Biltmore Hotel, Coral Gables Announces Course Restoration and Room Renovation

The Biltmore Hotel, an iconic hotel in the heart of the exclusive area of Coral Gables, Florida, has announced the redesign of all of the hotel’s luxurious accommodations and corridors and restoration of its 18 hole, par 71 golf course to the grandeur of the original 1925 Donald Ross-designed layout. The Biltmore is a national historic landmark established in 1926 and a member of the Leading Hotels of the World.

“We are proud to be celebrating The Biltmore’s relaunch via its rooms and corridors renovation and golf course restoration projects,” said Gene Prescott, President & CEO of The Biltmore Hotel. “This historic landmark is a pure treasure of the City of Coral Gables, and the newly redesigned elements allow us to highlight the hotel’s old-world feel while exceeding today’s modern-day standards of hospitality and golf offerings. We remain committed to the property’s success while maintaining its status as a first-rate world-class destination.”

The golf course’s original routing plan that has been restored has additional bunkering and mounding that provides ‘movement’ to the fairways that have more twists and turns as they flow from tee-to-green-into the hole. This movement has a positive impact on both course aesthetics as well as strategic playing interest of the renovated layout. New Bermuda grass has been installed on all tees, fairways and greens, and the driving range and short game practice areas have been enhanced to allow for private instruction and top-notch facilities with same grass surfaces. The golf course officially opened December 15.

“Reacting to this movement, the more accomplished players can take the risky route to shorten the distance from tee to green, which is the ultimate litmus test for a good golf course. And, while such a course will maintain the playing interest of the low handicap player, it will also be manageable for the leisurely player and high handicappers to enjoy,” said Brian Silva, 25 year veteran golf course architect overseeing the restoration.

While the course is already home to the University of Miami Women’s golf team and the NCAA Hurricane Invitational, in January 2018 it became the headquarters for the famous Jim McClean Golf School and is being considered as a potential host site for a future PGA Tour Champions event after extension of the overall course length to 7,100 yards. These new developments, coupled with the fact that for 54 consecutive years The Biltmore Golf Course was the host site of the Junior Orange Bowl Invitational Golf Championship, ensures that top golfers will compete at this course once again. The course already boasts an amazing alumni list that includes but is not limited to Tiger Woods, Lexi Thompson. Bubba Watson, Sergio Garcia, Rickie Fowler, Mark Calcavecchia, Gary Koch, Brooke Henderson, Christie Kerr and Michelle McGann. A new updated Biltmore Golf Pro-shop will carry the finest apparel and accessories for the guest and avid golfers, and the 19th-Hole Sports Bar & Grill, overlooking the golf course, serves breakfast, lunch and “Brews of the World.”

The main theme that will transpire throughout the hotel’s rooms’ relaunched design is its rich, storybook history. Inspired by George Merrick and his love for South Florida’s natural landscape, the newly revolutionized spaces incorporate the sage green from South Florida foliage, the rich greens of Coral Gables’ canopy roads, and the warm Mediterranean architectural inlays of the property’s original design. The rooms relaunch will be a fresh take on the hotel’s history of old world glamour and regal elegance with the addition of royal hues, luxurious materials, and elegant furnishings that harmonize seamlessly with the newly refurbished main lobby. Designer touches include romantic gemstone chandeliers over the beds, classic molding that complement the hotel’s character, couture fabrics such as cut velvets, embroidered damask, framed art created from original architectural blueprints and imported plush carpeting.

“We are honored to have partnered with The Biltmore Hotel to bring a new era of elegance to the guestrooms and suites of this truly historic property,” said Dee Malone, Principal, D’Shakil Designs. “We sought to integrate the current, yet elegant feel our team brought to the main lobby while honoring the legendary architectural details Merrick envisioned for this grand resort in relation to the Coral Gables community as a whole.”

In addition, a state of the art 10,000 square foot fitness center with new Technogym equipment and over 100 weekly Benessere exercise classes, a new exclusive Babor(skincare industry pioneer) product line in the 12,000 square foot Biltmore Spa & Store located on the 7th floor with full service treatments along with privacy and spectacular views of the manicured grounds complement the Hotel’s gracious amenities. There is ample meeting space in the hotel and Conference Center of the Americas for private functions and large meetings.

To make reservations, tee times or get information on meeting and conference space please visit BiltmoreHotel.com or call 800-727-1926.