Miami beach hotel advice..Biltmore in Coral Gables or Ritz in Coconut Grove?
 

My husband and I are looking for an upscale place to stay for a quick 3 day getaway in January.We really want to stay on the beach, but the Ritz in Key Biscayne is starting at 549.00 p/night with no view. The Ritz in Coral Gables and the Biltmore are both about 100.00 less per night. I'd appreciate any thoughts or suggestions to help me decide. I'm also open to other recommendations. Thanks!

None of your hotels listed are in Miami Beach. They are in Miami.

While I think they are both gorgeous hotels and I love both the Grove and Coral Gables, if you want to be on the beach try:

Ritz-Carlton Biscayne Bay
Ritz-Carlton South Beach
Sonesta Beach Resort Miami Beach

Between the two, the Ritz is newer but the Biltmore is very, very nice and has great character. It also has the largest hotel swimming pool in the world or some such thing. Coral Gables is more upscale, Coconut Grove more crowded. The drive to beach from the Grove is a little quicker but not much. I would lean towards the Biltmore as it has more of a resort feel. Book dinner at Ortaniques and Normans if you stay in the Gables.

I think it really depends on what you plan to do. If you envision lying on the beach, I don't think either of the options are good. The idea of staying at an upscale beach resort is to have nice chaise lounges, drink service etc. I think your only beach option if you stay in these is to go to a public beach.

If you don't care about the beach, I'd opt for the Biltmore for the beauty of the pool area. I went to luxurylink.com to see if there were any other options for you and discovered a package for the Biltmore that might interest you.

http://luxurylink.com/fixedprice/fp_...46898&nav=

I stayed at the Biltmore in late September this year and loved it. It was still undergoing massive renovation but they were nearing completion then so it is likely done now.

The pool is one of the most lovely I've ever seen. Great cabanas at one end if you just want to spend a private day at the pool have lunch brought in and perhaps a massage.

The food at the hotel was excellent and they had two lively bars. It is very close to Coral Gables and that is a fun city. This experience however will be as far removed from the South Beach experience as you can get in Miami. Refined instead of glitzy, relaxing instead of "hot". No beach HG

JUst wanted to second the comment above. We also stayed at the Biltmore over Labor Day weekend and found it to be absolutely wonderful! Great accomodations, excellent restaurants and the concierge could not have been better. When they found out that I am a wine afficianado they set me up for attendance at a "members only" wine tasting that was taking place at the hotel. Like other have posted regarding the pool, it is huge. There are photo's from the 20's showing water polo matches in the pool---horses included.

You guys are the best! Thanks so much for your insights and advice, and especially the link for the package, mclaurie. Sounds like the Biltmore is
the way to go! Again, thanks for your time.