MIAMI: The Ultimate Guide

Overview

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For me, a perfect day in Miami would start by having a cappucino at News Cafe in South Beach. After this, I would go for a swim in The Fountainbleu Hotel's pool(the most amazing pool you've ever seen in your life.) Then, I would go shopping at Bal Harbour. Eat lunch at Norman's in Coral Gables. Go to the beach. (The best place to park is by the Day's Inn on 21st. Then, go shopping on Lincoln Road. Eat Dinner at Maiko's, the best Sushi place in the universe. Stop by The Delano for drinks and then crawl into bed at The Mandarin Hotel on Brickell Key. Quick Tips: Decide what you're looking for in your visit. Do you want to spend a lot of time at the beach? Eating out? Shopping? Are ...Read More

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International Travellers Youth Hostel

Hotel

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Have you ever had the urge to do something really wild and crazy...like sell all of your stuff and hop a plane to Venice? Or buy a pet monkey? Or eat a whole pint of Haagen Daaz ice cream---in one sitting? I firmly believe that everyone has their own special dream. The International Traveller's Hostel, located at 9th and Washington in Miami Beach, is my Haagen Daaz, monkey, and plane to Venice all rolled into one. With the help of The International Traveller's Hostel in Miami Beach, I was able to make my dream of living on South Beach (for a few nights) a reality. Touted as a great place for students and international travellers, I found The International Traveller's Hostel to be charming, clean, and ...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on August 18, 2000

International Travellers Youth Hostel
236 9th Street
Miami, Florida 33139

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Eden Roc Hotel

Hotel

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Highlights (i.e. best things to do, memorable moments, etc.): When you visit The Eden Roc, you absolutely must go to their Spa. With such services as 'Mud on The Beach' (a unique experience to say the least--a massage therapist slathers mud on you as you enjoy the Florida sunshine) and 'Moonlight Massage' (another service offered on the beach), The Eden Roc Spa is one of my top Spa picks. Plus, the atmosphere is incredibly warm and friendly. It lacks an air of pretentiousness that you find in many other luxury Spas. And finally, they offer Reiki, a system of energy healing. That alone puts any Spa on the top of my list. Quick tips/suggestions: Try La Stone Treatment. It's incredi...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on August 18, 2000

Eden Roc Hotel
4525 Collins Avenue
Miami, Florida 33140
(305) 531-0000

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Biga Bakery, Mama Mendoza's, Norman's, Taco Tico & Perricone's

Restaurant | "Unusual Eateries"

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A trip to Miami is not complete without a visit to these places: 1. Biga Bakery - located at Coral Way and SW 27th Avenue - famous for its incredible breads and deserts. 2. Mama Mendoza's - located at 11th & Alton in Miami Beach - Mexican food the way it was meant to be. 3. Norman's - 21 Almeria Avenue in Coral Gables - the best restaurant in Miami--and well worth the hefty check! 4. Taco Tico - off of LeJeune on US 1 - They have the best burritos you'll ever taste! 5. And finally, check out Perricone's at 15 SE 10th Street (Downtown Miami)...their gnochi can't be beat! Quick tips/suggestions: Get to know the locals. Go to Little Havana. Check out the burgeoning scene Downt...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on August 18, 2000

Biga Bakery, Mama Mendoza's, Norman's, Taco Tico & Perricone's
Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Downtown Miami
Miami, Florida

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Delano Hotel

Attraction | "The Delano"

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Hanging out at The Delano is an experience you'll never forget. From the moment you walk through the door, you'll feel like you've stepped into a very unusual place. Order a drink and step outside. You'll love it.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on August 17, 2000

Delano Hotel
1685 Collins Avenue
Miami, Florida 33139
(305) 672-2000

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B.E.D. (Beverage Entertainment Dining)

Attraction

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Highlights (i.e. best things to do, memorable moments, etc.): B.E.D.(Beverage Entertainment Dining), South Beach's new trend-setting restaurant, is the answer to the bar-hopping blues. The avant-garde venue is complete with king-sized beds in place of tables and chairs, waiters and waitresses donning pajama-like outfits, and a menu fit for a king. Guests are served their meals on small trays which are placed on their laps. Owner Oliver Hoyos developed the idea based upon The Supper Club in Amsterdam, a restaurant/bar/live entertainment hot spot where patrons dine on enormous beds while viewing extravagant shows. Hoyos feels that B.E.D. is indescribable: 'Nobody knows what it really is until t...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on August 18, 2000

B.E.D. (Beverage Entertainment Dining)
929 Washington Ave
Miami, Florida 33139
(305) 532 9070

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The Delano Hotel's Agua Spa

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Set in the heart of Miami Beach, Agua spa demonstrates that you can find tranquility in the center of a bustling metropolis. The Delano, which bills itself, ‘the next generation of urban resorts’, has developed its brand of Agua Spas (also in London at The Sanderson Hotel and next year in Santa Barbara at The Mira Mar Hotel) as a sanctuary for the mind and body. Simplicity reigns supreme at Agua. “Philippe Starck’s design, which includes all white curtains and circular patterns, has a calming effect,” says Spa Director Jenna Ward. The spa, which includes a Bath House, rooftop Solarium, Sauna, and Meditation Room, has a very Moroccan/Greek feel to it. Agua adopts a simple, alm...Read More

Set in the heart of Miami Beach, Agua spa demonstrates that you can find tranquility in the center of a bustling metropolis. The Delano, which bills itself, ‘the next generation of urban resorts’, has developed its brand of Agua Spas (also in London at The Sanderson Hotel and next year in Santa Barbara at The Mira Mar Hotel) as a sanctuary for the mind and body.

Simplicity reigns supreme at Agua. “Philippe Starck’s design, which includes all white curtains and circular patterns, has a calming effect,” says Spa Director Jenna Ward. The spa, which includes a Bath House, rooftop Solarium, Sauna, and Meditation Room, has a very Moroccan/Greek feel to it.

Agua adopts a simple, almost Zen-like approach (in a very Latin/Mediterranean atmosphere.) This spiritual theme is evident in everything from the simple décor to the spa’s menu of services. “There is no hard core “spa routine” feeling, instead there is a flowing relaxing feeling created by the environment and décor,” says Ward.

Unlike The Delano’s Lobby, a grand area with towering columns, enormous billowing curtains, and oversized furniture, Agua aims to give its guests a very intimate experience. Ward says, “The furniture and size of the spa create an intimacy which feels very personal—as if you are in someone’s elegant home.”

A day at Agua is a treat. After flowing through the grand lobby, up a red paneled elevator to the penthouse, you waft over a seamlessly white matte floor to be greeted by an attendant, dressed in all white, at a white lacquered wood and marble reception area. After you’ve checked in, you are given a white waffle robe and slippers to change into.

Then, you are instructed to have a seat in one of three areas: the lounge, an area with big overstuffed chaises and lots of glossy magazines, steam room, a simply designed room that has comfortable wooden sunning lounges instead of your typical blue tile banks, or rooftop Solarium, a Mediterranean blue and white sunning area where you are free to go au naturel.

Upon visiting Agua spa, be prepared. There are many services to choose from. Agua offers many “package deals.” A few of these include: the Caspian($245.00),a Massage, Basic Biologique facial, Body Scrub, and Specialty Bath; Lake Como($160.00), a Mini-facial, Mini-massage, Body Scrub, and Soothing Bath; the Nile($345.00), Basic Biologique facial, Massage, Full Body Mud Mask, Body Scrub, and Specialty Bath.

If you’re still stumped, take a hint from Madonna, Donatella Versace, and Donna Karan. They swear by the Milk and Honey Massage. Agua’s “signature” treatment is Ayurvedic-based and sure to please. Although you probably won’t see them during your stay, Hollywood’s A-listers flock here. “We have a long list of celebrities. We try to create privacy for them,” says Ward.

In keeping with their spiritual philosophy, Agua has a complete “energy program.” Ward says, “The premise is to help your body function to cleanse and purify from the inside out.” Energy services include: Reiki, Multi-dimensional massage, Traditional Thai Bodywork, Reflexology, and even a holistic facial(that includes a 30 minute lymphatic drainage massage.)

It’s all in keeping with the new trends toward spirituality in spas. “More people are starting to take more care of themselves. Work on their stress levels,” says Ward. Read Less

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Spa of Eden: A Heavenly Experience

Story/Tip

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The atmosphere at Spa of Eden is very 'neighborhoody.' People feel very at home and comfortable there. It's right on the ocean & so you can get a massage on the beach or one of their 'mud on the beach' treatments (a definite 'must try'!) Ellen Latham, Spa of Eden's Director says, 'The ocean has a wonderful gift it can give you if you let it.' Being directly on the ocean, the spa is infused with a really energetic energy. It's motivating. Their most popular treatment is the Le Stone Massage, a treatment in which the massage therapist puts hot and cold stones on your body. Latham says,'What I've found is Le Stone really does tap into your meridians. It really does put you ...Read More

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Massage By Design: Custom-made massages

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Nora Farinas, Owner of Massage By Design, is a star magnet. In her five years on Lincoln Road (Miami's premiere stretch of restaurants and shops) she massaged the likes of Jack Nicholson, William Baldwin, Antonio Banderas, and Madonna. 'For years, I've worked on movie sets and made house calls,' says Farinas. These days, in her new digs at 100 Collins Avenue (Miami's other hot street), she works on Ricky Martin and Latin crooner Carlos Ponce. What draws Hollywood's Heavy Hitters to her door? Perhaps it is her holistic approach. To begin with, she hired Astrologist/Psychic, Elaine Ferretti to give readings. 'It's really soulful, insightful work,' says Farinas. Ferretti, a longtime frien...Read More

Nora Farinas, Owner of Massage By Design, is a star magnet. In her five years on Lincoln Road (Miami's premiere stretch of restaurants and shops) she massaged the likes of Jack Nicholson, William Baldwin, Antonio Banderas, and Madonna. 'For years, I've worked on movie sets and made house calls,' says Farinas. These days, in her new digs at 100 Collins Avenue (Miami's other hot street), she works on Ricky Martin and Latin crooner Carlos Ponce.

What draws Hollywood's Heavy Hitters to her door? Perhaps it is her holistic approach. To begin with, she hired Astrologist/Psychic, Elaine Ferretti to give readings. 'It's really soulful, insightful work,' says Farinas. Ferretti, a longtime friend of Farinas', uses charts, tarot cards, and numerology to provide clients with healing insights. 'It's the sign of the times that we're offering such services. People really look for these types of services,' Farinas says.

The whole concept of Massage By Design is just that: a massage that's designed to suit your own specific needs. When you walk in the door, you are given a small questionaire asking you to check off your symptoms(headache, fatigue, depression, etc.) Then, when you turn it in, they peel off the top copy and underneath it reveals what type of massage would be best suited for your needs.

Massage By Design is designed to relax and soothe its clients from the moment they walk in the door. With river rocks and soothing stones in the lobby area, clients are immediately put at ease.

Massages run the gamut from the usual (Shiatsu, Swedish) to the more unusual.'We are the only spa in Miami that offers the four handed Thai Massage,' says Farinas. Husband and wife duo, Ryan Spielman and Marisa Gallardo, work together to make massage magic. As she works on the upper part of your body, he works on the lower part. 'Their energy is so similar that you can't tell the difference between them,' says Farinas.

If you're looking for a meaningful, mystical experience, this is the spa for you. Farinas says, 'We try to bring the elements of the earth into as much as we do as possible.' Read Less

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Off The Beaten Path Shopping Finds

Story/Tip

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Highlights (i.e. best things to do, memorable moments, etc.): Miami is filled with shopping treasures...you just have to know where to look. Start out your expedition with an 'inspiration spree' and you may end up in some of Miami's quirkier spots. Start your trip out with a visit to Bal Harbour's exclusive shopping center. Located at 9700 Collins Avenue, Bal Harbour is sure to get your creative juices flowing. Step into Cartier, Enrico, Sergio Rossi, and don't miss Oxygene! After you've gotten your fill of fashion tricks and trends, get out of Bal Harbour! It is extremely expensive and best for inspiration only!!! Head south to vintage heaven...located next to Crunch on Washington & 11th S...Read More

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Where The Celebs Go When They're In Town

Story/Tip

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You're in Miami for the weekend. Besides going to the hottest restaurants and clubs, you have decided that you want to mix and mingle with a few A-Listers. Hollywood Celebrities. Here are my top suggestions for 'Star Sightings': 1. Stay at The Delano. Celebrities LOVE this Hotel. If you can't stay here, go for drinks at night. Hang out in the gorgeous garden and dip your feet in the majestic pool. Who loves The Delano? Madonna, Donatella Versace, Calvin Klein,George Clooney,Harrison Ford, Niki Taylor, Christie Brinkley...even Brad Pitt. 2. Go to Their Restaurants. Cameron Diaz owns Bambu(on Lincoln Road), Gloria Estefan owns Lario's(on Ocean Drive), Ingrid Cesares owns Joia(and Madonna and Rupert Ever...Read More

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Miami Journals

MIAMI: The Ultimate Guide