Miami, Florida

WHERE TO STAY

Miami's hotel scene is as varied as the city itself, but a handful of properties stand head and shoulders above the rest.

If you're after something altogether more theatrical, The Faena Hotel is a world unto itself: bold, brilliantly designed and with interiors and pool areas so striking you'll find yourself lingering long after you've nowhere else to be.

For understated luxury with genuine South Beach soul, The Shelborne is a compelling choice — ocean views, attentive service and the sand practically at your doorstep. A Miami Beach icon with an Art Deco heritage to match, it's the kind of place that feels effortlessly familiar from the moment you arrive, without ever trying too hard.

WHAT TO EAT

Miami's dining scene has never been more exciting, with a wave of new openings sitting comfortably alongside long-established classics.

Carbone Miami Beach is the place to be seen — sceney, buzzing and unapologetically glamorous. For something more storied, Joe's Stone Crab remains a Miami institution, best enjoyed in season when it's operating at its brilliant, no-reservations best. New steakhouse Daniels is turning heads with seriously impressive cuts, while AVA Mediterranean in Coconut Grove brings a distinct Dubai energy to an already vibrant neighbourhood.

Elsewhere, LPM on Brickell Key offers polished, convivial dining in elegant surrounds, and Mandolin provides a more relaxed Mediterranean alternative in the Design District. For something a little more under-the-radar, Claudie in Brickell is a quietly brilliant find. Members willing to make the effort will find ZZ's — tucked into the Design District — among the most glamorous rooms in the city.

For brunch, the Surf Club at the Four Seasons is in a category of its own: old-world glamour, contemporary cuisine and the kind of unhurried atmosphere that makes a long Sunday lunch feel like an occasion.

POOL & BEACH

The Faena pool is the stuff of Instagram legend — available to guests and members only, and worth the access fee alone. The Four Seasons Surfside offers a more private, elegantly curated experience, while The Standard Hotel delivers something altogether more laid-back: bohemian, relaxed and with a classic European sensibility that sets it apart.

HOW TO SPEND YOUR MORNINGS

Start as Miami intends — slowly. Take a stroll along the shore, claim a sun lounger at one of the city's enviable pools, or ease into the day with a dip at The Standard Hotel, a wonderfully serene escape with bohemian touches that feel entirely unforced.

For those with wellness on the agenda, the options are excellent. Tracy Anderson's new studio is generating serious buzz, while Fuze House hot pilates and a session at Reserve Padel offer an energising alternative to the beach.

WHAT TO DO

Make time for a morning walk down Ocean Drive, a boulevard just behind South Beach, it’s the Miami you see in the movies brought to life; think palm-tree lined walkways, candy-coloured Art Deco architecture and neon signage for miles.

One of the homes of Art Basel, Miami is known for its love of the art world and creative industries. A trip to the Design District is a must, self-described as a ‘creative neighbourhood’ it’s home to excellent galleries, including the ICA Miami and the de la Cruz Collection of contemporary art. If you’re more into retail therapy, it’s got just-about every luxury store imaginable, plus restaurants and cafés when you’re ready to refuel. An alternative option is Wynwood Walls, an outdoor museum of murals from some of the very best street artists around.

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