Ready to plan a vacation to sizzling hot vacation to Miami?

Here are the best ideas for a Miami vacation!

How does Miami compare to New York City?

Unlike, NYC, Miami has a completely different vibe to it! They could not be more more opposite cities.

Miami struck me as a cross between Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

It has a city adjacent to a gorgeous beach – like LA, but it also has every imaginable trendy and swanky hotel, to hang in your bathing suit all day, with basically all your needs under one roof.

All along South Beach: hotels are vibrant with loud music, imbibing, and people that are just genuinely trying to have a good time!

What I loved most about Miami were the beautiful colors: the ocean is crystal blue/teal and every evening the sky becomes a gorgeous mix of blue, orange, pink, and yellow.

It really is that picturesque sunset you see on the post cards.

Luckily the weather was fantastic – no rain or thunder, so I was able to spend a lot of time outdoors and even got in some water sports!

I tried paddle boarding for the first time, and true to form I did a training wheel version! (What can I say – I am fairly risk-averse when it comes to outdoor / sport activity.)

Either way it was really fun to try it and to wade and dip in and out of the water.

Saturday was spent at The Standard Hotel, which was a trendy and cool set-up – right on the bay with access to the water. The Standard always knows how to deliver a very on trend experience. The decor was modern and breezy with couches and hammocks ensconced in luscious green gardens.

Try out at The Ritz Carlton, Key Biscayne for a fabulous brunch on Sundays.

This hotel is secluded in a tropical environment and with the heat beating down, the geckos found their way into the courtyard to bask in it: every turn there would be a lizard just chilling! I took their lead and soon did the same poolside!

What to wear in Miami?

See my entire post on Miami outfits here – but in general it’s hot! Especially in the summer. So keep that in mind when packing.

Below I’ve compiled some pictures from my weekend in Miami and the H & M maxi dress I lived in down there was the perfect piece for going from the pool to the beach, to land! And yes: it’s H & M – affordable and cute – always a good option while traveling.

Here are some ideas for a Miami vacation:

Paddle Board (as mentioned, water sport the everything here…)

Hang at the Standard Hotel — great scene, trendy, right on the bay. For other hotel recommendations see my Mondrian South Beach post!

Check out South Beach’s swanky restaurants and vibrant nightlife from Carbone to the W Hotel, to a drink at Feana – there is so much to do! Get sushi at Nobu in the Eden Roc hotel and try some amazing Cuban food.

Don’t miss the sunset on the bay side of SOBE – it’s picture perfect!