Few cities offer as much fun in a weekend as Miami. The beach, the clubs, the architecture; all combine with the sunshine to keep tourists coming back for more, so book your flights to Miami and you’re in for a good time.
FRIDAY
When you arrive on Friday, check in to the Townhouse on 20th Street. Rooms are neat and spacious, the décor minimalist, but the real reason to pick this hotel is its location – just 50 yards from the beach. Other high points include an incredible roof terrace, the perfect place for a first evening celebratory drink. Once you’ve settled in and admired the views (in Miami, this means checked out all the people posing along the beachfront, rather than the coastline), head out for dinner to Sushi Samba Dromo. This place combines good food with low prices and a great line in celebrity sightings – Paris Hilton is a frequent visitor. Choose from a menu of Japanese, Peruvian and Brazilian food.
After dinner, move on to The Deuce to top up your sakes with whatever’s going. This dive bar has been open longer than Miami itself, and is a favorite with the widest selection of people you’ll ever see in one room. If you’re looking for authentic Miami Vice, this is the place to come (it’s even featured in the movie). It’s open ‘til 5am, but doing the Dougie on a sofa isn’t everyone’s idea of a good time, so head out to party at Mynt Lounge. Another one for celebrity spotting, you’ll need to pull the movie star moves out to get in to Mynt, as its door police are some of the strictest in Miami, but that’s half of the fun of going. The other half is the clientele. Rich men and beautiful girls share the huge cream sofas with dozens of household names. Just play it cool, there’s limited tolerance for autograph hunting, so stick to the dance floor where the DJs drop some classic house and trance.
SATURDAY
Once you’ve surfaced on Saturday morning, go for breakfast at Jerry’s Famous Deli. Open 24 hours, it’s decked out like a proper diner, so grab a booth and order from their huge range of classics. Now that you’re feeling a little more alive, hit the shops at Cocowalk in Coconut Grove, just south of Miami. Unusual for Miami, this mall is outside, so it’s a good place to chill when you’re feeling a little delicate. It has all the high street classics, but if you’re looking for a little more glam head for Lincoln Road and Collins Avenue, where the designer brands hang out. Stop for lunch at Joe’s Stone Crab, a Miami institution, and get the signature dish of stone crab in a secret recipe mustard sauce.
If a siesta is in order, head back to the hotel and crash out in your room or get loungers for the beach and spend some time soaking up the sun. Then it’s cocktails at the Spire Bar at The Hotel, which has some of the best views of the entire city. Get up there before evening, and relax in a sofa with one of their signature electronic martinis as you watch the sun set over Miami. Once hunger’s kicking in, make for China Grill on Washington Avenue and feast yourselves on huge plates of delicious Italian, French, Chinese and American food that are made for sharing. Order the amazing lobster pancakes, though, and you won’t be sharing with anyone. Stay for a bottle of wine chased with a couple of cocktails, and then move on to the Fontainebleau. Once where James Bond played poker in Goldfinger, it’s now a great club called LIV. One of the best sound and lighting systems in Miami, as well as the best house and hip-hop, it’s always busy so get there early and dance all night.
SUNDAY
Wake up on Sunday morning, and after a quick stroll along the beach and breakfast on the swings in the hotel lobby it’s time to head home. Miami parties hard, so if you’re feeling like you need another week off to recuperate, you’ve done it right.
