The next day we get up early for a swim before breakfast. With two great pools from which to choose, we decide on the one just off the lobby. At 8:30 in the morning, most the guests are still asleep, or theyโre having breakfast, so we have the pool all to ourselves. Itโs like having our own private resort and we make the most of it, laughing and relaxing together, trying to decide how we want to spend the afternoon. With Miami Beach as our backyard, we agree that sunning and swimming is the best option. The hotel provides free lounge chairs for their guests, as well as food and beverage service on the beach, so a carefree day is assured.
The clear aqua blue waters are warm and calm today, ensuring a few blissful hours in the ocean. As a couple who love to collect shells and sea glass, we only leave the beach after we have collected more treasures than we can carry.
Afterwards, my partner decides to catch up on some work. With fast, free WiFi available throughout the resort he is able to get everything done in time for afternoon cocktails.
In the meantime, I head for The Spa at The Miami Beach EDITION. There are nine private treatment rooms including a custom Hammam room, and a detox room with a steam shower and far-infrared sauna, a Beauty Lounge for nail, hair and makeup services, spacious locker rooms with a steam room, and a spa shop with great skin products as well as and beach and loungewear. A central relaxation area with custom-designed daybeds is surrounded by drapery and vintage Moroccan rugs. If canโt go a day without working out, the resort also offers a state-of-the-art 24-hour GYM with the latest in strength-training, weight and cardio equipment and rooms for group or personalized trainings sessions.
Today, however, itโs all about being pampered and pummeled, and my Brazilian masseur ensures that my body, mind, and spirit are in perfect sync. The 90-minute Shiatsu massage I choose incorporates a flowing sequence of rhythmic stretching, mobilization, and acupressure to ease muscle pain and restore natural energy balance. This, combined with soothing light jazz and the soft sound of my masseurโs voice as he tells me about the wonderful places I should visit in Brazil, is all I need to reach nirvana.
With his work done and my body treatment complete, my partner and I meet in the Matador Bar which features American black walnut-paneled walls with photographs from renowned French photographer Lucien Clergueโs Matador series. The photos are stunning and sensual, providing creative inspiration and a great backdrop for snapsots.
One of the most important aspects of a great resort is their ability to tantalize all of the senses. Taking our drinks outside to enjoy on the Matador Terrace, the wonderful lounge music has us pushing the Shazam button on our Smartphones; the cool, tropical drinks satisfy our taste buds; the ocean breezes caress our skin; the smell of the sea invigorates us; and the sight of handsome men coming back from the beach, illuminated by the early evening sun, is a sight to behold.
That night we grab a taxi and make our way to Lincoln Road, a great pedestrian-only street that offers a variety of wonderful shops, restaurants, galleries, and some of the best people watching in Miami Beach. Itโs only about a 10-minute ride from the hotel, so itโs very convenient an accessible. Our first stop is Britto Central (818 Lincoln Road. Tel: 305-531-8821. www.britto.com) where we peruse the colorful and whimsical art of one of South Floridaโs most well-known artists, Romero Britto.
After adding a few paintings to our wish list, itโs on to dinner at Juvia (1111 Lincoln Road. Tel: 305-763-8272. www.juviamiami.com), a popular restaurant in Miami Beach that features French, Japanese, and Peruvian cooking styles and incredible views. This is a great place for a special occasion or a romantic evening for two. Ask for a table on the terrace and let the magic begin.
If you like to dancing, bowling, or ice skating, head for Basement at The Miami Beach Edition where the festivities begin around 11 PM and last until the early morning. There are different parties catering to a variety of tastes each week. Whether you enjoy Funk, R&B, Pop, or one-off parties featuring some of the hottest DJโs in the World (Horse Meat Disco anyone?) this is one of those only in Miami nightlife experiences.
With so much to see and do, itโs great to know you can sleep at late as you want and still have access to anything you need. Whether you desire a late night snack or an early afternoon breakfast, a favorite haunt for locals and hotel guests alike, Jean-Georges Vongerichtenโs Market at The Miami Beach EDITION is an imaginative reinvention of the classic Miami Beach coffee shop. Inspired by the great century-old markets in Madrid and Barcelona, this 21st century food bazaar, part patisserie, part boulangerie, part salumeria, provides casual gourmet food around the clock. Market is ideal for a quick gourmet grab and go, a bite to take to the beach, or a place to relax and dine. Market features a series of bustling counters, an open-air cafรฉ overlooking Collins Avenue, and a take-out area with an enticing range of healthy international items, gourmet pizzas, ceviche, raw bar, cheese and charcuterie, sandwiches, juices, smoothies, and a wide selection of wines. It is a place that can be your first stop of the day, and your last stop of the night.
We had breakfast here everyday, marveling at the mix of couples, families, and groups of friends who chose to make The Miami Beach EDITION their home away from home. Itโs a wonderful addition to this ever-evolving, premier urban beach destination for people in the USA and from around the world.
