Discover the very best of Miami’s South Beach area with Luxury Lifestyle Magazine’s luxury guide of where to stay, eat, drink and see.
Stay: Loews Miami Beach Hotel
South Beach, also nicknamed SoBe, is a neighborhood in the city of Miami Beach, Florida. It’s known for its white-sand beaches and an ultra-glamorous scene, and this is where Loews comes in. The newly redesigned Loews Miami Beach Hotel has undergone an impressive $50 million renovation reconfirming it as the ultimate luxury hotel on Miami’s South Beach. This beautiful and unrivaled beachfront resort really is a treat from the moment you are welcomed right through to when you checkout. The attention to detail is exemplary and the customer service is second to none, well outshining the rest of the 5-star hotels in the area.
Consisting of 790 guestrooms, of which 69 are super-plush suites, the decor merges the classic and the contemporary, for a comfortable and luxurious stay. The hotel is in the very heart of South Beach literally just a few steps from the ocean and by the pool, you’ll find the VIP SOAK Cabanas and Daybeds. There’s also a gym, a full-service spa and activities such as yoga and barre classes for when you’re not taking in the rays.
When it comes to the food this is a massive plus as there are 6 restaurants to choose from and they all deliver. A real highlight is Preston’s Market, which will start your day off right. It serves up the best breakfast buffet, featuring an omelet bar, local pastries, and a la carte items that you just can’t resist. There’s also the Bar Collins which offers Latin-inspired entrees for lunch and dinner. Traditional fares and seafood options are available poolside at Nautilus where you can enjoy a whole range of cocktails and beverages (the frose is a favourite there!) The Lure Fishbar is one of their signatures and is award-winning, making is a must-visit.
For a glamorous and luxurious stay in Miami, Loews is the place to love.
Eat
Upland Miami
You’ve not visited Miami if you’ve not eaten at Upland. Fact. Not only is their lighting on point and have the most helpful staff, they serve up a mean whiskey cocktail to go with their California-inspired culinary philosophy. Their Roasted Half Chicken is the star dish. “One of my favourites and a true Upland staple is our Roasted Half Chicken. It’s a great shareable dish that combines the perfect balance of sweet and smokey flavors against the acidity of the heirloom tomato conserva,” says Justin Smillie, Executive Chef at Upland.
Note: try their seed crusted carrots, they’re mind-blowing!
Juvia Miami Beach
With brilliant views, this is an eatery that’ll suit all occasions from date night to fun evening with the girls. As darkness falls expect super sexy lighting, a DJ to entertain along with a trinity of French, Japanese and Peruvian cooking styles. Oh and cocktails (the Duckin’ Bag is their house cocktail, complete with a mini rubber ducky). Here you should try the Hamachi Espuma “My favorite dish at Juvia is the Hamachi Espuma because the flavors of the yuzu and the espuma with the fresh fish is a light perfect harmony,” says Tim Sandoz, Director of Operations at Juvia Miami Beach.
Lure Fishbar
This seafood restaurant is truly exemplarily, in all ways possible. When it comes to the décor and the ambiance, it channels a luxury dining experience that you’d expect on a super cruise liner and this perfectly sets the tone for the menu. The man in charge of the ship, Dennis, will expertly guide you through the menu – his knowledge of the ingredients and the dishes really is commendable and rare to find. Hits included the Seared Diver Scallops, Whole Daurade and the Crispy Rice Cakes (a best-seller), but really you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.
Watr at the Rooftop
You’ve guessed it, this is a rooftop restaurant with beach views. Divine. You’ll find this little gem at the top if 1 Hotel, with it’s laid back and oh-so-cool vibe. For the chef, the go-dish is the Corvina, “The Corvina showcases how great flavors that can be captured by using fresh and simple ingredients. The preparation for this dish is extremely minimal, which allows each fresh ingredient to truly shine.” Fernando Cruz, Executive Chef at 1 Hotel South Beach.
Leynia
Delano is famous for its brunch, cue the wide array of food from fresh fish to succulent meat and not forgetting the sweat treats, all topped off with champagne, naturally. This Sunday brunch is so much more than a meal, expect an interactive experience at Executive Chef Jose Icardi’s signature restaurant, Leynia. The standout plate in the form of the El Tucumano Benedict. “One of my favourite dishes from Leynia is El Tucumano Benedict which is a short rib empanada with chimichuri and hollandaise sauce. This dish combines two of my favourite things empanadas and breakfast. I have so many childhood memories with my family back in Argentina that this dish brings me back to. Breakfast was an important time with the family, we would all wake up and help my dad and grandma with the wrapping of the empanadas as we joked and drank Mate,” says Jose Icardi, Executive Chef at Leynia at Delano South Beach.
Mr Chow
Hands down, one of the best restaurant you can ever dine at (yes, a big statement) Mr Chow South Beach always wows and delights. The food is simply the best Chinese food that you’ll eat, there’s a mix of old authentic Beijing and original recipes that are taste sensations! The Manager, Brian Murati and his team provide exceptional customer service with an attention to detail that is next level. “Mr Chow noodles are freshly pulled by hand on a daily basis, following the tradition and culture of a dish which has a history of more than a thousand years. Mr Chow Noodles are not only famous for their taste and texture but also for the effort and skill that goes into making them. This dish is a favourite of mine because it gives guests a chance to experience first-hand a technique that is usually only seen in the kitchen,” says Yiu Ming Tsui, Chef at Mr Chow Miami.
Los Fuegos By Francis Mallmann
Right on the beach is this restaurant brought to you by Argentine grillmaster Francis Mallmann at Faena. There’s a mix of steak and fresh fish on offer and it’s all born from his passion for the ancient art of South American live-fire cooking. As such, there’s an open-fire kitchen and Mallmann makes the most of local ingredients, complete with a gaucho’s touch to transform traditional rustic recipes into a chic, contemporary plate. The Octopus ‘A La Plancha’, Cast Iron Tiger Prawns and Mallmann’s Beef Tenderloin ‘Milanesa’ are real treats that should be experienced.
Beauty Destinations
Drybar South Beach
Fancy a blowdry, why not you’re on holiday? Well, there’s only one place to head and that’s the Drybar South Beach for the most glamorous of hairdos. Simply pick a style from their blowdry menu and voila, you’re ready for a night on the Miami tiles.
The Shore Club
For some rest and relaxation treat yourself to the ultimate massage and this can be found at the Shore Club Spa. It’s in the form of the Wild & Zesty massage, their most popular and signature massage. Lie back and relax and enjoy the resort’s exclusive rooftop spa with panoramic ocean views.
