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7 Concierge Recommendations for a Perfect Day Out in Miami

By Chris Boyle

Acqualina Resort & Spa

Miami’s top concierges share their personal recommendations for a perfect day – and night – in the city.

FRANCOIS CALIXTE

CHIEF CONCIERGE, CONRAD MIAMI

+1 305 503 6502

Having just one day to spend in sunny Miami is a real challenge as the city has so much to offer.

Start with breakfast at Atrio Restaurant on the 25th floor of the Conrad Miami Hotel. The stunning panorama of the city and Biscayne Bay is breathtaking. Enjoy a fun free ride on the Metromover, just across the street from the Conrad, and explore Downtown. Take this monorail to the Government Center; and then walk to the Miami Historical Museum which has exceptional exhibits celebrating Miami’s history. Take a walk through Flagler, Miami’s busiest street to reach Bayside – one of the hottest attractions in the city. Enjoy browsing in the stores, hot music, beautiful settings, tours of the Bayside Bay and Millionaire Row. After lunch in one of the several Latin or International restaurants in the area, round off the afternoon with a visit to the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, a superb historical attraction that’s well worth the visit. A few minutes from the Vizcaya is the wonderful Miami Seaquarium, where swimming with the dolphins will be an unforgettable memory of your time in the city. For a relaxing late afternoon, take tea at The Biltmore, then after a brief stop at the Venetian Pool, head back to the Conrad via Calle Ocho, Miami’s ‘Little Cuba’. After creative cocktails at the Bar on Level 25, it’s time to enjoy South Beach. There are many great restaurants to choose from, but I would recommend Joe’s Stone Crabs for fabulous seafood. After dinner, head out for a fun night in the famous SoBe and visit Mansion, one of the premier clubs.

BEST RESTAURANT

Nobu

Prime One Twelve

+1 305 532 8112

112 Ocean Drive, Miami, 33139

www.mylesrestaurantgroup.com

Red

 +1 305 534 3688

119 Washington, Miami Beach, 33139

www.mylesrestaurantgroup.com

Grazie

+1 305 673 1312

701 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, 33139

www.grazieitaliancuisine.com

Il Gabiano

+1 305 373 0063

335 South Biscayne Blvd,Miami, 33131

www.ilgabbianomiami.com

JOSE LEMA

GUEST SERVICES MANAGER, THE TIDES SOUTH BEACH

+1 305 604 5070

8.30am

Breakfast in a local favorite, News Café on Ocean Drive.

10am

Pick-up at The Tides South Beach for the Zodiac Tour. The Tour departs from Miami Beach and is a two-hour narrated sightseeing trip that includes Stiltsville, Biscayne National Park, Ocean Drive’s Art Deco skyline, celebrity mansions and the Port of Miami. The boats are RIB rides that are used by the FBI, Special Forces, the DEA and the Coast Guard.

1pm

Have a delicious lunch at Van Dyke Café on Lincoln Raod.

2pm

Burn off some of that fabulous lunch or a leisurely shopping trip on Lincoln Road.

6pm

Tired after a busy day? Try a rejuvenating in-room spa Jose Lema, Guest Services Manager, The Tides South Beach treatment at The Tides.

8.30pm

Head to the La Marea, the in-house restaurant at The Tides South Beach for a mouth-watering evening meal to cap off a fantastic day.

BEST RESTAURANT

LA MAREA

+1 305 604 5070

1220 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, 33139

www.tidessouthbeach.com

OLA

+1 305 695 9125

5061 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, 33137

www.olamiami.com

Wish

+1 305 674 9474

The Hotel, 801 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, 33139

www.wishrestaurant.com

BEST SHOPPING

Atrium

+1 305 695 0757

1931 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, 33139

www.atriumnyc.com

BEST ACTIVITY

Art Deco Tour
www.mdpl.org

TATIANA ECHEVERRI

Tatiana Echeverri

CONCIERGE SUP ERVISOR, ACQUALINA RESORT & SPA

+1 305 918 8000

Start the day with breakfast at the ‘No. 1 Zagat’- rated restaurant Il Mulino. After a fine breakfast, enjoy the pristine, private white sands at Acqualina.

If you don’t fancy getting sand in your clothes, then choose from any one of our three pools, before enjoying a beachfront lunch at the Costa Grill restaurant with its fine gourmet cuisine and stunning views over the beach. If you’re into pampering, indulge yourself with a soothing massage at our world-renowned ESPA spa, or choose from a selection of treatments on offer. Complete the evening with a breathtakingly romantic private dinner on the beach, where the only company is the steady glow of the surrounding candles, and the only sound the gentle lapping of the waves on the shore.

BEST RESTAURANT

Il Mulino

+1 305 446 9191

17875 Collins Avenue, Sunny Isles Beach, 33160

www.ilmulino.com/miami.html

Bourbon Steak

+1 786 279 6600

19999 West Country Club Drive, Aventura, 33180

www.michaelmina.net

Chef Allen’s

+1 305 935 2900

19088 NE 29 Avenue, Aventura, 33180

www.chefallens.com

BEST SHOPPING

Aventura Mall

19501 Biscayne Boulevard, Aventura, 33180
www.aventuramall.com

Bal Harbour Shops

9701 Collins Avenue, Bal Harbour

www.balharbourshops.com

CARLOS IVAN AYALA

Carlos Ivan Ayala

+1 305 358 3535

Begin your day at the poolside, where you can experience some of our signature amenities such as Evian Spritz and frozen fruit brochettes, while browsing the day’s newspapers on one of our complimentary Kindles.

Then head to the Design District for a tapas lunch at Sra. Martinez and some retail therapy at the nearby boutiques, including Marni, Christian Louboutin and Tomas Maier. Recognized as one of the country’s top art destinations, Miami‘s galleries and exhibition spaces are also worth a visit. The Steinebaum Gallery in Wynwood showcases some of the area’s leading artists, including Edouard Duval-Carrié, whose work is also displayed at the hotel.

BEST SHOP

The Webster

1220 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach 33139

www.thewebstermiami.com

BEST ACTIVITY

Tour of Vizcaya Museum & Gardens

+1 305 250 9133

3251 South Miami Avenue, Miami, 33129

www.miamidade.gov/vizcaya

RICHARD MONTENEGRO

CHIEF CONCIERGE, THE SAGAMORE

+1 305 535 8088

For your first meal of the day, head to the Front Porch Café which offers a very tasty breakfast/brunch.

After breakfast, take a private airboat tour to the Everglades, which is south Florida’s biggest national park. Undoubtedly you’ll get to see the alligators, along with the Everglades’ myriad of wildlife. Then for lunch, grab a bite to eat at the Dilido Beach Club, enjoy the food alfresco with a great view of the beach and the boardwalk.

BEST RESTAURANT

STK at the Gansevoort hotel

This chic restaurant really stands out because of the atmosphere. They have a live DJ spinning throughout the night, which gives the restaurant a lively feel. In addition, the food and the service are great. You will definitely leave this restaurant wanting to party.

2377 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, 33139
www.gansevoortmiamibeach.com

Casa Tua

If you want to change the pace and mellow out somewhere more romantic and intimate, I would recommend the terrace at Casa Tua where you can enjoy excellent Italian cuisine. Barton G Address: 1427 West Avenue, Miami Beach Website: www.bartong.com You can’t go wrong with Barton G – they offer delicious New American cuisine and are also well known for the presentation of their dishes. And if you like desserts, this is definitely the place to come.

1701 James Avenue, Miami Beach, 33139

www.casatualifestyle.com/restaurant.htm

BEST SHOPPING

Lincoln Road Shops

I would recommend the shops on Lincoln Road. They have just a little bit of everything; from unique boutiques to brand names. If you work up an appetite while shopping, then have a seat in one of the many restaurants and dine outdoors while you people watch

Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, 33139
www.lincolnroadmall.com

BEST ACTIVITY

Watersports

As an outdoors fanatic, I recommend renting jet skis or a private boat and venturing out on to the ocean. Then, of course, there is the infamous South Beach nightlife, but that’s a totally different chapter!

GU ILHERME DEMELO

CHIEF CONCIERGE, MANDARIN ORIENTAL

+1 305 913 8288

The best way to start the day is with a delicious breakfast on the waterfront terrace at Café Sambal, followed by a leisurely morning at the private Oasis Beach Club.

Order lunch by the infinity edge pool while taking in the beautiful views of the Miami skyline and Biscayne Bay, followed by an afternoon stroll to Mary Brickell Village, which has an eclectic mix of outdoor shopping and dining. Guests can enjoy an evening meal in the Village or return to the hotel for a sumptuous dinner in Azul, one of the city’s top dining destinations.

BEST RESTAURANT

Azul

500 Brickell Key Drive, Miami, 33131

www.mandarinoriental.com

Il Gabbiano

+1 305 373 0063

335 South Biscayne Blvd, Miami, 33131

www.ilgabbianomiami.com

Hakkasan

Fontainbleau Resort, 4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, 33140

www.hakkasan.com

BEST SHOPPING

Bal Harbour Shops

9701 Collins Avenue, Bal Harbour, 33154

www.balharbourshops.com

BEST ACTIVItY

Zodiac Ocean & Bay Adventure Tour

300 Alton Road, Miami Beach

www.oceanforceadventures.com

T.J. CAMINO

CONCIERGE, FISHER ISLE & RESORT

+1 305 535 6000

Get your day off to a fine start with breakfast at the Beach Club.

Then take a private tour of the original Vanderbilt mansion, which serves as the centerpiece of the resort that’s dotted with charming villas and cottages from the original property. Afterwards, relax on Fisher Island’s sugar-sand private beach, with authentic Bahamian sand. Sport aficionados can challenge themselves on the nine-hole championship golf course, try their hand at the world-class tennis center or hire a boat at the marina. For lunch and dinner, Fisher Island offers a collection of dining options catering for every mood and requirement. As guests tour the island via complimentary golf carts, they will discover stunning island views including breathtaking vistas of Downtown Miami and the marina, plus unforgettable sunsets.

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