Miami: Where To Eat, Stay And Play - International Traveller

Cue “Miami" by Will Smith! This colourful Florida city buzzes with its own uniquely vibrant energy and moves to the beat of its own intoxicating rhythm.

The perfect, sunny weather and playful Art Deco architecture set the scene. The diverse melting pot of cultures (and food), the energetic nightlife and the music bring that infectious Miami energy.

Whether you’re exploring the historic streets of Little Havana, indulging in haute cuisine in South Beach, or dancing the night away in Wynwood’s art district, Miami offers endless opportunities for adventure and discovery.

Where to stay in Miami

There are so many wonderful hotels in Miami that it’s hard to narrow it down. Look into Esmé for a charming, boutique experience in South Beach and The Setai for a luxury, five-star stay.

Pool shot at The Setai Miami Beach — Stay in five-star luxury. (Image: The Setai Miami Beach)

The Four Seasons Miami brings an ultra-luxe experience to Downtown Miami.

the entrance of Esmé Miami Beach Hotel — Settle into Esmé for a charming boutique stay. (Image: Esmé Miami Beach Hotel)

It’s the Four Seasons; you already know it’s going to be great, but this location really does shine.

The pool at Four Seasons Miami — The Four Seasons’ location really shines. (Image: Karolina Valeikaite)

Loews Miami Beach Hotel

Say hello to sparkling oceanfront views and the family-friendly amenities that you would expect from the venerable Loews brand. The stellar location of Loews Miami Beach Hotel directly places you in the walkable South Beach neighbourhood and steps away from the beach.

Expect to spend plenty of time soaking up the sun here, because in addition to the prime beach access, the pool is a standout feature. It’s kid-friendly – a welcome departure from the many DJ-heavy pool vibes in the area. The SOAK pool cabanas are next level, tricked out with a plush indoor seating area, full bathroom and shower, and personalized butler service.

Pool at Loews Miami Beach Hotel — The SOAK pool cabanas are next level.

Mayfair House Hotel & Garden

Stepping into Mayfair House Hotel & Garden feels like stumbling into a secret, enchanted garden. Everywhere you look, there are charming, thoughtful details: from the unique, organic architecture of the old building to the intricate wood carvings on the suite doors.

Mayfair House garden interior — Mayfair House Hotel & Garden feels like stumbling into a secret, enchanted garden. (Image: Will Pryce)

No two rooms are the same, but they are all decked in jewel-toned hues and incredibly spacious (I’m talking room-for-two-king-beds spacious).

Room in Mayfair House — No two rooms are the same. (Image: Will Pryce)

This boutique hotel has been around since 1985, but it was reimagined and reopened in September 2022. Lush, garden-like greenery flows throughout the hotel, an ode to Miami’s iconic flora. The location perfectly places guests to walk out the door and explore sophisticated, peaceful Coconut Grove – my personal favourite neighbourhood in Miami.

an al fresco dining at Mayfair House and Garden Hotel — Dine al fresco on the lush garden-like setting. (Image: Will Pryce)

Where to eat in Miami

Area 31

In a city known for its rooftop bars and pools, Area 31 is a sky-high restaurant you don’t want to miss. Located on the 16th floor of Miami’s Kimpton EPIC Hotel, it’s the perfect spot for a ‘first night in Miami’ dinner, where you can toast to the adventures ahead while enjoying panoramic views of the Biscayne Bay and Miami River.

Seafood is the name of the game here. Don’t miss the tender scallops sitting atop a creamy sweet corn puree.

a plate of food with a glass of wine on the table, Area 31 restaurant, Miami — Area 31 is the perfect spot for dinner.

Versailles

This Cuban restaurant is something of a Miami mainstay. It’s well-trodden (there will be tourists), but well-loved. And as some say – if you don’t eat at Versailles, did you even go to Miami?

Cuban culture is a significant influence in modern Miami life, so this is a great place to get a taste. Their extensive offerings range from stuffed green plantains to their famous Cuban sandwich to the braised oxtail. While you’re in Little Havana, hop on this tour to dive deeper into Cuban culture with an intro to salsa dancing, cigar rolling, and the largest collection of Cuban art in the US.

a Cuban sandwich at Versailles, Miami — Don’t pass up the chance to try Miami’s famous Cuban sandwich at Versailles.

El Bagel

El Bagel is a locally owned, independent bagel shop with great hand-rolled, slow-fermented bagels made with only five simple ingredients. Located in Coconut Grove and Little River.

Joe’s Stone Crab

With over a century of history, Joe’s was around before Miami Beach even was a city. From humble crab shack beginnings in 1913 to the upscale seafood restaurant it is today, Joe’s history provides a rare sense of family and old-school class. The stone crabs and key lime pie are two of their can’t-miss menu items.

What to do in Miami

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

This sea salt-worn, crumbling mansion and its French-inspired gardens immediately captured my imagination. The estate was built in 1916 as a vacation home for Chicago-based businessman James Deering.

From the display of yacht chinaware to the waterside tearoom to the elaborate guest rooms, every turn had me imagining the fabulous recreational activities of this affluent mogul and his visitors.

an aerial view of Vizcaya Museum And Gardens — The Vizcaya Museum and Gardens used to be a private vacation home. (Image: Robin Hill)

Today, the mansion has transformed into an impressive art museum and botanical garden of sorts, paying homage to Miami’s fledgling days.

an external shot of the Vizcaya Museum And Gardens in Miami — Visit Vizcaya Museum And Gardens in Miami. (Image: Robin Hill)

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Groove to Miami’s Music

Miami is a city that grooves to its own beat, from the inescapable rooftop, poolside DJ to tiny record shops. Enjoy excellent cocktails, expertly curated vinyl records and chill vibes at Dante’s HiFi in Wynwood.

Miami Sound Bar is another notable vinyl bar in Downtown. Strawberry Moon at the top of the Goodtime Hotel is a great place to find the quintessential Miami pool party.

To kick back with Miami locals until the wee hours of the night, check out divey Better Days.

Beaches

You can’t miss the beach if you’re visiting sunny Miami. South Beach is dotted with colourful, Art Deco lifeguard huts, DJ sets and hotties on vacation.

an Art Deco lifeguard hut on South Beach — You’ll find Art Deco lifeguard huts on South Beach. (Image: Clark Van Der Beken)

There’s a great beach path that makes exploring easy – ideally with roller skates or a rented Citibike to cover more ground.

biking along the beach path dotted with palm trees in Miami — Ride your bike along the path. (Image: Juan Rojas)

Head north to Hollywood Beach for a more laid-back vibe and a family-friendly boardwalk.

an aerial view of the palm tree beach landscape in Miami — Miami is famous for its towering palm trees. (Image: Lance Asper)

Art Deco architecture

Miami is a wonderland of Art Deco architecture. As you walk around town, you can’t miss the playful building designs, but taking a walking tour will allow you to dive deeper into the city’s history and hidden architectural gems.

an Art Deco-styled building in Miami — Miami is a wonderland of Art Deco architecture. (Image: Clark Van Der Beken)

Miami Design Preservation League leads a great tour, as well as Art Deco Tours (they have one that involves signature cocktails!)

a close-up shot of the top of an Art Deco-inspired building in Miami — Go on an Art Deco tour. (Image: Jason Briscoe)

Add on time in Palm Beach or Disney World

The Brightline train makes it easy to add local adventures to your Miami itinerary. This high-speed line provides a pretty luxe experience with their sleek, modern lounges, and clean, punctual trains.

It’s about a two-hour ride to Palm Beach and a three-and-a-half-hour ride to Orlando at the end of the line, the home of Walt Disney World.

the Cinderella Castle in Walt Disney World, Miami — Live out your fairytale fantasies at Walt Disney World in Orlando. (Image: Matt Stroshane)

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

Miami: Your guide on where to eat, stay and play