Accommodation in Miami

Miami, often dubbed ‘The Magic City’, basks under the permanently blue skies of Southern Florida and moves to a heavy Cuban-infused beat. Perpetually skating the line between tropical beach town and urban metropolis, Miami shirks from the conventional and dances with the eccentric. Hints to a sleepier past lie in the fine 1930s architecture and the celebrated Art Deco stylings of the Venetian Pool.

Miami stands resolutely on the Atlantic coast, overlooking the blue-green cyan of the Biscayne Bay. * More than half of the population speak Spanish and Cuban culture plays a key role in everything from politics to the local street food. * Flagler’s famous railroad was the spur that brought development and progression to Florida. This expansion continued throughout the war and into the 1920s, bringing one of the largest collections of Art Deco architecture in the world.

The city is divided into four main districts. Downtown, the city’s cultural and financial centre, with its glitzy skyline; North, including the hip enclaves of Little Haiti and the ‘Design District’; West and South, home to the city’s famous ‘Little Havana’; and Miami Beach, home to some of Florida’s best-known beaches. South Beach is probably the most popular part of the city to base yourself in as a tourist, but with such a variety of districts; each with its own distinct atmosphere, it is worth examining all the options in the ‘Magic City’ before deciding where to stay. For those seeking tranquility, Coconut Grove, traditionally a mecca for painters and writers retains an air of its humble village beginnings and Wimdu have some fantastic accommodation options in this neighbourhood.

Although the two are usually conflated, Miami Beach is actually a separate municipality to the city itself. However, no trip to Miami would be complete without a few days and nights exploring the famous beach, which has been one of the US’s most popular resorts for the past hundred years. To get a sense of this history, head to the Art Deco Centre and grab a map of the local architectural walking routes. Following this map will take you from the high rises of the present day back to the glamorous 1920s and 1930s, when large parts of the district were covered with incredible art deco buildings, which are still kept in pristine condition today. For a counterpoint to this old-time elegance, make sure to take a walk down the famous Ocean Drive after dusk, when the road is lit up with thousands of neon lights in every shade imaginable.

The food scene in Miami is highly developed and the mix of cultures contribute to an eclectic range of offerings. The city is often heralded for its New World cuisine. This is a blend of local produce with Latin American and Caribbean influences, cooked using European techniques. There are a host of fine Latin restaurants, especially Cuban, and a plethora of other restaurants that take their learnings from South American cuisine. The restaurant scene is very much a reflection of the diversity of the city and many new dining establishments continue to pop-up, alongside some of the older institutions. The ‘Floribbean’ flavoured seafood on offer is also fantastic. This fusion of flavours makes Miami a wonderful city to explore and one that continues to draw, surprise and excite foodies.

Miami International Airport is located to the west of Miami and is an important transportation hub for passengers travelling to Latin America from Europe. The airport is also predominantly used by American Airlines, which handles domestic flights within the USA. Fort Lauderdale International Airport is 25 minutes north of Miami and mainly handles domestic flights from companies such as JetBlue and Southwest Airlines. There are various public transportation options available for passengers including a free shuttle bus from both MIA and FLL to the nearest Tri-Rail train station and MetroRail stations. Perhaps the best and quickest way to get to where you want to go is to take a taxi or hire a car. Miami’s bus system has recently been developed further, but still, because of the high traffic load in the city, services rarely run on schedule.