howie67

My family and I will be staying in the Coral Gables section of Miami from 2/21/06 to 2/26/06. We have been thinking about going to the Venetian Pool. Will the water be too cold during that time of year to make it worthwhile to go there for a swim? Has anybody ever gone there during the winter months? Would you recommend going during the winter months? Thanks for any help you can give.

mclaurie

The pool is absolutely magnificent and worth just going to see. It's one of the few hotel pools I know of that allow outsiders to use it. What I can't remember is whether it's heated. Here's their website but it doesn't say anything one way or the other about heat.

http://www.venetianpool.com/VenetianPoolHome.html

amcc

If you're staying in Coral Gables, absolutely visit the pool. The weather might be cold, it might not be. Today is cool, but it was plain hot last week, keep your fingers crossed that your week is warm because it is not heated. It has been a very mild winter, though. It's actually a municipal pool, not a hotel pool and it is gorgeous. Saw on their website that children under 3 are not permitted, in case that is your situation.

GoTravel

mclaurie, what hotel? Are you thinking of The Biltmore? It is very close by and has its own spectacular pool.

The Venetian Pool is in a residential section of Coral Gables and is owned by the City of Coral Gables.

mclaurie

This is hysterical. I've now just discovered I never saw the Venetian Pool. I went to the Biltmore. Simply gorgeous, dahling.
http://spas.about.com/library/weekly/aa072003a4.htm

Are you telling me the Venetian pool is nicer???

marilynl

The Venetian Pool is quintessential Florida, and well worth visiting. I believe they used to have beauty pageants there in the Esther Williams era, for example. As a municipal pool, it is not as nice as The Biltmore's pool, but what hotel pool has a sandy shore section, for example? There is also a grotto, and other kitsch-y features that I don't remember. I raved about how neat it was to my daughter, a UM student, but when she finally went, she didn't really get the appeal. I think you have to be older to really appreciate the character of the Venetian Pool!

keysmom

Take a drive by the pool and peek in. Even if you don't swim, it's fun to see. If you see happy looking people swimming, then go in.
Here's a really off the beaten track tip - visit the manatees (marine mammals) that come to Coral Gables every year. They are in a canal that dead ends on Riviera Drive across the street from the Coral Gables High School track (right off Bird Road). This time of year, you'll usually see at least one. Once, I saw about 40. You can't swim with them or feed them - but it is amazing to see them.

lindasp62

LOVE LOVE LOVE this pool. It is absolutely fabulous, and has quite the history behind it also. I have been there at various months during the year, and I don't remember it being cold at any point. Highly recommend spending an afternoon there. have fun!

JulieVikmanis

book marking

sf7307

i had no idea the Venetian Pool still exists - wow, I went there with my family in 1959!