Life & Style | Travel

Me, my friends and Miami

You won't know what fun this city is unless you pay a visit. And if there with gal pals, the experience is priceless...

  • By Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Staff Writer
  • Published: 00:00 November 7, 2009
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  • Image Credit: Supplied
  • There are many resorts in Miami to match your budget

Blame it on the chick flick SATC, if you wish. But the idea of a few best friends setting off to a gal-pal holiday held great appeal. But let me warn you, our friendsilicious holiday to Miami was not the product of dramatic events, as was the case with Carrie Bradshaw — who was abandoned at the altar by her boyfriend.

In our case, plans were well orchestrated from the beginning. Miami Fashion Week, a four-day fashion extravaganza held in Miami's arty SOHO studios, brought me from Dubai to the American sunshine destination. It didn't take long for two other friends settled in the US to come up with a mother-of-all-reunions plan. A flight away for both, Miami held the potential to be a girly paradise. For starters, Miami is strapped with sunny beaches, nightclubs, restaurants, fantastic weather, shopping malls, water parks, swanky hotels and a fabulous fashion crowd — need we say more?

Celebrities' favourite

Let us start at the beginning. An enjoyable trip hinges largely on the hotel at which you stay — more so if you are with friends. The Fountainebleu Miami Beach, the spectacular resort overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, is modern and chic. The hotel — once a hotspot for celebrities such as Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley — recently underwent a $1 billion (Dh3.67 billion) makeover. If the glittering chandeliers and the sweeping lobby don't enchant you, the rooms, each with an Apple iMac for each guest, will. Lazing in the pool, sipping mocktails under a blue sky, is a must-do. If you have the luxury of time, be sure to pamper yourself at the 40,000-square-foot Lapis spa.

No gal-pal holiday is complete without navigating the shopping circuit. Needless to say, a good part of our Miami trip was spent mall-hopping. A peek into the official website of Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (www.miamiandbeaches.com) will reveal there are more than two dozen shopping arenas to cater to every budget. If the high-end Bal Harbour Shops on Collins Avenue has some of the most luxurious labels — Roberto Cavalli, Jermes, Escade and Louis Vuitton — the charming stores at CocoWalk on Grand Avenue is a leveller of sorts. With its charming bistros, the CocoWalk has an eclectic mix of stores. Its European-village-like ambience adds to the shopping experience. Meanwhile, Lincoln Road Shopping District is a pedestrian mall and is perfect.

Oceans of fun

Strolling around Oceans Drive is a wonderful experience. With the ocean on one side and Art Deco buildings on the other, this stretch straddles the best of both worlds. Though you may find yourself surrounded by eager salesmen peddling "club and restaurant" offers, it's a not-so-subtle introduction to what awaits you on South Beach. Rows of nightclubs, restaurants, quaint mansions-turned-into-hotels and Gianni Versace's residence greet you. Make sure you visit Casa Versace's palatial mansion and if heading there in the evening, the loud and unapologetically colourful Mango tropical bar is a must-visit.

Agreed Miami Seaquarium is not in the heart of the city but if you have the time, be sure to pay it a visit. Even if you are not a marine maniac, you will find yourself enjoying every bit of the water park.

There are fun interactions with dolphins and also tricks performed by sharks and whales. What's not to love?

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