Oh Miami – you nearly convinced me to stay. This was my second trip to Miami and I loved revisiting old favorites from my trip last summer and discovering new spots. I flew into Miami the night before my Carnival Cruise to the Eastern Caribbean and stayed two nights after.
SEE ALSO: Top Things To Do In Miami Before & After Your Carnival Cruise
Check out where I stayed in Miami Beach and downtown Miami, including all the spots I dined at!
WHERE I STAYED
Table of Contents
THE CONFIDANTE
I flew into Miami the night before the Carnival Cruise so I could enjoy my favorite part of Miami, South Beach. The Confidante is located in North Beach and is one of the cutest hotels I’ve stayed at. The property was originally opened in the 1940s so the hotel features past architecture paired with mid-century modern design. There’s two beautiful pools with plenty of lounge chairs and private cabanas to relax & have breakfast (I did!), and convenient beach access. I loved that The Confidante had six beach cruisers that you could rent. I woke up early the next morning for a morning bike ride down the oceanfront Miami Beach Boardwalk to the Art Deco.
4041 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33140, theconfidantemiamibeach.hyatt.com
EAST
I knew I wanted to explore downtown Miami after the cruise so I extended my vacation to stay at Miami’s newest hotel, EAST. Located in the heart of downtown Miami in the Brickell City Centre, EAST is downtown Miami’s newest and hottest hotel. The hotel is beautifully designed in modern and comfortable feel with a touch of feng shu. The rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows, walk-in rain shower, and incredible views of the Miami skyline and Biscayne Bay.
Quinto La Huella inside EAST was absolutely delicious (more below). Sugar, the 40th floor rooftop bar and garden, is rated North America’s best rooftop bar.
The Brickell City Centre, also built by Swire Group, will have over 100 stores that will open by November 2016. This is downtown Miami’s first shopping center and will also house a movie theatre.
788 Brickell Plaza, Miami, FL 33131, east-miami.com
WHERE I ATE
QUINTO LA HUELLA
Quinto La Huella is the Uruguayan restaurant located inside of EAST. The restaurant is helmed by the team behind Uruguay’s esteemed Parador La Huella and focuses on wood fired cuisine. Loved the pulpo a la plancha, arroz negro, langostinos al horno, and grilled snapper! Continental breakfast and Sunday brunch are both served at Quinto La Huella, which I highly recommend. The continental breakfast was incredible (second photo)!
788 Brickell Plaza, Miami, FL 33131, quintolahuella.com
MARKET AT EDITION
Escaped to Spain at MARKET, Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s global cafe inspired by Spain’s food markets. Fresh stone crab claws, freshly shucked oysters, black truffle & fontina pizza, roasted grouper with glazed fennel, and burrata with Meyer lemon preserves.
2901 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33140, editionhotels.com
CANTINA LA VEINTE
Mexican brunch at Cantina La Viente – pulpo a las brasas, ceviche de atún, dobladitas de jaiba suave, short rib braseada, guava mint spritzer, and frozen coconut margarita.
495 Brickell Ave, Miami, FL 33131, cantinala20.com
SERENDIPTY CREAMERY
Small batch ice cream shop serving up ice cream and sorbets made with organic ingredients when possible. Confession: I did come here just to take a picture with the flamingo wallpaper. #Worthit
421 NW 26th St, Miami, FL 33127, serendipitycreamery.com
SALTY DONUT
I was looking for Instagram-worthy donuts in Miami and Salty Donut was on a list. Unfortunately the wait was almost a hour and the shop had sold out of most of their donuts by the time I got to the register. All that was left were pink donuts and pumpkin (pictured above). I wish I would have tried the donuts when I got them instead of waiting to the next day because they weren’t very good.
50 NW 24th St #103, Miami, FL 33127, saltydonut.com
SUSHI GARAGE
Last meal in Miami was at Sushi Garage. The sashimi plate, fried tempura, dumpling soup, uni sushi, and lychee mule were just what I need to end this perfect trip! Sushi Garage is a new concept in Miami Beach from the same team behind Juvia.
1784 West Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139, sushigarage.com
THINGS TO DO
BIKING IN ART DECO
As mentioned, The Confidante offers complimentary beach cruisers to hotel guests so I took a morning bike ride down the oceanfront Miami Beach Boardwalk to the Art Deco!
Ocean Dr between 15th and 6th St
WYNWOOD WALLS
On the return trip, I spent most of my time at the hotel and eating at the restaurants so the only stop I made was to Wynwood Walls.
2520 NW 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33127
SEE ALSO: The Wynwood Walls, Second Saturday & Where To Shop
RELATED: Miami Travel Guide
