Hotel at a Glance: Eden Roc Miami Beach Resort

Even next to a city like Miami and among other luxury hotels, the four-star Eden Roc Miami Beach Resort goes all out. In a towering display of Art Deco architecture, it stands in stark contrast to the expanse of beach and water below it, where guests flock to swim and sunbathe. But staying within the resort is tempting as well, with amenities that range from multiple restaurants and bars to impressive sunsets from private balconies in oceanfront suites.

• Guests drink in the luxury at the Art Deco Bar Nobu or at the poolside Aquatica Bar.
• Fresh food and fine dining go hand-in-hand at Splash by Malibu Farm, a farm-to-table restaurant, and Nobu Miami, which serves Japanese fare.
• Ultimate relaxation takes place at Spa Eden Roc, which features whirlpools, plunge pools, saunas, and hydro-experience showers.

Miami Beach, Florida: White-Sand Beaches, Glamorous Nightlife, and Cuban Cuisine

Miami Beach is a small barrier island situated between the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay, a shallow lagoon that separates the beaches from downtown Miami. People from all over the world come here to enjoy the white-sand beaches, shop the high-end boutiques, and party at the legendary see-and-be-seen nightclubs the city is known for. The red-hot center of this sexy, international social scene is South Beach, a 20-block stretch filled with upscale lounges, rooftop bars, and ultrahip hangouts behind velvet ropes. Lummus Park beach is packed by mid-morning, and the clubs on Ocean Drive and Washington Avenue—many of which stay open until 5 a.m.—vie for the limelight with VIP service, celebrity DJs, and dressed-to-the-nines crowds.

Beyond the fast-paced luxury of South Beach lies Miami Beach’s softer side. A leisurely stroll through the Art Deco District reveals hundreds of beautiful, candy-colored buildings, including Versace Mansion—a 1930 manor modeled after a palace in the Dominican Republic that belonged to Christopher Columbus’s family. The centerpiece of the city’s arts scene, the Bass Museum of Art displays works from Peter Paul Rubens and Sandro Botticelli, and modern-design objects and propaganda arts fill three stories at the Wolfsonian-FIU museum. There’s also a handful of vibrant ethnic enclaves to explore here, and Little Havana is among the most notable. The neighborhood is lined with family-owned restaurants and Caribbean-style marketplaces, making it a great place to discover some of the country’s most delicious Cuban food, from sugary guarapo juice to pastelitos, or Cuban pastries.

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