Welcome to Backpacker’s Boutique. Every Sunday, this spot will feature a new travel blogger. Some weeks it will be a really fun interview about packing, fashion, and fitness so you can snoop inside their bags & lives a little bit and other weeks it’ll be a detailed luxury guide to a city the featured blogger/expat knows very well. E-mail me if you’d like to be featured.
A Luxury Guide to Miami
Tell us a little about yourself and tell us why you’re an expert on luxury travel in Miami.
My name is Stella and I`m Blogger from germany. My blog A Heart for Fashion is about my personal style & travels. 2013/2014 I spend one year in Florida and discovered a lot of great places there. Miami is still my favorite. I’ve been there a lot and this city own kinda my heart.
What makes Miami a perfect destination for travelers seeking a glamorous trip?
Miami has so many things to offer. It`s a big city next to a beautiful ocean with great beaches everywhere. Art in general has a big influence there, so is luxury. You can find awesome hotels, high class restaurants and the best clubs. No wonder that so many celebrities come to spend their days and night there.
What 5 star hotel is the best in Miami?
Situated on oceanfront Collins Avenue, Fontainebleau is one of the most historically and architecturally significant hotels on Miami Beach. Club Liv is part of the hotel, which is a great club where already Jay-Z and other VIp´s passed by. Click here for rates and availability.
What about boutique hotels, of them all, which would you send your friends or family to stay at?
I stayed two times at the Colony hotel and loved it! The hotel becomes recognized around the world as a symbol of south beach. Located at the celebrated block of Ocean Drive and Seventh Street, the hotel is a part of the Art-Deco District since 1935. The blue light of the sign you can see on almost every Ocean Drive picture. The rooms are small, but super comfy and clean with nice furniture. The beach is just across the street. I recommend this hotel to everyone who`s going to visit Miami. Click here for rates and availability.
Are there any fun activities for the adventurous traveler in Miami?
You can book a yacht tour with different themes at theadvantaged.com they`re highly recommended. You can do tours to different beaches, sunset dining and a lot more. Also the Bahamas are close to Miami. With Norwegian cruises or carnival you can do a 3 day trip to the island or even longer for not much money.
Where are the best hang outs during the day in Miami?
South beach is nice when you like to be in the center of the crowed. North beach is more quite but both are big and beautiful. At Lincoln road you have all the stores from Victorias Secret, Guess or the more high class brands. The Nexxt Café is one of the oldest restaurants there. They provide free wifi and delicious food. For Lunch they have special prices. A bit more upper-class are Sundays at the W hotel. At the pool area is a chill out party during the day called Shoreclub. You can rent sunbeds, eat brunch and enjoy some fancy drinks, while listen to the nice sounds of the DJ.
If you have a big date night, what are the most delicious restaurants in Miami and what are their best dishes?
The Baoli is a beautiful restaurant with great food and a nice atmosphere. The dimmed lights are perfect for a date night. I ate sushi and mini burgers with fries there, which taste delicious. But I bet everything on the menu is great. It`s also located at south beach:
BÂOLI MIAMI, 1906 Collins Ave,, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Let’s talk desserts in Miami- what place makes the best?
I was thinking about a fancy restaurant but actually the best dessert for me is still the ice cream from cold stone. One of their signature creations “peanutbuttercup perfection” is really pure perfection. Eat it always when I visit Miami.
Get the perfection right here: 1631 Alton Road, Miami Beach, FL 33139, (305) 673-6963, Alton Rd. and Lincoln Rd.
Tell us all the hot shopping spots; who’s carrying the trendy local designers in Miami?
“Aloha Miami” does handcrafted ethno/bohemian accessories. I fall in love with them through their instagram @aloha-miami
What are a couple of the best salons and spas in Miami?
At Blow in-bar you can choose between different hairstyle like high society, pillow talk… They get your hair the perfect style for the night (or day, of course)
Location: 3301 NE 1st Ave, Suite 102, Miami, Florida 33137
The Bliss is located in the W hotel and known for their great facials, which makes your skin glow.
Time for a great sunset view… where would you go?
The Sunset Lounge is perfect for watching the sunset. You have a view on the bay from there, so you can see the how the sun goes down over the skyline of Miami downtown.
Sunset Lounge, Lounge · West Avenue, 1100 West Ave (at the Mondrian), Miami Beach, FL 33139, USA
Now that the sun’s gone down, fill us on the best places to go for some evening drinks or a great pre-gaming spot.
Juviva a a rooftop bar at Linsoln Road. Use the private elevator entrance on Lenox Avenue to get up there. With an ocean view and some cocktails, you can start your night there. I`s good located to go to the clubs after, cause most of them are also located in south beach.
Juviva, Restaurant und Cocktailbar, 1111 Lincoln Rd (at Lenox Ave), Miami Beach, FL 33139, USA
If you end the night at a fancy club, which one do you head towards?
That’s too hard to choose. We`re talking about Miami so there are a bunch of fancy clubs where you can end the night. I like set, wall, mansion… but there are a lot more. Make sure you check the program before. But every night something is going on.
If you like it a bit different, check out Bodega Taqueria y Tequila. Yeah it’s a small restaurant where you get served Mexican streetfood. But if you make it through the blue door, and the room with high urinals, there`s something else waiting for you.
Stella Sowa is a german blogger and owner of http://www.aheartforfashion.com where she writes mostly about her personal style & travels, but also about off topics. Before she started her studies in public relations, she worked in mediadesign. So an interest for pictures and editing was always there. Her blog is like an open diary and she likes to takes you on her journey… wherever it goes. Connect with her on Facebook or Instagram.
I love Juvia, such a beautiful spot!
This is a really great guide for people who have never been to Miami but would like to experience it and all the glitz and glamour it has to offer!
That’s a great post on Miami. We stayed at the Ritz Carlton on South Beach and it was amazing. Will try some of your recos the next time we head to Miami! Thanks
@Rachel Jones
This is a truly extraordinary aide for individuals who have never been to Miami yet might want to experience it and all the marvelousness and charm it brings to the table
regards
pooja
I love that there is so much to do in Miami. Thank you for sharing a few new places I didn’t know about – great pics!