The new Loews Miami hotel brings convivial service to a walkable neighborhood
By Kylie Wang
Having just opened in November 2022, the Loews Coral Gables Hotel is the crown jewel of The Plaza Coral Gables, a seven-acre “urban oasis” in Miami’s toniest suburb, complete with Class A office space, high-end retail, 229 luxury townhomes and condominiums, a rooftop fine dining restaurant, myriad public spaces… and now, a leading hotel.
The Plaza and nearby Miracle Mile– the main drag of the walkable Gables downtown area replete with boutique shops and fine dining establishments – are what gives the Loews that most important, forever sought-after piece of realty lore: location. But hospitality comes from within, and at the Loews, it’s everywhere.
Oftentimes, high-end luxury hotel chains employ people who are trained to maintain an unruffled façade of friendliness at all times. Sometimes that can come across as overbearing or artificial, even unctuous. At the Loews, the genuine warmth of each staff member, from the valet to the bartender by the pool, to the executive chef, is a welcome divergence from that norm.
Then there are the amenities themselves, each of which are executed with simple elegance. Take the lobby bar. Shimmering and golden, with crystalline bottles lining the shelves and doors that open onto The Plaza courtyard, it’s all smooth sophistication. The drink list is wonderfully simple, without pretension. The bartenders can make virtually anything, but here the classics are celebrated: vodka martinis, gimlets, cosmopolitans, Manhattans… right from “Madmen” days.
The food at the adjacent Americana Kitchen is similarly traditional, with dishes like burgers, pastas, and pizzas on the menu, but elevated to “New American” status by Chef Ricardo Jarquin’s innovative culinary approach. Jarquin oversees the entire food and beverage program for the hotel and is known for his unique approach to otherwise conventional dishes – like truffle pizza or plantain empanadas. If you manage to make it before the end of Miami Spice on October 1, we recommend the seared Florida grouper on the dinner menu, which comes with a green foam extracted from tomatoes and a side salad made from precision-sliced squash ribbons.
The Phineas poolside bar (named after a famous Gables Architect) is, in contrast, almost entirely Latin-themed. Tacos, quesadillas, and guacamole are the “classics” here and a cabana (starting at $250 for a day) is worth it for the service alone. Each rental comes with a plate of chips and salsa, a fruit platter – and your own personal attendant/ bartender.
Since the hotel is among the newest in Miami, it follows that its amenities and policies are also contemporary. The property is pet-friendly and caters to those traveling alone or with families. Children under 18 stay free, ‘Pack and Plays’ and baby bath amenity kits come without charge, and a $25 daily destination fee includes Wi-Fi, a bike rental, and a $10 Uber credit. Also included is a photoshoot with a complimentary digital image – influencers rejoice!
The property’s 30,000-square-feet of function space was created to cater to corporate clients. The premier meeting area includes 16,000-square-feet of indoor space, providing the largest ballroom in the city, and features high-tech amenities and packages for international travelers. Groups that book over 10 rooms are given special room and meeting space discounts as well as complimentary upgrades, discounts, and improved Wi-Fi. The hotel has an online portal for event planning and a “Business Travel” section about available amenities – including ergonomic work desks, grab & go’s from Miami Joe Coffee Co., and the hotel’s spa and 24-hour fitness center. Need anything else? Just text the front desk via the Chat Your Service feature.
Though a trip to Miami strictly for business leads more travelers to take up suites in Downtown Miami or Brickell, the Loews in Coral Gables offers a distinctly different experience. The city of Coral Gables is low-rise, walkable, and covered with an enviable tree canopy. There are theaters, cinemas, parks, restaurants, bars, museums, and even a brewery all within a few blocks, making the Loews a perfect place for families and business travelers alike. And, while Miami is 20 minutes away, that is balanced by extreme proximity to Miami International Airport, just 10 minutes away.
