Highlights: The Ritz-Carlton, Coconut Grove

•The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, Miami is an intimate romantic villa in a tropical setting

•Elegant mahogany furniture, fresh-cut flowers, and floor-to-ceiling windows overlook views of Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline

•The hotel’s restaurant, Biscaya, serves Mediterranean cuisine

•Full-service business center and close proximity to Miami’s business district cater to business travelers

•The hotel’s Amadeus Bar area is transformed every Tuesday into a gathering place for tango

•Cascading courtyard waterfall centers a stone and marble staircase that leads to the outdoor pool on the hotel’s second floor

•Just minutes from cultural venues, such as Villa Vizcaya, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, and Miami Theater of Performing Arts, and just 20 minutes from South Beach nightlife and world-class beaches

Amenities: The Ritz-Carlton, Coconut Grove

• 115 rooms. High-speed Internet access. Restaurant, three bars. Fitness center. Spa. Outdoor pool. Airport transportation available.

General Impressions: The Ritz-Carlton, Coconut Grove

Located in the heart of a charming bayfront village, The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, Miami is a perfect romantic getaway for couples seeking a sense of privacy and old-world charm. Business travelers will also find this a quiet refuge, conveniently located just 20 minutes from Miami’s downtown business district.

Upon entering the hotel, I was struck by the beautiful lobby with long-stem roses--bound and leaning just slightly--in a variety of tall, elegant vases, and the 20-foot ceiling with floor-to-ceiling windows and large Venetian-style columns reminiscent of a European cathedral. Hand-woven area rugs made from New Zealand wool and a stone fireplace with a 10-foot hand-carved mirror from Spain created a luxurious, yet comfortable neo-classical décor. The backdrop of the lobby offers guests a view of cascading waterfalls in a lovely courtyard and a stone and marble double concave staircase leading to the outdoor pool on the second floor.

The hotel offers elegance and comfort in an urban neighborhood atmosphere, a nice option for couples or getaway travelers seeking a little nightlife and shopping without the hustle and bustle of the city. Although the space doesn’t offer much for families, it does offer babysitting services and close proximity to the beach.

The guest rooms are comfortable and well appointed, with lavish antique mahogany furniture and expansive balconies with floor-to-ceiling windows, offering a lovely view of Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline. The marble bathrooms are spacious and luxurious, with a large Jacuzzi bath. Guests are offered a choice of a standard guest room or any number of larger suites, the executive suite or the Ritz-Carlton suite.

Overall, the staff offers a high level of personalized service with a friendly and courteous demeanor.

(+) Elegant old-world style and charm in an intimate Italian villa-style building
(-) Limited amenities for family travelers with small children

Guest Services: The Ritz-Carlton, Coconut Grove

Known for impeccable style and personalized service, The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, Miami makes a special effort to ensure its guests are comfortable. The experienced staff assisted me with Internet service in my room and was always pleasant when I called for any special requests for room service or concierge assistance. Housekeepers were prompt and courteous, and laundry service returned my items within two hours.

I had told the reservation agent it was my birthday, and upon arrival received a cheerful “Happy Birthday” greeting. The registration desk was quite busy upon my arrival, however, and it took a second call to the bellman to arrange for my luggage to be delivered to my room. One of the hotel’s management staff delivered my luggage with an apology for the delay. The registration desk agent was friendly and made me feel welcome, but it was a bit hectic, and the handling of my check-in and check-out services was less attentive than what I received throughout the rest of my stay.

(+) Attentive, personalized service
(-) Check-in registration can be a bit hectic during busy periods

Guest Rooms: The Ritz-Carlton, Coconut Grove

The hotel has 115 guest rooms, including suites, 26 executive suites and the Ritz-Carlton suite. The 900-square-foot suites have an additional 60-foot wraparound balcony with a lovely panoramic view, and come equipped with 1½ bathrooms, a king-size bed with goose down and non-allergenic foam pillows, 100 percent Frette linens, and rose petal turndown service. Luxurious marble bathrooms are equipped with a plush terry bathrobe, bath towels, and European toiletries.

For in-room business accommodations, there’s a generously sized desk with high-speed Internet, computer and fax hookups, and an in-room laptop compatible safe. Standard guest rooms are considerably smaller than the suites, but offer most of the same amenities.

The rooms are very comfortable and clean, and the large balcony lets in fresh air. The mahogany furniture with soft tropical fabrics in island prints of yellow and celadon green with red and salmon accent is complementary to the rest of the hotel’s décor. A particularly lovely antique upholstered bench at the foot of the bed was a nice touch, as were the sepia-toned paintings of Villa Vizcaya. Housekeeping comes twice a day to ensure a clean room at all times.

(+) Luxurious and well-appointed guest rooms with balconies offering fresh air and lovely views

Facilities & Activities: The Ritz-Carlton, Coconut Grove

The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Coconut Grove, Miami is a fine choice for a few hours of relaxation. The 6,000-square-foot spa has a wide range of services, including signature Tandem Treatments (exclusive to the spa), firming body masks, sea body polishes, and a myriad of pampering treatments for mind and body.

You can receive a full-body workout in the hotel’s well-equipped fitness center or sweat it out at the saunas and steam rooms. When it’s time to take a dip in a body of water, opt for the lap pool on the second floor overlooking Coconut Grove.

Honeymooners can enjoy romantic walks, stopping at one of the many sidewalk cafes in nearby Coconut Grove village or sail into the sunset on Biscayne Bay. Upon return to the hotel couples can enjoy a swim and relaxing massage services at the Boutique Spa, followed by a candlelit dinner for two in the romantic Biscaya restaurant. The “Ultimate Splendor Package” pampers guests with personal butler service, daily in-room champagne breakfast, dinner prepared by a personal chef, and a personal concierge service to assist you with all your travel and entertainment needs.

Cultural venues are just minutes away, including the Villa Vizcaya, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, and the Miami Performing Arts Center. Water-sport activities are abundant at any of the beaches at nearby Biscayne Bay. Within a 20-minute commute of the hotel, guests can experience some of the finest beaches on the Atlantic Ocean and the glamorous South Beach nightlife.

(+) Leisure time can be enjoyed both within the hotel and in the surrounding areas within walking distance or a 20-minute drive to many cultural and outdoor venues

Dining & Lounge: The Ritz-Carlton, Coconut Grove

Fine dining is offered at the hotel’s restaurant, Biscaya. The chef’s well-executed Mediterranean cuisine consistently garners rave reviews. The elegant, ambient dining room boasts lovely Biedermeier mahogany chairs with Italian fabrics and the windows are adorned with lush silk damask. The dining room serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as a Sunday brunch. The breakfast is one of Miami’s newest “power breakfast” spots. Servers were very pleasant during my meal, but attention to detail was sometimes missing. The bar service, however, was outstanding. The staff was attentive and knowledgeable in assisting with wine suggestions.

Room service was exemplary. My server was pleasant and went out of his way to assure my satisfaction. The service was close to perfect, with attention to detail and accommodating to my special non-menu item request. I was courteously addressed by my name and pick-up service came immediately after I called.

(+) Outstanding cuisine, great ambiance and excellent room service
(-) Breakfast service wasn’t as personable and attentive compared to other venues

Business Services: The Ritz-Carlton, Coconut Grove

The hotel offers in-room Internet services and a separate full-service business center with high-speed Internet access, secretarial services, and audiovisual support.

Those interested in hosting a corporate meeting, conference, or retreat will find ample space for any size gathering. The available space includes a 5,194-square-foot Grand Ballroom, four meeting rooms, a boardroom with seating for 18, a large pre-function room, and an outdoor tented terrace.

(+) Business travelers are well accommodated at this hotel, whether they choose to remain in their rooms or use the services of the business center
(+) Event spaces for business or social gatherings are excellent