· Open -

Built 1925 / Opened 1926

· 1st Owner -

· Biltmore Hotel Chain

· AKA -

· Was known as Miami's Creepy Hotel

· Stars - *****

· Guests -

The Duke of Windsor / Ginger Rogers / Judy Garland / Bing Crosby / President Franklin D. Roosevelt / Al Capone / Obama / Clinton

· History -

Built by George Merrick who also founded the University of Miami and developed to suburb of Coral Gables. 

The hotel opening was the social event of the year. In its heyday it was one of the most fashionable resorts in the country and it attracted all of the A - listers to its many events.

During the depression they hosted Aquatic extravaganzas in their amazing pool which were attended by 3,000 people. At the time it was the world's largest swimming pool. They featured Esther Williams run synchronized swimming, bathing beauties, alligator wrestling and 4 year old boy wonder- Jackie Ott who dived into the pool from an 85 foot platform.

When World War ll started the hotel was turned into an Army Hospital. It remained a Veterans Hospital up until 1968.

In 1973 the City of Coral Gable took ownership but it sat idle for 10 years. In 1983 they initiated full restoration for US$55 million and it was reopened in 1987 as a 4**** Hotel and Resort. It lasted 3 years before the economic downturn saw it closing again.

Today it is open again and back to its former glory

· Signature -

Giralda Tower

· Rooms -

273 @ $567 - $3900

· Tales -

Gangster Thomas "Fatty" Walsh was shot and murdered at a party on the 13th floor by another gangster. This gave rise to a lot of ghost stories over the years. 

Also being an Army and Veterans hospital for so long would have given him a lot of company.

During the hotels abandoned years it used to terrify the local children who thought it was haunted and would sneak in on occasion and report seeing floating bodies and men in military uniforms.

Ghost stories about the hotel were told in the lobby to an eager audience for 10 years by Linda Spitzer before she moved on

· Claim to Fame -

World famous swimming pool, one of the largest hotel pools in the USA / Before he became Tarzan Johnny Weismuller was a swimming instructor at the pool here. He later broke world records in the pool / It is a National USA Historic Landmark / The Al Capone Suite

· Innovations -

23,000 square foot pool that holds 600,000 gallons of water / Culinary Academy with a variety of lessons for adults and children

· Feature -

9 Private Cabanas around the pool / 150 acres of lush tropical landscape

· View -

Sweeping Tropical landscape, World Famous Swimming Pool, Golf Course and the tree lined streets of Coral Gables

· High Tea -

At Afternoon Tea at the Biltmore with live harp music

· Facilities -

Donald Ross Golf course / Weddings / 4 Shops / Adjacent Tennis Centre / Fitness Centre with over 100 weekly classes / Spa Centre

· Unique -

The Pool / The Landscaping / The Tower / The Golf Course / The History

· Restaurants -

Fontana- Italian

Palm d'Or - French

Cascade - Mediterranean overlooking the famous pool

19th Hole - Golf Club Sports Bar & Grill

Sunday Brunch - Snacks & the Sunday Brunch experience

· Bars -

The Cellar Club Bar - Coffee and pastries in the morning

· Sights -

Shopping and dining at nearby Village of Merrick Park / Vizcaya museum and gardens / Coconut Grove / The Everglades / Miami / South Beach / Little Havana / The Venetian Pool

· Extra -

See Key west to New York (#50The Appalachian Way) and New Orleans to Key West (#120 The Pan Handle) in USA in 'Countries'.