
Greater Miami & Miami Beach is synonymous with luxury. Whether you want to board a sleek yacht to cut through South Beach's aquamarine waters or hop on a helicopter to hover above Downtown Miami's glittering skyline, this destination has you covered. Or maybe you want to dine at restaurants that showcase over-the-top meals, indulge in spas with royal treatments or shop the world's most coveted fashion labels and brands. There are so many ways to experience the high life.
Feast on delicacies at Gianni's, found inside the former Versace mansion
Over-the-Top Dining Experiences
Gianni's
It doesn't get any more glamorous than dining at Gianni's, an Italian-Mediterranean restaurant on Ocean Drive in South Beach tucked inside the former Versace mansion, which has been converted into the luxury Villa Casa Casuarina boutique hotel. Choose between sitting inside the storied dining room or dining under the stars by the famous mosaic pool, which includes 24-karat gold tiles. Start with caviar and Champagne then move on to delicacies such as chilled stone crab or a seafood plate and devour a T-bone porterhouse or Australian lamb chops.
NAOE
For an unforgettable omakase sushi experience, make reservations at the intimate NAOE, which offers two nightly seatings. The tiny eight-seat restaurant on Brickell Key offers a chef's choice menu (no, you can't find a menu on their website), and guests are spoiled with a 13-course meal of boldly flavored cooked and raw dishes that goes way beyond typical sushi. The leisurely three-hour experience features the freshest (and rarest) seafood in town.
Dine under sea-inspired sculptures at Sexy Fish
Sexy Fish
Sexy Fish, an outpost of the popular London restaurant, also boasts maximum decadence in Brickell. With eye-popping décor that features sea-inspired artwork by Damien Hirst and a fish-lamp installation by Frank Gehry (and even bathrooms that are photo-worthy), Sexy Fish offers an extensive and impressive Champagne menu. Try swanky dishes such as beef tartare with truffles, Wagyu nigiri with foie gras and peaches, the signature duck salad and lots of bubbly.
Explore contemporary Japanese at Zuma
Zuma
There's a reason celebs and A-listers hold court at Zuma, a longtime Brickell favorite. The contemporary Japanese restaurant presents flavor-packed dishes that come from its main kitchen, sushi counter and robata grill. To get a taste of it all, don't miss the Asian-inspired weekend brunch. Plus, the views overlooking the Miami River look like a million bucks.
Elcielo
Embark on a culinary journey in Brickell at Elcielo, where the dishes look as creative as they taste. With roots in Colombian cuisine, the restaurant showcases a menu that's full of gastronomic fireworks. Each palate-pleasing dish is comprised of interesting flavors, textures and ingredients that come together for a plate of edible art.
Indulge at Acqualina Resort & Residences on the Beach
Pampering Spa Experiences
Acqualina Spa
At the lavish Acqualina Spa at the Acqualina Resort & Residences on the Beach in Sunny Isles Beach, you'll find opulence in a tranquil setting with extravagant treatments. While guests can enjoy the spa's crystal steam room and private pool, for extreme luxury, you'll want to escalate your spa day in the elaborate Royal Spa Suite. The private suite showcases designer furniture from Fendi Casa and a crystal chandelier. Hide away in the oceanfront treatment room, which has a mother-of-pearl steam room and private wraparound balcony that overlooks the ocean. Book a two-hour treatment to sip Champagne and savor lunch and sweet post-treatment treats.
Try the hydrotherapy options at Lapis Spa
Lapis Spa
Between massage-jet showers, mineral pools and eucalyptus steam baths, you'll feel like a movie star at Lapis Spa at the iconic Fontainebleau Miami Beach hotel in Miami Beach's Mid Beach area. The posh spa offers an extraordinary water-therapy retreat along with private suites for couples who desire a secluded treatment. Tuck away in the Indigo or Azure spa suites for a soak in a tub, lengthy custom massages and pampering foot and scalp treatments.
Relax on the marble hammam at Tierra Santa Healing House
Tierra Santa Healing House
At the colorful, South American-inspired Tierra Santa Healing House, which extends over an entire floor of the Faena Hotel Miami Beach, guests are treated to a luxurious journey. Start in the hammam to relax on heated stone benches. Then move to the wet spa to lather on mud or a scrub. Finally, cool down in the ice parlor. The spa menu spotlights one-of-a-kind treatments, ranging from anti-aging facials to elaborate massages that involve hot stones and sound therapy.
Shop luxury brands at Bal Harbour Shops
Go On a Luxury Shopping Spree
Bal Harbour Shops
A prime spot to shop high-end brands is the lush, open-air Bal Harbour Shops in ritzy Bal Harbour. Join the parade of well-dressed shoppers to explore a collection of exquisite goods in a tropical setting. Find well-known luxury department stores, like Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue, along with shops such as Chanel, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Aquazurra and Balmain. You'll find on-trend labels like Golden Goose and Etro, too. When you're done lighting up your credit card, enjoy a stylish meal at Makoto or longtime staple Carpaccio.
Explore the luxury brands in the Miami Design District
Miami Design District
It doesn't get more luxe than shopping in the Miami Design District, which is rich in famous fashion houses. In fact, the fashion-forward neighborhood touts approximately 120 flagship stores with coveted names such as Alexander McQueen, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Dior, Cartier, Chanel and many more. Fashion even extends to food and drink options, with showstopping spots like the Baccarat Boutique B Bar & Lounge, where you can buy the same crystal that you're drinking or eating from, and trendy cafes such as the Dior Café, where you'll sip coffee on an elegant rooftop terrace.
