When you hear Miami, the first thing you associate it with is the famous Miami Beach. However, there are certain neighborhoods, such as Coral Gables, that are up and coming places for style, culture, and fun, each with its own charm signature. Coral Gables was begun as a planned residential community, but it has evolved to so much more, with numerous art galleries, eclectic dining, and an atmosphere of intellectual playfulness. When looking for a place to stay in the heart of this city, look at the Courtyard by Marriott Coral Gables.
Fountains and cookies – The lobby
Located in Ponce de Leon Blvd, within a 5 minute walk to the famous Miracle Mile, an assortment of shops, restaurants, and cafes, Courtyard by Marriott Miami Coral Gables seems like a typical building in the street. Flanked with either apartment buildings or commercial ones, it does not necessarily stand out but it’s homey feel as soon as you get inside your room makes you think otherwise. The parking lot is located behind the building, and you’ll have to make a quick walk to get to the lobby of the hotel.
The lobby isn’t big, but it has a nice gurgling fountain and a front desk area. There is a small sitting area, in case you are waiting for your room to be ready or some friends to come pick you up. What makes it unique is that by 3PM, they have a fresh batch of chocolate chip cookies that they put on the front desk, available for anyone to enjoy. Better hurry if you see those cookies as they go fast, and they rarely put out a second batch.
If you are a health buff, there is a small gym available on site, and for other food choices, you may opt to get breakfast in the hotel for an additional fee. There is also a small pool on site. There are also lots of choices for food, shopping, and nightlife within a quick 5-10 minute walk from the hotel, which makes the location ideal for a stay in a more quiet part of Miami.
Spacious, quiet room
The room is quite typical of any hotel that you may visit: a queen bed (or two doubles, depending on your preference), a clean bathroom with a showerhead and a tub, a work desk, a TV, microwave, and loveseat. One drawback is that the A/C can be a little loud at times, but the room has big windows and the hotel itself is in a residential area, so it is quiet at night.
The buzzing streets of Coral Gables
The streets of Miami are never empty at midnight, and this is the case at Coral Gables. People are always buzzing about, and the energy is inspiring. This is more notable in the so called Miracle Mile, a street a mile long filled with mostly independent shops, restaurants, and bars.
One of the biggest independent bookstores in America, Books & Books. This bookstore is perfect for bibliophiles, as they sell signed editions of books, as well as being a host to some book signings by superstar authors (such as David Sedaris). If you’re lucky enough, you can queue up to get a book signed by one of your favorite authors, and get a chance to chat with them. You can also opt to grab a coffee, a dessert, or a meal at their in house cafe.
There are also grand buildings whose architecture can blow you away within a few blocks from the Miracle Mile area. It’s mix of residential and commercial buildings, a few new, a few historic, leaves you with a sense of wonder as you wander through the numerous streets of Coral Gables.
Eclectic Miami charm
Whether you’re going for business or pleasure, Coral Gables’ central location makes for a good and interesting visit for any traveler. It is a dynamic and fun neighborhood, where celebrities can appear when you least expect it, where there is a tremendous variety of places to eat and drink, such as Sushi Maki, a great place for sushi and boba tea.
History
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