aquatic goodness. They have so many events for the community held here including many science topics/discussions/speeches which I would frequently attend.
It sometimes takes a lot for a place to really "wow" me, and the Biltmore definitely delivers. Nestled back in a residential area just outside of downtown Coral Gables, the drive up to this place is cool in itself with wide streets and a roundabout with a large, European-style statue in the middle. Then you get closer and see the actual hotel and surrounding grounds and it's like a hidden gem that you wouldn't really expect to find in the Miami area. Beautifully kept architecture and grounds, great old, classic buildings in an area which is sometimes better known for demolishing everything old in favor of new construction.
I was invited here this past weekend for a hospitality/cocktail party for the dancers and their teams who were in town performing for the International Ballet Festival. It was held in one of the banquet rooms on the main lobby floor (there is a main lobby and a lower lobby). I was in the lobby for a few moments waiting to meet someone, and I think I spent more time looking up than I did looking around...The ceilings are that interesting! Coffered and vaulted ceilings with great paint schemes and fabric coverings in some areas. There are also 2 huge bird cages in the lobby which appear to be original to the hotel, and lots of old, interesting architecture nearly everywhere you looked. Inside the banquet room, I found another great space with stone walls, vaulted, decorative ceilings and a loft area on one end of the room which is where I'd imagine the orchestras were placed back when this space was truly used as a "ballroom" in the 20s and 30s.
The Biltmore was constructed in the 1920s for $10 million and renovated in the 1980s at a cost of $55 million. The place is impressive inside and out... If you've not had the chance to go inside just to look around and check it out, do it!
I attended a wedding here, well by accident. I guess you could say I crashed. =).. JK! What can I say about the Biltmore. WOW! Amazing place. I didn't get to stay here but I did come by to have dinner and drinks. What a nice nice experience. The pool is amazing, the drinks where delicious. I would say this is the perfect place for a wedding. Oh yeah and about the wedding that was taken place, people thought we were guest of the wedding so when we left we were offered flower arrangements. The staff was so nice they even put the flower arrangements in our car. =) Who can say no to red roses =)
Never stayed at the Biltmore Hotel but did visit for their well-known "afternoon tea" service that those Brits do love to do...so enter their impressive lobby and ask for their "tea" special so you'll be directed into some antique-styled chairs, surrounded by gilt and old school luxury, and get served a variety of teas, scones, and dainty sandwiches. It's a social custom that seems very monied, almost Palm Beach like, when you're here.
The tea service is only available during a short period in the day, so I'd call ahead to ask. This is an idea a mum could love.
As a reputation, the Biltmore is flawless, whenever visiting dignataries meet or diplomatic meetings take place, the Biltmore is the hotel of choice. Why? Cause I'm always the one stuck in traffic watching their limos whizz by on local roads. Last time, I was around, Bill Clinton paid a visit for some shindig.
Edit: Found out that Bad Boys filmed a segment of their movie here involving Tea Leoni jumping from the roof/tower into the pool. Also, according to Wikipedia, segments from CSI and Miami Vice also were filmed here.
This is an amazing hotel with an old Spanish style feeling to it but it still has that good atmosphere and they have a huge area with pools and other things to do.
A simply amazing facility. Went to a wedding here and it was the most gorgeous place ever!
The courtyard feels palatial, the pool is as good as advertised (although I can't see how it's the biggest in the US), the gift shops have everything you need (including a well-stocked cigar 'closet'), and the bars have every top shelf liquor you could possibly desire.
Interesting facts:
1) The governor of FL used to live here
2) It was a hospital in the 1940s
3) The hotel knows it is cool enough to give a tour
4) It's tucked away in a very residential neighborhood
Pamper yourself - you're worth it!
The Biltmore is a gem of a hotel located just outside Miami. Huge and imposing as you drive up, this place appeared to have three or more simultaneous weddings going on a Saturday night. Some outside, in the hot muggy, south Florida heat. Yuck.
The exotic birds in the lobby give visitors something to look at while waiting for hotel guests to come down and meet them.
They purport to have the largest pool of any hotel in the US. It's really big, although I was disappointed by the lack of an island bar.
The staff were predictably helpful, even though we were not there as guests ourselves. Truly a luxurious hotel.
The rate is $199 for a standard room to $500 for a suite, that's not bad at all. It's worth the money if you want to stay at a spectacular hotel.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
8/18/2008
From far the hotel was already breathtaking with the grandeur and expanse occupying a large estate… Read more »
Just got back from the "What's Hip Wednesday" event at the Biltmore Hotel's bar. Hosted by "Trend Tracker" Tara Gilani, the evening proved to be a truly enjoyable one. Aside from the half-price cocktails, free appetizers (the good kind, not the frozen-and-just-nuked kind) and fashion show by Neiman's -- there's something to be said about just being at the Biltmore. Sure, it's totally chichi, but it's also got this inherent Old-world vibe, which is SO refreshing in a fickle town like Miami where clubs come and go. It's nice to know that some things do stay the same. Amen to that.
The most beautiful hotel around. Love this place. Makes the chore of coming to Fl (for work) well worth it.
Gorgeous pool, rich people drinking mojitos around it, bird cages in the lobby. High drama elegance. The bathrooms weren't gorgeous - but who cares?
I love the BIltmore for so many reasons. I am a photographer and have found myself at this hotel pretty regularly over the past six years. The staff is genuine and very service oriented. I have also been a couple times for their incredible Sunday Brunch. This is an experience to remember. The Biltmore is a fabulous location if you really want to impress a date. Dinner at the beautiful restaurant, and a romantic stroll around the grounds is sure to please. Sure, it is pricey, but really a treat in so many ways. The Biltmore is so much more than a luxury hotel and restaurant. It is a stunning architectural and historical landmark. It is a beautiful golf course, a huge world class pool, a performing arts theater, a well appointed day spa, a complete fitness center, a trendy bar (and I am sure there are things I am leaving out). I am also a bellydance instructor and have taught classes at the world class Biltmore Fitness Center. The fitness center is not just for Hotel guests, it is primarily used by Biltmore Club members. Plenty of equipment, well maintained, clean and an incredible selection of classes and instructors.
i've never actually stayed at the hotel, but am a HUGE fan of the brunch. it seriously must be experienced to be believed. when the weather isn't too hot (so, maybe 5 months out of the year) get a table in the courtyard by the fountain and gorge yourself on every imaginable bit of deliciousness - complemented by all you can drink champagne and mimosas. maybe i made up the all you can drink part, i think they put it in a much classier way. this will be the only meal you eat all day and is well worth the cost. an oyster bar, crab legs, sushi, crepes, carving stations, a chocolate fountain...and that's just scratching the surface. the atmosphere is very decadent - in a good way - and the pool is breathtaking. if i were rich as hell, i would have my wedding there, hands down, it's like one of those places you can't believe is real.
