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While I continue to sort through hundreds of photos taken last week in Miami and Nassau, lets take a look back at San Simeon and the cloisters.
Located on the second floor, this grouping of 4 guest bedrooms have hallways on either side which were originally left open to the elements. This way, when the windows were open on each side of the room, an ocean cross breeze would blow through. To help preserve the furnishings, the hallways have been enclosed with glass. One of the hallways seen above
The views, as throughout the house, are spectacular; of the ocean to one side and the mountains on the other.
The rooms have similar heavy 'antiqued' wood Spanish ceilings as throughout the estate, but these rooms have a pleasing intimacy to them.
They're cozily furnished with armchairs and desks as well as the requisite beds; don't forget the Renaissance art too, of course!
I love this desk with all of the little drawers, but if I were a guest, I'd be afriad to unpack into it; You know you'd leave SOMETHING behind! Note the clerical vestment above the 2 twin beds (old fashioned, no? So Ricky and Lucy!)
Each room had a private bath which was, and still is, quite the luxury. Not the fanciest guest rooms on the estate but also not too shabby! I imagine on the hottest of days that breeze made them quite popular.As with all of my San Simeon posts, written permission was kindly granted to post my interior photos of the estate on this blog only. Please respect that and do not copy. Thanks!
Label:
history,
houses,
Interiors,
San Simeon
Coral Gables was a planned community developed by George Merrick in the 1920s, spawned out of the City Beautiful movement. The public buildings in Merrick's scheme were all done in a magnificent Beaux Arts style which incorporated a lot of Floridian motifs.
Merrick hired architect Phineas Paist, who was involved with the local estate Vizcaya, to complete his own fantasy town. Below is a photograph of a lost painting of Paist, allegedly painted by Sargent, who was a friend of his.
The Colonnade, completed in November of 1926, was originally designed as Merrick's sales center, and as such, was the centerpiece of the shopping area. It certainly stands out!
Since the area experienced a real estate bust shortly after it was built, the building has undergone a series of purposes: a movie studio, pilot training facility, bank and even a parachute factory!
The building is now a part of the 
The exterior doors house a number of restaurants with the shaded loggias providing outdoor seating.
As with most good architecture, you know where you are, despite a classical design. The pink stucco and turquoise window frames with beachside motifs couldn't be anywhere but Florida!
The interior foyer, as I said, now operates as a ballroom for the hotel; imagine having your wedding here! 
It reminded me vaguely of Rome's Pantheon, don't you think?
The Oculus is even painted with clouds to resemble the open one at the Pantheon. Here it is more practically enclosed.
Now, notice those pretty corinthian columns -what is that in the center?
The capitals have birds; Pelicans and Parrots!
I instantly fell in love with this room -those birds!
The niches at the ground level (empty for some reason?) continue the seaside motif with shells. Ignore those hideous 1980's marble floors. I'm not sure what the original floors were, tile or perhaps a more appropriate terrazzo (marble chips in cement)?
At the rear of this atrium begins the hotel with this 2 story entry hallway. I think it melds in pretty well with the original building. This area was originally an alley between buildings I think, based on original photos I found online.
After a maddening day driving around Coral Gables looking for Merrick's buildings (harder than I thought!) and an unexpected and stressful phonecall, I needed a drink. I grabbed a delightful lunch at Le Boudoir in the Colonnade - one of the best Salad Nicoise I've had in a long time, I would highly recommend this cafe!
My favorite part of the trip, other than the weather, was visiting the incredible 
Imagine a gorgeous, fantastical palace set amidst stunning gardens with views of Miami Bay and you have Vizcaya. I can't wait to share more of the mansion with you.
The interiors appear to be original which is rare in a high end resort. I'm not sure which would be a better location for a wedding: Vizcaya or the Biltmore! 
And I can't forget the fabulous inaugural cruise of 
The line prides itself on incredible food and service, including the inestimable Jacques Pepin who we met, ate dinner in his restaurant (in part prepared by him) and received a signed cookbook. We docked in Nassau for a day but the best part was relaxing on our private deck with a view of the town. 
Weather, food, friends and gorgeous locations; Who can ask for more from a vacation?
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