I was really pleased to revisit Miami two months ago, after a decade’s absence. So, naturally, my first stop was South Beach for a couple of nights to check out how much has actually changed. The art deco buildings are still there, of course. And you can still get a morning coffee at the News Café on Ocean Drive, which I often used to visit when on assignment in Miami in my younger days. But these have now been joined by many modern buildings designed by famous architects like Rem Koolhaas and Zaha Hadid, which definitely give Miami a new feel and a boost in the 21st century. Interested to see other parts of Miami as well, I relocated to Coral Gables, which is about a 20-minute drive from South Beach and checked into the Biltmore Hotel — a Miami icon and member of Leading Hotels of the World with a rich history nearly as old as the city itself. Created by visionary developer, George Merrick, The Biltmore Hotel enjoyed a magnificent gala opening in 1926. This 273-room resort includes 133 suites and features spectacular Mediterranean architecture incorporating classic Italian, Moorish and Spanish influences, spread over 150 acres of tropical landscape. The Biltmore has welcomed and today still welcomes the likes of presidents, Hollywood stars and business magnates. Everyone from Judy Garland to the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, from Bill Clinton to Al Capone has stayed at this iconic property. You don’t need to leave the resort after you have checked in because all your wishes will be impeccably fulfilled. From the superb golf course to the state-of-the-art spa. The hotel’s dining destinations include the award-winning Palme d’Or but also Fontana, a wonderful traditional Italian restaurant surrounding The Biltmore’s courtyard. I am an enthusiastic swimmer and The Biltmore’s incredible pool definitely blew me away. It is one of the largest hotel swimming pools in the country, measuring approximately 2,100 square metres. Before his tree-swinging days in Hollywood as Tarzan, Johnny Weismuller was a swimming instructor and later broke world records at The Biltmore pool.

Copyright 2017 Mart Engelen