Love at the Loews

A Romantic and Relaxing Staycation in the Heart of the Gables

Sometimes the hustle and bustle of daily life doesn’t leave much room for romance. There’s no better way to add allure to your relationship than by leaving the hassles behind for a relaxing weekend at one of the city’s luxury lodgings.

Now a year old, the Loews Coral Gables Hotel has set a standard of excellence, from the attentive staff (on-call 24 hours, only a text message away) to the deluxe 242 guest rooms with sparkling city views. Its location in The Plaza Coral Gables provides easy access to the culinary and cultural offerings of downtown. But the style and comfort of the Loews tempted us, for the most part, to stay within the property.

We checked in Friday evening, with just enough time to freshen up before dinner. As we walked downstairs, we were met with a lively Americana Kitchen, the hotel’s signature restaurant that offers (you guessed it) New American cuisine. Dining outside underneath the glowing lights of The Plaza, we ordered appetizers and champagne to kick off the weekend.

We rejoiced in our love for empanadas as we bit into the popular “Ropa Vieja’’ pockets. Stepping out of our comfort zone, we ordered mussels cooked in aji amarillo and beer broth — a true aphrodisiac. For entrees, we shared the paella for two, with a rich assortment of mushrooms in crispy wild rice. As meat lovers, we also had to sample the grilled beef tenderloin, served with a delicious Bordelaise sauce. (Take note: for Valentine’s Day, the kitchen will offer a $90 three-course dinner with optional wine pairings.)

After our lavish meal, we walked off the calories with a stroll through the grounds, which are laden with museum-quality public art — from the recently erected “Waiting” by KAWS to the landmark bronze sculpture, “Mean Average,” by Tony Cragg.

For breakfast the next day, we enjoyed room service, digging into a creamy avocado tartine and “Americana” egg breakfast. Next, we grabbed our slippers and headed to the hotel’s spa for a serene couples massage. Although small, the spa’s self-care services are extensive, from hairstyling and makeup to facials and massages.

After a warm foot bath, our masseuses began a Privai Heart Balanced Massage. For the next 50 minutes, they worked through our tension points with a full body massage. We felt like we’d reached Nirvana! The rest of the afternoon was spent in a cabana ordering cocktails and Latin-inspired bites from the hotel’s poolside bar and grill. Watching the sun set made the perfect pregame for our night out on the town, hitting the newly opened Pisco y Nazca and a few of our favorite bars.

The next morning, after unwillingly getting out of bed, we descended to the Americana for a late brunch, filled with live music, bubbly mimosas, and our choice of hearty plates. With to-go bags in one hand and each other’s palms in the other, we left the Loews, feeling refreshed and smitten.