"It doesn’t get any more old school Miami than this—a regal Mediterranean revival hotel that dates back to 1926 and has hosted presidents, dignitaries and even Oprah over the years. The lobby still retains the trappings of that bygone era with hand painted frescoes on barrel vaulted ceilings, travertine floors, marble columns and carved mahogany furnishings. But despite the throwback charm, this grand dame has maintained its vast offerings and kept up with a modern crowd, having undergone a $35 million renovation in 2018 that updated all the rooms and common areas. And there’s no lack of amenities over the 150-acre property, with a lavish spa and salon, multiple tennis courts, the recently restored 18-hole Donald Ross Championship Golf Course (home of the Jim Mclean Golf Academy), and a choice of four restaurants. The colossal pool is an attraction in its own right, holding the title of largest largest hotel pool in the continental U.S. (with its own quirky history of hosting alligator wrestling) and flanked by Roman statues and cascading waterfalls." - Sara Liss, Jennifer M. Wood
