Search Results for "Miami beach resorts"

What’s a high-profile chef to do when he flames out on the West Coast? Return to his Miami roots and rediscover the food he loves. That’s the premise of Chef, Jon Favreau’s 2014 film that shows off both sides of Miami — the high-end resorts and beaches where tourists flock, and the cozy mainland haunts where locals gather. Chef Casper’s food truck (played by real-life Miami food truck Jefe’s Original Fish Taco and Burger) makes stops in front of the Fontainebleau and along Ocean Drive, serving up Cuban sandwiches to the swarming masses. But the chef really gets his groove back at Little Havana nightclub Hoy Como Ayer, alongside Sofia Vergara shimmying to its house Cuban band. Casper ultimately leaves Miami to embark on a cross-country road trip with his food truck to return to Los Angeles to prove himself. But he brings Miami’s food along with him for the ride, telling audiences worldwide what South Florida locals have known for decades: Can’t nobody resist a fresh-pressed cubano.

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For decades, the Fontainebleau had been regarded as the granddaddy of all luxury resorts in Miami Beach; by the ’90s, it had lost a bit of its luster. But it’s funny what a multibillion-dollar renovation can do. After a complete overhaul in 2009, the hotel reopened with a more youthful vibe, including a megaclub far away from South Beach. The legendary Tropigala, which had turned into a horrible, campy version of its former self toward its end, was replaced by LIV — which is the roman numeral for 54, the year the hotel opened. Locals and visitors seemed to fall instantly in love with the venue, proving you don’t have to be located on Washington Avenue to be successful. The pantheonic dome remained, but it received a lighting face-lift that gives the illusion the room is moving. For VIPs, there are boxes overlooking the main floor, which is packed with couches and tables, as well as bottles outfitted with sparklers. And this being Miami Beach, and the Fontainebleau in particular, expect high admission prices, a hassle at the door, and a big drink bill at the end of the night — if you aren’t of the fairer sex. That being said, you can’t say you’ve experienced Miami nightlife if you haven’t visited LIV. From Paul Oakenfold to Calvin Harris to Tiësto and other big live acts, thanks to LIV, your granddaddy’s hotel is looking pretty hip these days.

Life ain’t always a picnic in one of the world’s most beautiful cities: road rage on the Palmetto, that endless parking-spot search on South Beach, the eternal quest to stay thin amid a lifestyle of constant partying. Sooner or later you realize you need to slow down, chica! It’s time for a staycation at one of the most luxurious spa resorts on the planet. The famous Canyon Ranch in Arizona, home to the rich and famous who need a quick way to lose ten pounds before the Oscars, also has a Miami Beach resort complete with an insane number of amenities. Check into the all-suite hotel and you’ll meet a team of doctors, therapists, nutritionists, and personal trainers, all designed to whip your mind, body, and spirit into shape in about a week. Beginning with beach walks and meditations, you’ll be massaged, colonic’ed, kneaded, analyzed, pampered, and destressed every minute of the day. For when you wind down, your suite comes with a kitchen equipped with a juicer, blender, and fridge (perfect to whip up some papaya smoothies), and instead of a lobby, there’s a gathering space where you can sip an organic cocktail before having a heart-healthy meal from a menu custom-prepared for you. Then climb the indoor rock wall, learn kickboxing, do yoga, or relax at one of the four gorgeous pools. With rates starting around $400 a night (and reaching more than $2,000), it’s not cheap. But it’s a lot less expensive than a week at the local cardiac care unit or psych ward.