ELLE Escapes: Miami

Miami draws sun seekers year-round, but the coastal metropolis becomes a cultural roost when the ultimate influx of sports fans, partygoers, and cognoscente flock there from around the world for the multi-day fête that is Formula 1. The so-called Magic City plays host to a constellation of celebrity performances, sophisticated dining, and star-studded parties that have cemented F1 as one of the most talked-about events on the world stage. Not many destinations can strike the perfect balance of revelry and serenity like Miami can. With that in mind, here’s a guide for where to stay, indulge, and what to see, whether you want to hit the party circuit or sink your toes into the sand.

What to See

St. Regis Bal Harbour Spa

Courtesy of The St. Regis Bal Harbour

The St. Regis Bal Harbour Spa offers luxe treatments inspired by Caroline Astor, the late 19th-century American socialite, at a five-star hotel. The signature treatment is the 24K Gold Wrap, a golden sugar scrub full-body exfoliation, which notably isn’t found anywhere else in the world. The spa also features breathtaking tubs, private rain showers, and a whole menu of options for even the weariest traveler. And, if you’re on a lover’s retreat, grab your other half and snag one of the spacious couples treatment rooms to try out the 90-minute-long Four Elements Couples Journey, featuring a hydro bath, back and scalp massage, and more.

E11EVEN

Adinayev

Miami’s world-renowned, 24-hour ultra club is an immersive adventure known for its unforgettable entertainment, from trapeze artists and burlesque dancers to A-list performers by the biggest names in music. And, set to open early next year will be Giselle Miami—a new restaurant located on its rooftop to further expand on its hospitality offering. The star-studded Art Week lineup features Offset, Travis Scott, Machine Gun Kelly, and more. Don’t forget to snag an E11EVEN snapback—the Miami version of a Yankees cap.

The Rubell Museum

Courtesy The Rubell Museum

The Rubell Museum houses one of the largest private contemporary art collections in America, from Jean-Michel Basquiat to Keith Haring. During Art Week this year, Nike will host “Virgil Abloh: The Codes c/o Architecture,” a four-day experience celebrating the late designer’s creative legacy nearly one year after his passing, in addition to the museum’s array of ongoing exhibitions like Yayoi Kusama’s “Infinity Room” and the kaleidoscopic “Narcissus Garden.” After you’ve worked up an appetite from lapping the museum, stop by its inventive on-site Basque restaurant, Leku, with a charming dining room and outdoor garden.

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Where to Eat

Contessa

Courtesy Major Food Group

Inspired by the old-world sophistication of Northern Italy’s iconic estates, Contessa is the latest dining destination by Major Food Group that transports guests from the Miami Design District to Lake Como. The plushy, jewel-toned interior gives it a glitzy “grand trattoria” style of elevated dining, with dishes like squash carpaccio and spicy lobster capellini that will definitely have you coming back for more. Nearby, you’ll find fashion brands dominating the area, like Fendi’s Casa opening, the launch of Giorgio Armani Love with Italian artist Marcantonio, and Prada’s live music project.

Gekkō

Michael Stavaridis

The newest eatery from hospitality mogul David Grutman is a Japanese-inspired steakhouse opened in partnership with Grammy-winning artist Bad Bunny. Located in Miami’s bustling Brickell neighborhood, Gekkō serves up premium steak cuts and jaw-dropping sushi inventions ensconced in a dark and sultry atmosphere—a nod to its name, which translates to “moonlight” in Japanese.

Klaw

Courtesy Klaw

Klaw is a decadent new addition to Miami’s restaurant lineup, offering a surf and turf-style menu where cuts of steak are displayed in dry-aging fridges and king crab (rightfully) stands alone as its own course. The two-floor restaurant completely transformed the historic Miami Women’s Club, and boasts a swanky dining room with colonial-arched windows, complemented by a tropical rooftop bar (the neighborhood’s only one) with panoramic views of Biscayne Bay.

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Where to Drink

The Living Room

Courtesy Faena Miami Beach

Designed in part by Hollywood luminary Baz Luhrmann, Faena Miami Beach is pure decadence, from the Argentine murals that flank the lobby to the candy-striped lido deck and Art Deco-inspired suites. The Living Room bar in particular is the see-and-be-seen locale for late-night drinks, with live bands on rotation throughout the week. And before you head out, make sure to venture through the back for a quick photo next to the colossal 24-karat gold Damien Hirst mammoth, because if you don’t, were you ever really in Miami?

Soho Beach House

Courtesy Soho Beach House

The unofficial HQ of Miami Art Week is always the Soho House “tent,” which returns each year to bring everyone together on the sand. This week, the tent is a focal point for intimate artist talks with talent like Chance the Rapper, as well as memorable live performances from Rick Ross, James Blake, Leon Bridges, and more. Whether you’re passing by for programming or meeting friends for a picante night cap, Soho House always brings some of the most memorable experiences into the early hours. Psst, its new sister house, Soho Pool House, will also make its grand entrance in the city hosting activities with Meta.

Dante’s HiFi

Courtesy Dante’s HiFi

Dante’s HiFi is a tucked-away soulful haunt in Wynwood playing tunes exclusively on vinyl. The vintage-inspired décor and library of records make you feel like you’re hanging out in someone’s living room (offering a totally different vibe from your typical Miami going-out spots), but it’s a must-visit for craft cocktails and disco energy. Also in the neighborhood, Balmain debuts an exhibit with Cuban contemporary artist Alexandre Arrechea at Villa Balmain, featuring an art collection and Web3 experience. (When in Wynwood!)

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Where to Stay

The Miami Beach EDITION

Courtesy The Miami Beach EDITION

Part of American Express’ Fine Hotel + Resorts program, Ian Schrager’s stay-and-play hideaway is an icon of modern glamour on Collins Avenue. Beyond its dreamy rooms, jungle-like lobby, and epic dining options, the true magic of the EDITION is its entertainment program, which hits its peak during Art Week. Attempt a strike in the technicolor bowling alley, ice skate under Olivia Steele’s “I Had Too Much to Dream Last Night” installation, or dance your heart out in the nightclub to a rotation of DJs. Down the beach, Saint Laurent celebrates its beachfront gallery exhibition curated by creative director Anthony Vaccarello and his longtime muse, Madonna.

Esmé Miami Beach Hotel

Christian Harder

This newly opened boutique hotel has quickly become the gem of the historic Española Way, once frequented by Al Capone and actor Desi Arnaz. The property is splashed in an eclectic color palette with Arabic and French-influenced interiors, a nod to the neighborhood’s bohemian past when it was once an artist colony built to resemble Mediterranean villages. Its cocktail bar, El Salón, has become a favorite hideout, with DJs spinning old soul and funk records, while the restaurant Drexel serves Mediterranean plates dreamed up by the creators of Mandolin Aegean Bistro. As an added bonus, NYC spa and treatment center JECT will be popping up through spring of next year, if you’re in need of a skin refresh while in town.

Arlo Wynwood

Courtesy Arlo Wynwood

The first-ever hotel in the Wynwood arts district, Arlo is a cozy refuge with a budget-friendly room offering, cabana-clad rooftop pool deck, dining concept by chef Brad Kilgore, and an indoor-outdoor bar called Higher Ground, overseen by a cocktail collective famous for the award-winning bar Broken Shaker. And, in a commitment to the creative community it calls home (which has the largest concentration of street art in the world), the boutique hotel will showcase more than 250 works of art throughout the property.

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Beauty Picks

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Taylor Stoddard is a freelance journalist covering lifestyle topics from travel to fashion. When she’s not writing, she’s likely trying a new restaurant, reading up on the latest NASA headlines, or trying to learn a new language at 35,000 feet.

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