Screenshot via Instagram/@francissuarez
Audio By Carbonatix
As Miami residents headed to the polls to vote for the next mayor of Miami and District 3 commissioner on Tuesday’s Election Day, term-limited and outgoing Miami Mayor Francis Suarez posted an Instagram story with an impassioned speech encouraging people to exercise their civic duty.
“For democracy to thrive, you gotta participate and freedom of…” Suarez says, before Miami hospitality mogul David Grutman interrupts.
“There’s a little stutter there,” Grutman says. “I was going to say, a couple of stutters.” Suarez adds, “Yeah, was a little stutter, let’s start again, let’s do it again,” and steps out of the frame, waiting to start over. “No, go ahead, go ahead,” Grutman tells the mayor. “Do it again.” Suarez tries again: “For democracy to thrive on Election Day, you have to participate. That’s what liberty and freedom is about.”
Once Suarez finishes, Grutman turns to him and says, “I’m so happy you are here.” Suarez responds, “Thank you. Good to be here with you.”
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And where is “here,” you may ask? No, it’s not outside a Miami polling station or near Miami City Hall. In fact, it is not in South Florida or the Sunshine State at all. Rather, frequent flyer Suarez is more than 1,100 miles away and in a different time zone, visiting the 125-acre, private Moskito Island, owned by billionaire Richard Branson, in the British Virgin Islands. It is particularly fitting for Suarez, who has amassed a $5 million fortune and accumulated airline miles jetsetting across the globe during his eight years as Miami’s mayor.
As mayor-elect Eileen Higgins became Miami’s first woman mayor on a platform of affordability and anti-corruption, Suarez and his entourage partied on a private island. And though the exclusive getaway boasts lush greenery, picturesque cliffs, and tranquil waters from seemingly every vista, Grutman laments the fact that he has “No ocean views. Just want you guys to know.”
Must be rough.
After Branson purchased the island in 2007, the Virgin Group founder and his fellow billionaires developed a private residential community on the island. Guests can choose from four different estates: the seven-suite Cape Stout, eight-suite Point, nine-suite Village, or the 11-suite Oasis. (The exclusive Branson Beach Estate is not included in the Moskito brochure, though it’s listed for rent on the Virgin Limited Edition website.)
During the high season, which runs from November 22 to April 26, the nightly rate to rent an entire Moskito Island estate ranges in price from $34,000 to $43,000. Otherwise, there is a five-suite minimum for $25,000 per night — enough to make your Miami rent seem like a bargain.
Rate sheet/ Moskito Island
“Crafted by visionary billionaires, our four opulent rental estates were built to foster connections in an engaging barefoot community setting,” the Moskito website reads. “Each home has its own distinctive ambiance, amenities, and dedicated crew. World-class private chefs create custom menus and estate managers curate bespoke itineraries, ensuring every aspect of every stay meticulously reflects group preferences at a premium level. Your island awaits.”
Suarez’s speech was part of Grutman’s life lesson video, which he filmed after a tennis match and later posted on social media. It appears that the group, which includes Gopuff co-CEO and cofounder Rafael Ilishayev and Bilt Rewards cofounder David Wyler, is staying at one of the Moskito estates, given that Ilishayev is wearing a Moskito-branded hat in Grutman’s video. According to his financial disclosure forms, Suarez has worked as a consultant for Bilt Technologies, which offers a rewards program for renters, since 2023.
“Life lesson from the British Virgin Islands. Moskito Island?” Grutman asks as the video begins, turning to Wyler.
Wyler confirms, “Yep.”
Grutman continues, “Bilt Rewards, best rewards platform in the world. David, Francis, and Rafi.”
Wyler is first up. “OK, first life lesson, don’t give Dave the garden suite,” Wyler tells the camera. Grutman adds, “No, it’s never good. Never good. Go ahead.” Suarez then gives his spiel. Ilishayev follows Suarez, “You gotta be humble, man. We just lost badly,” and everyone, including Suarez, erupts into laughter.
Grutman concludes the video by discussing his disappointment with his garden suite.
“And I have a garden suite. No ocean views. Just want you guys to know,” he adds. “Everybody else in this whole thing gets ocean views. I am the only guy who seems to have a garden view. Didn’t even know they existed on the island, but I have a beautiful tree.”
It is not immediately clear why the group is visiting the island or who is footing the bill. Other social media posts show chef Thomas Keller, Tao Group Hospitality co-CEO Noah Tepperberg, and his wife, health and wellness influencer Melissa Wood-Tepperberg, among the guests.
While Suarez soaked up the sun, Magic City elected its first Democratic mayor in nearly 30 years. After Higgins won the mayoral race, Suarez congratulated her on social media at 8:33 p.m. Tuesday night (that’s 9:33 p.m. on Moskito Island, for those keeping track at home).
“Congratulations to Eileen Higgins,” he posted on X. “My administration and I are committed to a smooth transition as Miami and its residents move forward.”
