Ok, so I’m not well versed in writing travel guides…and these will be far from exhaustive!
That said, I thought I’d offer my thoughts on where to stay, what to do, and what to see in several cities.
First up: Miami!
1. Where to stay.
I stayed at The Standard for my most recent trip to Miami. A good friend of mine loved it there and sang its praises, so I booked.
The positives: a gorgeous pool, world class spa services (facial: $180 including tip; spa pedicure: $60), healthy restaurant selections, and various classes including yoga & pilates going on all day. This is a great place to go if you want to relax and have a holistic versus hedonistic Miami experience. It’s close enough to the action, yet far enough away to feel like a peaceful retreat.
The negatives: the rooms are on the small side and pretty no frill. That said, my room had an outdoor area equipped with its own tub, ready for personalized baths (think mud or milk dips). All in all, the environs, personable staff, and pool made up for any room deficiencies.
Next time, I might check out The Delano, the W, or the Loewe’s hotels. They’re right in the mix on Collins Avenue on Miami Beach, and will probably be a bit more of a scene. But, I must say, rooms are not cheap!! Average price for rooms start at around $550 per night. Another option might be AirBNB. I spent a few days at The Standard and then moved to a condo with my friends. We had a luxury 2 floor condo for the same price I paid for 2 days to stay by myself at the Standard…and we split the bill! So if you really want to save, consider renting an apartment. If you want a pool scene or to keep it cute, please reference the hotels above!
2. Where to Eat:
I enjoyed a yummy dinner at Prime 112 (112 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139), one of the city’s best steakhouses. A few things to order: The Truffle Mac & Cheese, Pan Seared Scallops, Sea Bass, and Lobster!
This place is pricey, so save this for a special occasion! That said, we ate WELL, and had leftovers for a couple days.
3. What to Do:
The obvious answer is to hit the beach, but you can find loads to get into! My friends and I shopped on Lincoln Road, sunned by the pool, and hit the club. For night life, I had a good time at LIV (4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33140). I heard Sundays were off the chain.
If you want something fun, crunk, and lively (think frozen mixed drinks, video screens, and knocking bass) a pop by any of the outdoor bars on Ocean Drive is a must. The Clevelander (1020 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139) is pretty fun.
The crowd is a bit young, and you’ll be shielding your eyes from many fake butts, boobs, and desperate twerk sessions. But if you’re just looking to dance it up, this place will do the trick!
That pretty much sums it up!
I go to Miami to relax and soak up the sun, and did just that on my last trip.
If you guys have anything else to add (boutiques you love, where you like to stay), I’d love to read about ’em in the comments;)
I have a feeling I’ll be making Miami a regular thing in the months and years to come.
xoxo
