With a tropical climate that boasts hot, humid summers and short, warm winters, Miami is the perfect year round holiday destination.Situated on Florida's Atlantic coast, its swathes of golden beaches, exotic palm trees and idyllic weather are just a few of the attractions on offer.
For a traveller seeking the ultimate in luxury, Miami's got the lot. With up-market shopping malls, exclusive restaurants, an energetic nightlife and spectacularly chic hotels, it gives you a real taste of the red carpet lifestyle.Even its panoramic skyline is famous: Miami was the setting for films such as The Bodyguard, Casino Royale, and Goldfinger.For a glimpse of how the other half lives, a boat trip to millionaire's row, otherwise known as 'Star Island,' is a must. A boat will take you past the palatial properties of showbiz royalty, including those of Julio Iglesias and the late Elizabeth Taylor.
No trip to Miami would be complete without a heady dose of retail therapy. With its array of designer boutiques arranged around a tranquil pool and oasis of palm trees, Bal Harbour Shops is the mecca of malls. For a real VIP experience, book an appointment with a personal consultant at Saks' Fifth Avenue Club, a favourite with J Lo, Rihanna and Stella McCartney.It's worth incorporating the historic Art Deco district into your itinerary too. Vibrant coloured buildings provide a stunning contrast with the modern glass and chrome skyscrapers that tower over them.The W South Beach hotel on Florida's most fashionable coastline is the place to check-in.
Uniquely built to afford each guest a breathtaking view of the Atlantic, it comprises high ceilings and spacious glass balconies that give an unparalleled vista of the honey-coloured sand below.The W's signature 'Whatever/Whenever' service, which provides guests with whatever they want, whenever they want, is a traveller's dream-come-true. VIP treatment continues in the form of top-to-toe pampering in the hotel's Bliss® spa.A favourite among celebrities, Mike Tindall stayed here to celebrate his bachelor party before marrying Zara Phillips, and Hollywood actor, Mark Wahlberg, checked in to film his new movie, Pain & Gain, in Miami.
A busy day soaking up the sun, sites and shops will no doubt leave you hungry. For a traditional Italian al fresco lunch, book a table at Carpaccio, next to Bal Harbour Shops. Or soak up the art deco ambiance at City Hall the Restaurant in Biscayne Boulevard. Its brasserie-style menu suits all palates. Located on the ground floor of W South Beach, world-famous Mr Chow is the celebrity dining hotspot in Miami.After dinner, head to WALL, an exclusive bar and dance venue within the W South Beach. For dinner and dancing under the stars, head to the Vita Restaurant and Lounge on Collins Avenue. This romantic outdoor setting twinkles with fairy lights. But if it's culture you're after, book tickets to a production at the Adrienne Arsht Center for Performing Arts, home of the Florida Grand Opera.
