Miami Warm Up
Every winter in the Northeast, a deep chill sets in right after Christmas, and by January or early February I am in need of thawing out! Visiting Miami in the winter is a must, as after many trips and lots of research, it’s the only place in the US I’ve found with temps that can reach into the 80s, and that offers lush palm trees and gorgeous flowers.
I’ve been to Miami many, many times with kids, girlfriends, my husband and other couples. Over the years, I have seen an amazing revitalization of the South Beach area. When I first visited SoBe, I stayed down on oceanfront Collins Avenue close to the Lowes Hotel. Most recently I’ve moved my home base north on Collins, to try out some fabulous newer hotels.
One reasonably priced location that I’ve returned to many times is The Palms Hotel. It underwent a major renovation a few years back focusing on wellness and using environmentally friendly products both in the hotel and spa. The setting is gorgeous, and the pool and tiki bar are surrounded by palm trees and tropical plantings. Just the right thing after coming from a cold, brown winter up North. I highly recommend this hotel for a girls’ weekend!!
My most recent trip included a stay at one of my favorite hotel chains, the 1 Hotel South Beach. The 1 Hotel is a fabulous ocean-side destination with excellent, attentive, friendly service that makes you feel like you are part of the environment and close to nature. The vibe is a modern aesthetic, with reclaimed woods and stunning ocean views, and eco-friendly touches like filtered water on tap so that you can refill your water bottles. The room decor is light minimalism with fluffy white organic bedding with just the right amount of luxury yet super comfortable. The hotel is truly a dream! There are several pools and restaurants on the property, including an area hot spot, the rooftop pool and bar - one of my favorite spots for a healthy breakfast and/or lunch is the plant-based restaurant, Plnthouse, where you can get smoothies and bowls and exceptional coffee. And one of my favorite things to do while staying here is to take an early morning walk (sometimes a run) along The Miami Beach Boardwalk, a very friendly pedestrian path that parallels Collins Avenue and Ocean Avenue further south. And afterwards I love to grab breakfast at any one of the outside cafes on Ocean Ave, extending my time outside along the water.
As always, on top of my list of things to do in Miami (or any other city for that matter!), is a walking food tour. Last year it was of vibrant Little Havana on Calle Ocho (SW 8th Street), close to South Beach. This section of Miami was originally home to thousands of Cuban exiles, and as a result has a throwback feel of 1950s Cuba. Some highlights include: one of the best mojitos I ever had at the Ball and Chain bar (temporarily closed due to COVID), hand rolled custom cigars made for you on the spot, Cuban coffee, and a visit to a Cuban bakery. Beyond the tour, you can try out the little locally owned restaurants that serve chicken with black beans, Cuban sandwiches, fried sweet plantains and other fabulous Cuban specialties, and explore the many Latin American art galleries. Don't miss Domino Park, where the locals have played dominos throughout the day for over 40 years in a leaf covered corner park.
There are so many areas of Miami to discover and so many things to do – stay tuned for future posts coming soon!
