Hotels Coral Gables

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  Biltmore Hotel

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  Holiday Inn University of Miami

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In the early 1900s, George Merrick dreamt of a city that would capture a little bit of paradise. This place would be beautiful and filled with fountains, esplanades, plazas and wonderful Mediterranean Revival designs. This dream of Merrick's became what is now known as Coral Gables, also known as "The City Beautiful". This city is deserving of its nickname and even today, the city still holds true to Merrick's dream. With its timeless grace, well-preserved history, perfect harmony with its surroundings and some great homes and hotels Coral Gables will be a place that you will never forget and will never want to forget.

Beauty is definitely not lacking within the city limits. For instance, when you visit the Fairchild Tropical Botanical Gardens, you will be captured by the stunning plants before you. Located around some of the most beautiful estates in the city, the gardens offer a wonderful arrangement of gorgeous flowers. The park can be considered a living laboratory in many ways with its wealth of flower species. Also, the park is home to a great variety of palm trees. In fact, it has the largest palm collection within the country and it keeps the National Palm Collection. There is no doubt that when you visit, you will feel like you have been transported to a whole new world as you view world-renowned plants, superb horticultural displays and endangered species. You can even take a calming walk through the beautiful paths and vistas for some real aromatherapy. The park offers a 45-minute tour on a tram that is well worth taking.

For a view of a different kind of beauty beyond the gardens, the parks and the wonderful area hotels Coral Gables Museum is the place to go, not only for its physical attractiveness but for some great activities and exhibits. For many years the leaders of the city wanted to build a museum to showcase the history of the city and hold exhibitions, but it wasn't until 2005 when the city's old Municipal Building deteriorated and needed a major renovation that the opportunity arose. Since the city has many strict ordinances about building preservation, the building wasn't destroyed. Instead, it became what is now the Coral Gables Museum. The building, although a museum that celebrates the city, is also a piece of history itself. With its structure made of Revival Coral Deco and Mediterranean stone, the building is part of the National Register of Historic Places. Since its restoration, it has become one of the major cultural institutions in the city with great events such as Jazz in the Plaza. This free event is usually held in the early part of the year. When in the city, stop by the museum to view its beauty and stay for an event.

If you love art, the Lowe Art Museum, located on Stanford Drive on the University of Miami Coral Gables campus, is a wonderful treat. There are beautiful collections representing different cultures and regions in the world, including Latin American, Native American and African Art. In addition, there are works of art by Goya, Picasso, Pizarro and many other famous artists. The museum is one of the best in the entire Miami area.

To view a real life work of art, head over to the Venetian pool. This special city attraction is breathtaking. Tucked behind gates made of wrought iron and walls of pastel stucco, sits this historical pool. It is also in the National Register of Historic Places and is quite possibly the only pool on the list. Whether or not it is the only pool can be argued, but what can't be argued is its many unique features such as vine covered loggias, Spanish fountains, observations towers that are three stories high, shady porticos and so much more. In addition to those features, it has underground artesian wells that feed into the pool. In fact, during summer months, the pool is drained every night and its very large 800,000 gallons of clear water is replenished by the subterranean aquifer underneath it. When you visit the pool you will find it such a captivating place that whether you decide to swim or not, you will at least want to let your toes soak in, while you enjoy the view.

A visit to the city will capture your attention as you view the wonderful buildings, breathe in the refreshing air and enjoy the accommodations at area hotels Coral Gables has to offer. It is a place where you can truly escape to paradise.

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