Is Coral Gables a good place to stay in Miami?

Coral Gables is a good base if you want a calm, elegant part of Miami with good restaurants and an easy run to the airport. Miracle Mile and Giralda Plaza are at its heart, the Biltmore and the Venetian Pool are a short drive away, and a free trolley links the centre to Douglas Road Metrorail station. It suits families, couples, business travellers and anyone who prefers quiet nights to beach parties.

The area is green and grand, with banyan trees arching over the streets, Spanish-style houses and old coral-rock gateways. Giralda Plaza is a pedestrian street of restaurants with tables outside, Miracle Mile has shops and cafés, and the Venetian Pool, carved out of an old coral-rock quarry, is one of the most beautiful public pools anywhere. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is a short drive south.

The downside is that Coral Gables is a long way from the beach. You'll need a car or rideshare for Miami Beach, Wynwood and most of the city's nightlife, and public transport beyond the trolley is limited. Evenings are relaxed, and some visitors find it too quiet for a Miami trip.

What makes Coral Gables special is its sense of place. You can swim in the Venetian Pool, have a drink on the terrace of the Biltmore and dine on Giralda Plaza under the trees, then come back to a stylish hotel in a quiet street, close to the airport for an easy departure.