The Biltmore Hotel

The Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables is a National Historic Landmark. It dates from the mid-1920s, and the hotel's own archive photographs show George Merrick, the founder of Coral Gables, at the site in 1925; it is now celebrating its centennial. The building combines Mediterranean architecture with Italian, Moorish and Spanish influences, and it is crowned by a spiralling Moorish tower in the style of the Giralda.

The hotel has 271 guest rooms, of which 173 are suites. The hotel describes its pool as one of the largest hotel pools in the United States, and it is surrounded by private cabanas and daybeds, and it is a real attraction on hot days. Golfers can play the Biltmore Golf Course, an 18-hole, par-71 championship course originally designed in 1925 by Donald Ross and updated for the modern game. There is also a spa, a salon, a fitness centre and tennis courts.

Fontana is the main restaurant, serving Italian-inspired cuisine, and other options include Cascade by the pool, Fairways at the golf course, the Biltmore Bar and afternoon tea. Sunday brunch is a weekly event, and the hotel also runs seasonal dinners and holiday celebrations, which are worth checking on the website if your stay coincides with them.

The Biltmore suits couples, golfers, families who want space and a large pool, and anyone interested in history and architecture. It is a quieter alternative to staying on Miami Beach, and it makes a good base for exploring Coral Gables, Coconut Grove and Vizcaya. You will need a car, taxi or ride-share to reach the beaches, so factor that into your plans.

Even if you are staying elsewhere, the hotel is worth a visit for afternoon tea, Sunday brunch or a drink at the Biltmore Bar, which gives you time to admire the architecture and the grounds. Golfers should book tee times early using the golf course's own number, 305 460 5364, especially in the cooler months when demand is highest.

The hotel is at 1200 Anastasia Avenue. The Venetian Pool at 2701 De Soto Boulevard and Tinta y Café on Ponce de León Boulevard are both in Coral Gables, and Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is a drive south. Reservations can be made online or by phone on 305 445 1926, and the golf course has its own number for tee times.