“If I only have one chance, I want to make a good impression.”
That’s what waiter Diego Madrid told me during my first proper meal in Miami at a Cuban restaurant called La Mulata, just a couple blocks from the famed Art Deco district of Ocean Drive and its parade of neon lights.
The term “Miami hospitality” wasn’t in my vocabulary, but consider me a vocal advocate today. It made an impression, just as Diego had hoped.
Miami is one of the kindest, most accommodating cities, especially at a time when it feels like we’re paying more for less service where we stay, dine, and drink.
During my winter escape, I talked to every bartender and waiter I encountered to find out where they go after their shifts.
Those recommendations led me to Swizzle Rum Bar & Drinkery, a tucked-away speakeasy with some of the best house music and a vibe that’s sexy but not fancy. (You’ll be OK in jeans and a T-shirt, even if the decor suggests otherwise.)
If you’re in need of a vacation, imagine how the service-industry folks feel. So take the time to get to know them and offer them kindness. Their recommendations will always steer you in the right direction.
In Miami, there’s an elevated, hospitable kindness I’ve never experienced before.
It Starts Where You Stay
Location in Miami is everything — and South Beach puts you at the center of it all. Plus, the hotels on the South Beach strip are working hard to make sure you don’t have to leave the compound to have a true Miami experience.
At Loews Miami Beach Hotel, we stayed in an ocean-view king suite overlooking the beach and the hotel’s massive pool and lush cabanas. The beach is steps away, along with the beach walk where you can strut along the ocean while soaking up the architecture.
Whether you go for brunch or dinner, don’t skip Bistro Collins, which anchors the Loews lobby. The avocado toast, fluffy pancakes, and eggs Benedict that we feasted on while seated on the wraparound patio are must-haves. And our server couldn’t have been friendlier.
“When you love what you do, you’re happy doing it,” said Shura Almanzar, who moved to Miami eight years ago from Nicaragua.
During a two-night stay at Loews, everyone treated us like family, down to the private concierge who helped us book a table at a Monday afternoon drag show on Ocean Drive. (I’ve seen The Birdcage with Robin Williams and Nathan Lane too many times to not indulge.)
“The world looks a lot better with glitter, doesn’t it?” declared German drag queen CC Glitzer on the patio of Palace South Beach. A drag show on a Monday afternoon in Miami. Does it get any more South Beach than that?
Where Art and Miami Collide
Our next stay was at The Shelborne, an Art Deco hotel that recently underwent a major renovation. It’s sleek, sexy, and less family-focused than Loews. Marble floors, immaculate details, and a relaxing stay define the experience. Works by local artists cover every inch of the compound, from custom couches to textile wall hangings.
And it’s not just “let’s decorate our lobby with local art and call it a day.” The hotel offers something deeper, like poet Neysa King composing custom poems on a typewriter inside Little Torch, the property’s dream-like cocktail bar where drinks are made tableside.
I had one of the best meals of my life at Pauline, The Shelborne’s signature restaurant. The rock shrimp fideos with sour orange and aleppo pepper still lives rent free in my head. The grilled black bass with green papaya and the beef loin “con pan” with oyster mushrooms also stood out.
Speaking of art, one of my favorite excursions was visiting the small-butmighty Pérez Art Museum, which sits on the water and offers magnificent views of the massive cruise ships sorting themselves out before setting sail. The collection is stellar and locally focused; check ahead on the museum’s website for exhibitions occurring during your Miami getaway.
Do I Have to Leave?
“I’ve been working at this hotel for 17 years, and I’m living the dream — I’m a memory maker,” said a hotel employee — again, one of the friendliest people I’ve ever met.
The sentiment stuck with me. Because while you can do your own research, remember that the people behind the bar, behind the desk, and working the door are most connected to the city. They’ll help you find the real Miami, a place you’ll never want to leave.
Reasons to Visit Miami This Summer and Fall
June 11-July 18: For the first time, three countries — the U.S., Canada, and Mexico — will host the FIFA World Cup. Seven games will be played at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.
July 28: Indie rock band Lord Huron, founded by Michigan native Ben Schneider, performs at The Fillmore Miami Beach.
Sept. 19-20: Bruno Mars brings The Romantic Tour to Hard Rock Stadium
Oct. 3-11: The 42nd Miami Carnival features nine days of events leading up to the Parade of Bands and Concerts on Sunday, Oct. 11, at the Miami-Dade County Fairgrounds.
Nov. 12-15: The 20th World Polo League’s Miami Beach Polo World Cup takes place on the sands of Miami Beach, featuring top players, parties, and celebrity sightings.
Escape to Key West
Why not rent a car and enjoy Key West? It’s a breezy, beautiful drive about three hours away from Miami. There’s nothing like enjoying a cold drink at the conveniently located bar at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, which boasts some of Key West’s best beach frontage. We stayed at Hyatt Centric Key West Resort & Spa in Old Town, a waterfront property whose in-house restaurant Four Flamingos was opened by celebrity chef Richard Blais. Although you’ll be tempted to hunker down at the resort, you should rent a bike at the hotel and explore Key West the way it’s meant to be seen — slowly, at your leisure. Back at the resort, make sure you visit nearby Duval Street, Key West’s main drag, and Mallory Square with its incredible sunsets.
This story originally appeared in the June 2026 issue of Hour Detroit magazine. To read more, pick up a copy of Hour Detroit at a local retail outlet. Click here to get our digital edition.
|
|
|
|
|
|
