Miami: 10 Hotspots for Superyacht Guests

Famous for its turquoise Atlantic shoreline, kitsch Art Deco architecture and Latin swagger, South Beach is usually one of the first things people think of when it comes to Miami, yet the city also boasts a bona fide international arts scene and some of the world’s most renowned dining establishments. Here is our round-up of the top 10 things to do in the city…

Enjoy some culture at Miami Design District

While focus might be on the art and design, Miami Design District is also the place to go for upscale shopping and creative dining – culinary purveyors have been popping up beside local celebrity chefs like Michael Schwartz and Brad Kilgore. Each week seems to welcome a new attraction, be it the unveiling of an exclusive new art gallery or a new high-fashion flagship - Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Louis Vuitton and Prada are just a few of the tenants – so be sure to spend half a day exploring everything that’s on offer.

Get a golden tan on South Beach

One of the nation’s greatest stretches of sugar-white sands, South Beach is where the magic happens. The heart of Ocean Drive spans from 5^th to 15^th street and runs parallel to Lummus Park and the beach, so take a stroll to get a taste of the somewhat infamous strip before checking into one of the beach’s five-star luxury hotels for an afternoon of sunbathing. Check out The Setai for the ultimate in discretion and privacy.

Check into The Setai Miami Beach

Visit Espanola Way

This charming area near South Beach that is filled with Spanish colonial architecture and open-air European streets, Espanola Way holds an important place in Miami’s heart. Coming to life with buzzing bars and popular restaurants, it is the ideal place for a stroll under the warm Miami sunshine, while twinkling strings of café lights make the streets an idyllic setting to enjoy a meal and a glass of wine with your partner – the upscale Mercato Della Pescheria is the ultimate spot. Salsa Thursdays are also a popular activity among locals and visitors like – head to Havana 1975 around 7pm for the party.

Be at one with nature at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

One of south Florida’s natural jewels, the 83-acre garden is filled with tropical splendor. Take your time to explore this lush rainforest with its meandering streams, sunken gardens and dramatic vistas, with the exquisite rare plant conservatory a must-see thanks to its stunning showcase of flora and fauna. Exclusive private tours can be booked for individuals and small groups with the help of expertly trained volunteer docents should you prefer a little more privacy.

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Dance the night away

Miami is often touted as the party capital of the US, and at night is awash with leading DJs who host parties every night of the week. Your first port of call should be LIV – the upscale establishment underwent a $10 million renovation in 2017 and now boasts a huge LED spider designed by SJ lighting owner Steve Lieberman – the genius behind Ultra’s and Electric Daisy Carnival’s insane light shows. Be sure to book a table at LIV’s sister nightclub Story, too. This 27,000 square foot South Beach dance mecca regularly hosts DJs including Tiësto and Travis Scott and is the number one spot to see and be seen.

LIV Nightclub. Credit: Simon Hare

Relax and revitalise

Your visit to Miami should be anything but stressful, so why not schedule in some time for yoga? The colourful 22,000 square foot Tierra Santa Healing House in Miami’s most extravagant hotel, Faena Miami Beach, is home to one east coast America’s largest hammams and offers one-on-one yoga classes alongside body-healing rituals created just for you by shamans. Or for even more seclusion, why not hire one of Miami’s many private yoga teachers for a sunset session on board your superyacht?

Indulge in a little R&R at Tierra Santa Healing House

Take a private Art Deco walking tour

The Miami Art Deco Historic District is full of flavourful, coloured infrastructure and is the perfect place to while away a few hours on foot. To ensure the best experience possible, ask your captain to arrange an exclusive private tour – companies often host international celebrities, diplomats and royalty so you can ensure total discretion during your day while walking away with some expert facts about everything from the materials used to construct some of Miami’s most iconic buildings to details about the luminaries who designed them.

Explore Wynwood Walls

Real estate developer Tony Goldman put Wynwood on the map when he spearheaded the Wynwood Walls – a curated outdoor gallery featuring large-scale murals by world-famous street artists. In a matter of years, this former industrial hub, home to warehouses and auto shops, now boasts the hottest galleries, trendiest bars and best restaurants in Miami. Check out the street art before anything else - private walking tours are available where you can learn about the ever-changing murals by some of history’s most legendary graffiti writers and iconic street artists, passionately led by Goldman Global Arts team and specially-curated guest tour guides.

Discover art at the Wynwood Walls

Embark on a culinary journey

There are many reasons that people visit Miami, and its plethora of award-winning restaurants is right up there with new venues popping up all the time and old staples holding their ground. One of the most exclusive dining experiences in the city, Brickell Key’s Naoe seats only eight diners at a time with a chef-selection only menu, while closer to the marina in Miami Beach’s most opulent hotel, Faena, is PAO by Paul Qui – a one-of-a-kind Asian culinary experience complemented by beautiful ocean views.

Sample contemporary Asian fare at PAO by Paul Qui

Indulge in some retail therapy at Bal Harbour

Miami has been an epicenter of style long before Gianni Versace ruled South Beach, and Bal Harbour is the place where royals and VIPs flock to shop. Tucked away on the northern tip of Miami Beach, the enclave is home to some of the most exclusive brands in the world including Chanel, Gucci, Prada, Valentino and Saks Fifth Avenue, to name a few. Float around three floors of boutiques nestled in between a lush landscape of plants, palm trees, koi ponds and fountains before settling into one of its trendy eateries for a delicious meal. 

Get a round in at Miami Beach Golf Club

Tee off at Miami Beach Golf Club

Miami is home to over 20 award-winning golf courses. One of the finest public courses in south Florida, Miami Beach Golf Club is the perfect place for golf aficionados to get a round in during a stopover in the city. Slightly further afield but even more exclusive, the Trump National Doral is fresh off a $250 million renovation to its 800-acre property, and also plays host to the PGA Tour’s World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship. The 18^th hole on its Blue Monster course was ranked amongst the Top 100 in the world by Golf Magazine, so be sure to book some tee time in here.