Miami is more than balmy evenings, golden beaches, and tanned bodies. Although weather is a big pull factor for this city – perched at the mouth of the Bahamas, it benefits from a tropical climate – Miami has become a destination for more than simply sun and sand.
Thanks to some iconic film and television series, this once-decaying art deco city has enjoyed a cultural rebirth. It was a resurrection, however, underpinned by the impact that the cocaine trade which gave Miami its fast living reputation.
From the sharply-dressed cops in Miami Vice, to the deadly swagger of Scarface – not to mention its most recent role in Narcos – Miami as a backdrop, and as a character of its own making, continues to impress with its love of the high life and downright gangster attitude. So, relive both the roaring 1920s and the hedonistic 1980s with a trip to Miami, because it sure won’t disappoint.
If you’ve come to Miami to live it large, booking a hotel where Tony Montana himself would be proud to stay is vital. And, to send a message that you have arrived and mean business, look no further than W South Beach.
Despite its proximity to Miami’s golden sands, this is a hotel that doesn’t compromise on urban class and cool. With artwork from Damien Hirst on rotation, a rooftop basketball court, and a colossal pool area for all-day clubbing, the W is bringing 1980s Miami chic to the millennials.
Photo by diningout.com
As a gentleman in Miami, you’ll want fresh, light and delicious dishes for your evening meal. You’re not in Hicksville Florida, neither have you come up for ‘spring break’, so there will be no squatting on the sidewalk clutching a burger.
For the ultimate dining experience, check out Asian fusion restaurant Jaya located at the luxurious Setai Hotel on Miami Beach. If you like Sushi Samba, you’ll love this place. With top-notch American service and a sexily-dimmed atmosphere, your date will unequivocally be impressed – and even more so if you take her for a drink by the hotel’s magnificent pool.
Photo by Google
To avoid the aforementioned spring-breakers, it’s best to eat, drink and be merry at the various luxury hotels Miami has to offer rather than the ten-a-penny dive bars. Miami’s classiest and chicest hotels aren’t just for sleeping – they also boast some of the finest bars in the city.
For post-dinner drinks, check out the MO Bar and Lounge at the Mandarin Oriental. Gaze at the cityscape whilst you throw yourself at the mercy of their expertly-trained and creative bartenders.
Photo by miamiallaround.com
If you’re going to embrace the whole kitsch Miami club scene, there is only one place to go. LIV, the Mayfair joint of Miami, is the nightlife definition of ‘go big or go home’. As only the best establishments in Miami are, LIV forms part of a lavish hotel, namely the Fontainebleu in South Beach. A favourite of celebrities, come financially prepared.
Photo by a57.foxnews.com
No city break is complete without a little indulgence in the tourist hotspots. Start your sightseeing day with some gentlemanly class and visit the villa of late fashion designer Gianni Versace.
Now operating as a boutique hotel, the ornate Ocean Drive residence is a must-see and a spot of lunch in its restaurant or session in its spa won’t go amiss, either. For fans of Miami’s cultural heritage, a boat tour is the best way to see the spots featured in both Scarface and Miami Vice.
Part of Miami’s appeal is how close it is to some of the best beaches in the world. If you want to venture further afield, the Florida Keys is known for pristine beaches and fishing is only a few hours away by road. Or hop on a one-hour flight from Miami airport and end up on the Abaco islands that form the quieter and more idyllic part of the Bahamas.
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