Date of publication 23/03/2026
Exquisite Miami Guide: Luxury, Flavor, and Exclusivity
Did you know we have two hotels in Miami, perfectly positioned to help you discover its most refined side? Few cities in the United States live and eat with the same intensity as this Florida destination. Beyond serving as your gateway to the Caribbean, its forward-thinking culinary and artistic scene invites you to embrace culture, fine dining, and the pleasure of all the senses. Miami’s spirit is shaped by a love of art and life, and by a way of enjoying both without pretense, shared openly with anyone curious enough to experience it.
What follows is a Miami guide where flavor and exclusivity not only go hand in hand, but have the power to turn your vacation into the most aesthetic moment of the year.
What makes Miami an exquisite destination?
Beyond the beaches
The city’s name comes from the Native American Mayaimi tribe, linked to the lake of the same name, who inhabited this area between the 16th and 17th centuries. It means “big water” or “fresh water,” a reference to the region’s vast wetlands and rivers. Miami’s beaches offer another perspective on its striking geography, where bright sunshine meets temperatures that rarely fall below 63°F or rise above 91°F.
Between the vibrant energy of Miami Beach, facing the turquoise waters of Biscayne Bay, and the Cuban traditions found in the “ventanitas” along Calle Ocho in Little Havana, this is a city made up of many cities at once.
The city’s transformation
You are about to set out on a journey that feels anything but ordinary. An experience to enjoy as a couple, with friends, or with family at hotels designed for all ages in Miami. Over time, the city has evolved through a blend of influences and styles. Today, skyscrapers define its skyline, reflecting its financial and technological growth, along with advances in transportation such as the Brightline high-speed train.
Yet many streets remain an open-air Art Deco museum, where pastel facades, palm trees, and carefully crafted details evoke the atmosphere of a film set in the 1980s or 90s.
High-end gastronomy
The rise of the Michelin Guide in Miami
From breakfast through dinner, Miami wins you over through its high-end culinary scene. The city is home to 15 Michelin-starred restaurants. L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, the only two-Michelin-star restaurant in South Florida, reimagines classic French cuisine through a modern, art-inspired approach. Others, such as Elcielo Miami with its Colombian roots, Los Félix with its indigenous-inspired Mexican cuisine, or Stubborn Seed led by chef Jeremy Ford, reflect the city’s rich cultural and culinary diversity.
The Miami Beach Marina area combines dining plans with one of the most expensive marinas in the world. Here, you will find everything needed for yacht maintenance, as well as services for buying or renting boats and organizing offshore excursions, whether for diving or water skiing.
Signature cuisine in the Design District and Brickell
Luxury venues in Brickell and the Design District attract food lovers from around the world. As a point of interest, signature cuisine blends with celebrity-driven concepts, such as Gekko, the Japanese restaurant by Bad Bunny.
Gloria Estefan’s Cuban restaurant is located on iconic Ocean Drive in Miami Beach, close to some of the best all-inclusive hotels in the area. Miami’s personality embraces its own mythology without hesitation in places like Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, a waterfront mansion surrounded by gardens that reflect the early 20th-century American dream of owning a European-style palace. Built by James Deering as a winter retreat, Vizcaya features elements of colonial Spanish architecture, Italian Renaissance design, and Baroque gardens, all decorated with antiques brought from Europe.
Omakase experiences
The Japanese expression Omakase can be translated as “I’ll leave it in your hands,” or in culinary terms, “I trust the chef.” This philosophy is also a preparation style associated with sushi, in which the chef selects and prepares dishes using fresh, seasonal ingredients rather than following a traditional menu chosen by the diner.
In Miami, venues such as Nossa Omakase, ELYU Omakase, an intimate experience with only 12 seats per service, and Hiden, awarded one Michelin star, elevate Japanese cuisine while infusing it with Florida’s distinctive energy.
Designer shopping
Bal Harbour Shops
Considered one of the most exclusive shopping destinations near Miami Beach hotels, Bal Harbour Shops brings together leading fashion houses around a lush open-air courtyard. It also offers a selection of dining experiences served among palm trees and refreshing fountains. Much of its appeal lies in the unmistakable sense of exclusivity created by Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue, two of the most iconic luxury department stores favored by American high society.
Miami Design District
A furniture store opened during the Roaring Twenties marked the beginning of what is now the Miami Design District, currently spanning around 18 blocks filled with cutting-edge architecture, interior design spaces, and luxury boutiques. Highlights include the Institute of Contemporary Art Miami (ICA), designed by Spanish architects Aranguren + Gallegos, and the Museum Garage, a parking structure opposite the ICA featuring six artistic facades created by different designers, including the Spanish studio Clavel Arquitectos. Check out our three-day Miami guide so you don't miss anything in this part of the city.
Wynwood’s art galleries
Miami’s art galleries operate within their own universe, shaped by distinct codes and creative energy. Openings and exhibitions by contemporary artists such as Lealanie Larach and Rochi Llaneza play a central role in the city’s social scene.
The neighborhood where creative minds set the tone for what the world will be drawn to in the coming years is Wynwood. Its streets are filled with alternative cultural proposals, including the largest collection of street art in the United States. One of its defining moments takes place on the second Saturday of each month at sunset, during the Wynwood Art Walk, when shops, galleries, and restaurants open their doors and turn the district into a vibrant, must-visit celebration.
Stays that define excellence
Iberostar Waves Berkeley Shore
If you are looking for a four-star hotel in Miami with a modernist style for all ages, Iberostar Waves Berkeley Shore is set in an iconic 1940s building in the heart of the shopping district. It is close to some of the city’s most lively nightlife spots. Its solarium overlooks Collins Avenue, and the fitness center is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The hotel features purified water stations, a heated rooftop pool, and a reserved beach area for guests with sun loungers and umbrellas just 330 feet from the property.
Iberostar Waves Miami Beach
Iberostar Waves Miami Beach is a hotel with a private beach area located in the heart of the Art Deco district. Its 80 rooms, free of single-use plastics, are thoughtfully decorated by local artists. Near the Miami Beach Convention Center, it adapts equally well to business or leisure travel, offering a way to experience the city’s energy from a place of comfort and understated indulgence.
Its rooftop pool set among skyscrapers and its culinary offering, including restaurants such as La Vie Belle Miami, founded by Italian owners, are only the beginning.
Exclusive experiences
Sailing Biscayne Bay at sunset
One of the most exclusive experiences available during a stay at our Miami hotels does not cost a thing: spending the day on one of the idyllic beaches of Key Biscayne, an island whose natural character has been carefully preserved. Key Biscayne captivates with its unspoiled coastline, where clear waters and white sand attract those seeking a quieter atmosphere. The beach at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park has even been recognized as one of the most beautiful in the United States.
At sunset, boat tours across Biscayne Bay offer views of the famous “millionaire homes.” These guided experiences often include cocktails and appetizers and can range from family-friendly cruises, including pirate-themed outings, to private yacht experiences for a more elevated option.
Private clubs and rooftops with skyline views
For many travelers, Miami represents endless summer and a sense of freedom. The boundaries of routine fade the moment you step onto South Beach, a stretch of white sand that sets the scene for both relaxation and fun. Ocean Drive, one of the most iconic streets in the country, is perfect for activities such as running, surfing, or cycling, as well as for enjoying a drink while watching the ever-changing parade of style and sun-kissed energy.
From above, private clubs and rooftop venues take over. The Bath Club, with private membership, dates back to the golden age of the 1920s and is the city’s oldest social club. Others, open to the public, such as Casa NEOS or The Rusty Pelican, offer panoramic views. The next day, unwind by the pool while taking in the skyline at Iberostar’s all-inclusive hotels in Miami.
From Art Basel to Formula 1
If one architectural style defines Miami, it is Art Deco. Pastel tones, a taste for classical references, lush greenery, clean lines, rounded balconies, and cylindrical towers topped with neon lights define this aesthetic from the 1920s and 30s. The city is home to more than 700 such buildings, most of them located in South Beach along the ocean between 6th and 23rd Streets.
At the Art Deco Welcome Center, you can visit a dedicated museum and join a guided tour of the district.
The city’s creative pulse extends further. In December, Miami Beach hosts Art Basel, one of the most important contemporary art fairs in the world, featuring exhibitions, performances, talks, and workshops, as well as opportunities for artists, galleries, collectors, and enthusiasts to connect.
The atmosphere fills with conversation, energy, and well-known faces during events such as the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix, held each May at the Miami International Autodrome. Music also plays a central role. The New World Center, designed by Frank Gehry, is home to the New World Symphony Orchestra. Its main hall, with exceptional acoustics and more than 750 seats, hosts performances by its acclaimed musicians, while the building’s exterior occasionally transforms into a large projection screen for open-air concerts.
Enjoy these and many other cultural moments during your stay at our Miami hotels.
