Hotel Colonnade Coral Gables

Hotel Colonnade Coral Gables, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel occupies an imposing structure built in a neoClassical-inspired style with long windows and ground-floor columns holding up the entryway's portico. Inside, the lobby is pure Miami chic, with three-story ceilings, peach-and-charcoal marble floors, and a sweeping staircase that leads up to a second-floor mezzanine area with banquette seating. There's also a check-in area with gray-and-white marble reception desks backed by colorful modern art, plus a mix of modern chandeliers and recessed lighting. It's a snappy look that appeals to both leisure and business travelers, including those attending business functions and weddings on the property. 

The Colonnade is located in Coral Gables, a lovely neighborhood dating back to the 1920s that's sandwiched between Coconut Grove and the coast. There are numerous restaurants and shops on Miracle Mile, a few minutes walk away, and the Venetian Pool takes 20 minutes to reach on foot (or about six minutes to get to by car. The famous Biltmore Hotel and its golf course is under a 10-minute drive away. Downtown Miami is a 20-minute drive away, while getting to the airport takes only 15 minutes without traffic.

The Colonnade offers 157 rooms across a variety of categories, ranging from snug Colonnade Rooms that measure 309 to 325 square feet (29 to 30 square meters), all the way up to huge Luxury Suites, about three times the size of their entry-level counterparts, plus 15 two-story Miracle Mile Lofts with kitchenettes. Decor throughout rooms is chic, contemporary, and vivid, with dark-wood floors offset by gray accent walls, colorful modern art and neon-hued accent cushions, and sleek chairs and sofas. Standard amenities include iHome radios, coffeemakers, mini-fridges, and electronic safes. Bathrooms are just as chic, with mosaic-style accent wallpaper and rainfall showers, and wall-mounted C.O. Bigelow toiletries are provided. Note that there have been past complaints of ambient noise coming from other rooms.

The Colonnade has a good variety of features for a medium-sized hotel, starting with its dining options. Breakfast is available for a fee at Aragon Cafe, which features both buffet and a la carte offerings. For lunch and dinner, there's Mortno's the Steakhouse, which also serves seafood dishes with indoor and outdoor seating. Crema is open daily and features espresso drinks, juice, pastries, and light meals such as salads, while the Lobby Bar serves cocktails, snacks, and sandwiches. Room service is available as well.

Other features include a fitness center with Life Fitness cardio equipment plus free weights, with views out on the hotel's outdoor heated swimming pool, which is flanked with lounge chairs and plush patio sofas with a whirlpool hot tub at one end.. There's also a small shop selling snack items and drinks, with a microwave for guests who want to heat up basic items. The Game Room is particularly impressive, with shuffleboard, foosball, pool, darts, and a wide range of board games.

Business amenities include a business center with computers and printing, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel (although access requires signing up for the Starwood rewards program). The hotel also has 11 indoor and outdoor event spaces for up to 600 guests, including the beautiful Merrick Ballroom, an elegant space with 14-foot-high ceilings that's often used for weddings. Valet and Self Parking are available for a fee.