Miami, Florida
Miami
is a major international business center with numerous multinational
and Fortune 500 companies. While tourism and international
trade are the economy’s strongest segments, real estate,
construction and biotechnology are rapidly growing. Many U.S.
corporations—including UPS, FedEX and Hewlett-Packard—run
their South American operations from Miami. Downtown, about
35 miles in size, is Miami’s international banking and
finance center, but for accomodations closer to the convention
center and the center of nightlife, choose to stay in Miami
Beach.
Facts
to Know Before You Go |
Transportation:
| Taxi
cabs and shuttles: Cabs are located just
outside each terminal’s baggage claim area.
The flat-rate fare from the airport to Miami Beach
is $24. Any of several share-ride shuttles can save
you money if you reserve ahead; SuperShuttle also
offers walk-up service just outside baggage claim.
Wait time for a shuttle is about 15 to 20 minutes.
Expect to pay about $14 for a ride to Downtown Miami
and $16 to reach Miami Beach. |
| Rental
Car: Renting a car can be a great way to
get around South Florida. Most national car rental
chains have airport counters, but all pick-up/drop-off
locations are outside the airport facility, three
to five minutes away. Before you leave the rental
car facility, make sure that you get a map with
its location; the signage is not great around the
airport, and the facilities can be tricky to find.
|
| Public
Transportion: Public transportation is
not recommended for business travelers. Although
it only costs $1.50, the Metrobus trip from the
airport to Downtown takes about one hour. |
Information:
Internet:
| AT&T
Public Wireless offers wi-fi Internet access in
the D and H concourses and plans to add more hotspots
in the future. In Concourse G, look for Wireless
service by Airpath at gate G2. Yet another provider,
Boingo Wireless, offers service at the Bacardi Bar
in Concourse E. For a full-service Internet workstation,
try the Hotel Lobby Bar on the 8th floor of the
Miami International Airport Hotel. |
|
 Delano
1685 Collins Ave. (16th St.)
305-672-2000 Book
a room
Named after President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, this
1947 landmark was completely renovated in 1995 at a cost
of $28 million. Inspired by the islands of Greece, Phillipe
Starck transformed the complex into a magical retreat
with a 250-foot-long lobby corridor and floor-to-ceiling
windows with flowing sheer drapes. This boutique hotel
continues to be one of the premier South Beach destinations
for celebrities as does its popular restaurant, the Blue
Door. Its 238 elegant lofts, one-bedroom suites and
pool bungalows are romantic with their virginal white
furnishings, but more importantly, they’re practical.
All rooms include both wired and wireless high-speed Internet
access. Guests will feel like royalty as they take advantage
of in-room massages, personal trainers and maids who discreetly
unpack their bags.
 The
Astor
956 Washington Ave. (Tenth St.)
305-531-8081 Book
a room
 Although
refurbished in 2002, this 1932 hotel retains many of its
original Art Deco elements like terrazzo floors and aluminum
fixtures. Although the hotel considers the pricey one-bedroom
suites its signature rooms, it is possible to rent a small,
quiet room in the back of the hotel for $145 during the
off- season. En suite marble bathrooms are standard, and
all rooms come with Web TV (many with flat screens) and
high-speed Internet access.
Hyatt
Regency Miami
400 SE Second Ave. (Fourth St.)
305-358-1234 Book
a room
 Located
downtown on the Miami River and enviably convenient to
the Riverwalk and Convention Center, this majestic hotel
offers the kind of modern and practical accommodations
travelers have come to count on from Hyatt. Many rooms
have private balconies overlooking Biscayne Bay and the
Miami skyline and all have wireless high-speed Internet
access and fax machines. Among the property's several
restaurants and lounges is the tropical Riverwalk Café,
serving gourmet and casual cuisine. Japengo’s nightclub
keeps the Latin rhythm beating ’til morning.
 Mayfair
Hotel & Spa
3000 Florida Ave. (S. Bayshore Dr.)
Coconut Grove, FL 33133
305-441-0000 Book
a room
 In
the affluent enclave of Coconut Grove, this avant-garde
hotel is a whimsical tribute to the architectural visions
of Antonio Gaudi. Its location is right in the center
of an array of holiday pleasures, including Cocowalk's
outdoor shopping and dining. Each of the 179 accommodations
is uniquely decorated, but all have vibrant color schemes
and luxurious fabrics. The bedrooms are equipped with
mini bars, complimentary high-speed Internet access and
VCRs. Suites include all of these amenities along with
private terraces and either Roman tubs or Japanese-style
hot tubs.
The
Ritz-Carlton, Coconut Grove
3300 SW 27th Ave (Tigertail Ave.)
Coconut Grove, FL 33133
305-644-4680 Book
a room
 This magnificent grand hotel knows how to go the extra
mile. For a special visit, customized packages incorporate
local tours in a Mercedes-Benz, gourmet picnic baskets,
“shopping invigoration” spa sessions and romantic
breakfasts in bed. Each of the 115 guest rooms and suites
has a private balcony and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking
manicured gardens, Biscayne Bay or the Miami skyline.
With high-speed Internet access in every room and an on-site
business center, this hotel is as convenient as it is
luxurious. Bizcaya
Grill, the hotel’s restaurant, features upscale
steaks and Continental cuisine.
|
Azul
Mandarin Oriental Miami
500 Brickell Key Dr. (Brickell Ave.)
305-913-8254 |
15/20
$$$$$ |
 The
Mandarin
Oriental, Miami hotel is built on prestigious Brickell
Key, and as such its restaurant Azul offers incredible
views of Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline. The dining
room is handsomely appointed too, but there’s no
question that the main attraction here is the cuisine
of chef Michelle Bernstein, who has gained national recognition
for her savvy synthesis of Latin, Asian, Caribbean, Mediterranean
and American culinary influences. Her global agility is
convincingly displayed in innumerably innovative ways:
Duck legs get glazed with five spice mix, and roasted
chestnut soup is sumptuously spiked with black truffles,
minced mushrooms and pancetta. Top flight service and
a great wine list make Azul one of Miami’s premier
dining destinations. |
 Baleen’s
indoor dining room is richly decorated steakhouse-style
with oak-paneled walls, mahogany furnishings and cozy
booths around the perimeter. Lovely space, but stuffy
compared to sitting on the semicircular patio amidst diaphanous
white linen curtains billowing in the breeze. The food
provides a bold contrast to this soothing setting;, executive
chef Arturo Paz is adept at elevating pristine seafood
with creative and robust global accents. Main courses
are available sauced or unsauced, the former featuring
dishes like herb crusted Pacific sea bass with fennel
and leek stew, and Chinese fried snapper with coconut
rice and black bean vinaigrette, the latter referring
to various fish and shellfish that can be ordered simply
roasted, grilled or sautéed. |
|  The
Blue Door, decadent in an understated 90s way, wows
with white curtains, white candles, a white grand piano
and impossibly high ceilings. The outdoor verandah is
an equally impressive spot to dine, overlooking a Philippe
Starck life-sized chessboard and eclectic, pastoral
garden. The tropical-accented French cuisine is also
a sight to behold—and be eaten with gusto. A filet
of black grouper gets eloquently enhanced with cashews,
brown butter and roasted fresh hearts of palm; beef
tenderloin crusted with distinction by a green peppercorn
tempura; and roast duck breast enlivened by bacon, figs
and caramelized pears. Blue Door remains South Beach’s
standard of grandeur, befitting Miami’s flashy
elite, deep-pocketed tourists, or anyone who dares to
dream.
|
| Nemo
100 Collins Ave. (First St.)
305-532-4550 |
15/20
$$$$$ |
 Some
come to Nemo for the Mediterranean dishes, others for
the contemporary American-Pan Asian creations as well
as numerous signature dishes, like the house-cured salmon
and sprout rolls, grilled Indian-spiced pork chop and
pristine shellfish platters presented on three-tier pedestals.
Choose to enjoy your meal from one of the bar stools and
you'll be entertained by the chefs in the open kitchen.
If that's not your style, then nestle into a deep booth
or select a table on the cobblestone patio under an enormous
old oak tree. Wherever you sit, an air of festivity permeates
this exceedingly comfortable restaurant. |
Posh
décor with state-of-the-art lighting, deep-wood
finishes and luxurious high-backed booths create the perfect
milieu for this quintessentially South Beach steakhouse.
Mammoth martinis from a bar running the length of the
dining room suggest that the drink is as significant to
the experience as the food. That’s true, but the
cuisine here has matured over the years like a well-aged
Florentine steak. That hefty cut of beef is still the
most popular item, but chef Barbara Scott has invigorated
the menu with bright Mediterranean additions like whole
duck glazed in truffled honey and sea bass saltimbocca
with baby artichokes. |
Doral
Resort & Spa Golf Course
4400 NW 87th Ave
305-592-2000
 The
Doral Resort’s five championship courses include
the world-famous Blue Monster. After hosting the PGA tournament
for more than forty years, this course is one of the most
recognizable in the country. The 18th hole, with its iconic
fountain, was actually named one of the top 100 holes
in the world by Golf Magazine. Each of the challenging
courses includes thick rough and numerous water holes;
in fact, 16 of the Gold Course’s 18 holes are surrounded
by water. To hone your game, spend some time at the Jim
McLean Golf School.
The
Spa at the Biltmore
The
Biltmore Hotel
1200 Anastasia Ave. (Granada St.)
Coral Gables, FL 33134
305-445-1926
 Hidden
within the hotel's fitness center, The Spa at The Biltmore
feels a little bit like a secret club. You ring a bell
for entry, and are ushered into the sanctuary of all sanctuaries—a
waiting area whose subtle golden lighting and pillowed
sofas bring to mind the earthier, Moroccan works of Matisse.
All the requisite treatments are offered and then some.
Those who believe the luxury should never end will appreciate
the seven-hour Biltmore Ultimate Package, which includes
a body polish, signature massage, facial, manicure, pedicure,
make-up and hair-styling.
Rumi
330 Lincoln Rd. (James Ave.)
305-672-4353
Retro decor, fine dining and trendy nightclub unite
as one at Rumi. Creative Caribbean dishes fill the menu
in this two-level chic club, where the stroke of midnight
transforms the lounge into a hip dancing hotspot. Tables
disappear, lights go down and the live entertainment
begins. Acts range from rockstars to world-famous comedians
and hip local DJs.
Ocean Cruise
401 Biscayne Blvd. (Port Blvd.)
Island
Queen Cruises 305-379-5119
Heritage
Schooner 305-442-9697
 No
tour of Miami would be complete without a spin on the
Atlantic. Island Queen Cruises offer sightseeing tours
aboard its yachts seven days per week. Hosting a meeting
and need to impress? Charter a yacht for the day and
cruise the neighboring islands. For something more old-fashioned,
consider the Heritage Schooner, a tall ship with billowing
sails that offers scenic tours of the Miami River, Coconut
Grove, Biscayne Bay and more. Boats for both companies
depart from the Bayside Marketplace at 401 Biscayne
Blvd.
Salsa Dancing
Starfish
1427 West Avenue
305-673-1717
Let the rhythm get you while learning salsa. Head to
Starfish to learn Salsa Rueda, Miami’s own square-dance-style
take on the sexy dance. Lessons, beginner through advanced,
are offered every Monday and Wednesday. By Friday night,
it’s time to strut your stuff when the club goes
1940s Cuba and you’re surrounded by serious dancers
with cigars, panama hats and ruffled dresses. Also try
Gloria and Emelio Estéfan’s club, Bongos
Cuban Café. Their modern Cuban restaurant
turns into a rocking salsa club on Friday and Saturday
nights. You can find Bongos at 601 Biscayne Blvd. or
call 786-777-2100 for more information.
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| P030899 |
(Updated:
05/15/08 HC) |
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