Destination Known | Miami Beach

We headed to Miami for Memorial Day Weekend. Not realizing it was Urban Beach Week, we were surprised and delighted with some of our best people watching to date. While not recommended to return during this week, it was a perfect trip (con bebe) thanks only to G-d for sending world’s sweetest Care.com sitter our way.

Stay

(moderate splurge) South Beach | The Betsy South Beach : We stayed here initially for no other reason than it looked beautiful and is, in my research, the only hotel on Miami Beach with a two room suite separated by a door. We then found out that it’s my parents favorite hotel and for good reason - the rooms, the staff, the rooftop pool, the owner’s golden retrievers, the beachfront chair and towel service…We love The Betsy and until naps/ sleep training is over (in a decade), we won’t stay anywhere else.

(splurge) South/ Mid-Beach | 1 Hotel South Beach : so chic so green it’s no wonder it’s the #1 hotel

(splurge) Mid-Beach | Faena Hotel : weird, artsy, hautest of luxury hotels that I can only imagine is even more the epicenter of all things fabulous during Basel

Eat | Dinner

1 Hotel | Watr @ 1 Rooftop or Habitat : Same menu at either place but we went to the rooftop as we prefer al fresco and it was bumpin’ (Habitat was dead) that particular night. Best dinner of the trip for sure.

SLS Hotel | The Bazzar by José Andrés : Latin American tapas - let your waiter help you through the menu and you won’t be disappointed. Loved.

Soho Beach House | Cecconi’s : Italian set al fresco in an English style garden at the Soho Beach House. Delish.

The Four Seasons Surfside | Le Sireneuse : The “must” people like to tell you to go to so you know they’ve been there. It’s the only outpost outside of the og in Positano so you know it’s dope.

(Buena Vista) | Mandolin : Aegean bistro that’s worth crossing the bridge for — twice according to my parents who had to go back a second time in 3 days.

Eat | Casual

Planta South Beach : go for the vegan sushi (that tastes like real sushi) stay for the gorgeous interior and 10 other items you want to order and then exclaim “vegan- seriously??”

La Sandwicherie : super casual South Beach juice, smoothie, sandwich window bar that was our morning staple for starting the day with DELICIOUS, fresh food and advice (from the French waiter)

***La Cerveceria de Barrio : ate here 3x and wish it was 5x - the outdoor patio/ people watching, the fun/ relaxed vibe, delish seafood and mezcal margs have not been beat to date

Drink

Faena Hotel | The Living Room : so cool - the crowd, the interior, the drinks. go.

1 Hotel South Beach | Watr @ 1 Rooftop : 20 stories up overlooking the beach, eat at the bar or just drink but either way hop over.

Do

Versace Mansion : I remember crying in the first grade when he died. I’d go to galleria store with my Saudi best friend’s family and the medusa became a bit of an inexplicable obsession. Anyway, go for a drink or meal, I absolutely think the design is worth a stroll through the now boutique hotel

Faena Hotel | The Theatre : cabaret show that we didn’t get to but that looks like it might be worth a whirl