Miami, Florida - W South Beach & SLS LUX Brickell

The Review

Miami was four days tagged onto the end of our annual Florida convention and it was one of those trips where you arrive thinking it's a bonus and leave wishing you'd booked a week. I am already planning to go back and stay longer.

We stayed across two very different hotels in two very different parts of the city - W South Beach and SLS LUX Brickell - and the contrast between them tells you everything you need to know about Miami itself.

 

W South Beach - Where Miami Dreams Are Made

The W South Beach was an absolute vibe from the moment we arrived. The welcome alone set the tone - champagne and chocolates waiting in the room, a gorgeous balcony looking out over South Beach and one of the most stunning sunrises I have ever watched from that balcony on our first morning.

The rooms are incredible. Spacious, beautifully designed and dripping in that South Beach glamour that makes you feel like you're living in a music video. The pool area matched the energy of the hotel perfectly - cool, atmospheric, the kind of pool you actually want to spend time at rather than just dip in and out of. The fruit platters and breakfast were gorgeous too - everything about the W felt considered and special.

But honestly the location is what makes it. The beach is literally on your doorstep. We walked along the sand to Ocean Grill at The Setai for dinner one evening - incredible food, incredible atmosphere, one of those meals you talk about for months afterwards. We spent a day out on a boat seeing Miami from the water which was the highlight of the entire trip. And we ended up on Ocean Drive for cocktails, bar crawling, watching people cycle up and down the beach as the evening light faded. That is the South Beach experience and the W puts you right in the middle of it.

 

SLS LUX Brickell - Honest Review

I want to be straight with you about this one because I think honesty is more useful than glossing over things.

The rooms were genuinely impressive - we'd been upgraded to what felt like three bedroom apartments, enormous and beautifully appointed. Under normal circumstances this would have been a stunning stay.

But the pool had been taped off for maintenance the entire time we were there. For a one night stay that was a real disappointment - the pool is a significant part of what you're paying for. We were offered access to a neighbouring hotel's pool but it was a much lower grade property and not what we'd paid for. That was frustrating.

And then a hurricane hit.

The weather was severe, the hotel alarm went off and the whole experience became fairly stressful. None of that is the hotel's fault - August is peak hurricane season in Miami and that is genuinely important to know before you book. But combined with the pool situation it meant our one night at the SLS was not what we'd hoped for.

What I will say in its favour - the location in Brickell is excellent. Close to the airport, brilliant for the downtown Brickell shops and restaurants and a completely different energy to South Beach. More grown up, more city, less beach. If you want to experience both sides of Miami - and I'd recommend you do - splitting your stay between South Beach and Brickell is a great way to do it.

 

Miami Itself

I absolutely loved Miami and we simply weren't there long enough. The boat day was my highlight - seeing the city from the water, taking in the skyline, just being with the girls in the sunshine. It is the best way to experience Miami for the first time and I would recommend it to anyone.

Ocean Drive in the evening is a must - the Art Deco architecture, the buzz, the people watching, the energy. There is nowhere quite like it. The food scene is exceptional - from beachfront restaurants to the incredible dining in Brickell, every meal we had was memorable.

There is so much more I want to do on my next visit - Wynwood and its famous street art murals, Little Havana for Cuban food and culture, the Design District. Miami keeps revealing new layers and four days barely scratches the surface.

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When to Go - The Honest Truth

We went in August and we experienced hurricane weather. It was either extremely hot and humid or torrential rain and strong winds. August sits in peak hurricane season and Miami can see 17-19 rainy days per month during this period with temperatures hitting 89°F.

The best time to visit Miami is between March and May when you get daily temperatures in the 70s, lower crowds than peak winter and some of the best hotel rates of the year. December through April is the dry season with minimal rain, making it ideal for beach days, outdoor dining and exploring the city.

If budget is your priority, August and September do offer lower hotel rates and Miami Spice runs August through September when top restaurants offer three course menus at significantly reduced prices which is worth knowing. But go in with your eyes open about the weather.

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South Beach vs Brickell - Which Is Right for You?

They are genuinely two different destinations within the same city.

South Beach is the Miami of your imagination - the beach, the Art Deco, Ocean Drive, the nightlife, the energy. It is vibrant, fun and endlessly entertaining. The W South Beach puts you right at the heart of all of it.

Brickell is the sleek, modern financial district side of Miami - upscale restaurants, rooftop bars, a more city feel. Great for exploring downtown and easy for the airport.

My honest recommendation is to do both if you have more than three nights. They complement each other perfectly and together they give you the full picture of what Miami actually is.

 

Who Is Miami For?

We went as a girls trip and it was perfect for that. But I would go back with my family in a heartbeat and I think Miami works brilliantly for couples too. It is a city with so many different layers - beach, culture, food, nightlife, art, water sports - that almost anyone can find their version of it.

The one thing I would say is come with enough time to actually explore it. Three or four nights feels like you're just getting started. A week would be closer to doing it justice.

 

The Other Guests

One of the things that surprised us most was discovering just how passionate Disney cruisers are. Walking down the corridors you'd see cabin doors decorated with magnets - family name plaques and little symbols showing which Disney cruises they'd been on. Some doors had dozens of them. We had no idea this was a whole community, a whole culture. People who cruise with Disney once almost always come back. Now we understand why completely.

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Who Is This Perfect For?

Everyone. And I mean that genuinely.

On our sailing there were older couples, honeymooners, families with children of all ages and avid Disney fans who had been on dozens of these cruises. The ship caters for every single one of them brilliantly.

For families specifically, I'd say children from about 4 upwards get the absolute maximum out of it. My 8 year old was in his element from day one. My 3 year old had a wonderful time but needed us a bit more.​

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Would I Go Back?

Absolutely and immediately. Miami got under my skin in the best possible way and I am already planning a longer trip to explore everything we missed.

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​Love the sound of Miami? This is exactly the kind of trip I get to research, recommend and experience as part of what I do. If you're curious about how that works, get in touch.