The Palms Hotel & Spa in Miami

 

Recently, I had the chance to visit Miami for the first time. I hadn’t been to Florida in ages, and Boston had been really dragging out that cold, rainy spring season, so I jumped at the chance to visit the Sunshine State. A bit apprehensive about  South Beach, I was very excited to be staying a little further up on Miami Beach. Mostly, I was just concerned that the South Beach scene might be too much to handle, but Miami Beach was the perfect combination of serene beaches and bustling city. Quite frankly, I did not expect to enjoy Miami as much as I did!

 

 

Flying into Ft. Lauderdale is a great option, since it’s much less expensive than flying into Miami directly. The drive from Ft. Lauderdale was only about 35-40 minutes, so no complaints there! Overall, a two and a half hour flight from Boston is not a bad option for a tropical long weekend getaway.

 

 

^^This swimsuit was my favorite of the weekend. For only $27 (both pieces together) on Amazon, the fit is unreal and the quality is much better than I expected.

 

 

I immediately fell in love with The Palms upon arrival. The lush greenery and plentiful florals truly brought out a sense of paradise.  Bougainvillea all around, tiki huts to provide shelter from the scorching sun and plenty of chilled coconut water were all the makings of a tropical oasis. When researching potential lodging options, I knew The Palms would be a perfect fit for us. The Palms, along with Circa 39 across the street, are owned by a German family that saw a hole in the Miami Beach hotel market. While Circa 39 is a true small scale boutique hotel, The Palms is a bigger hotel, yet it still retains a good mix of that small boutique feel while also having a big resort vibe. Being located in the sophisticated Miami Beach area, and away from South Beach, the property lets you feel like you’ve escaped all the craziness outside its walls. Yet, you are reassured knowing the best restaurants and shopping are just around the corner.

 

 

The Palms is also know for its wonderful Aveda spa. On our last day, we checked out of the room and headed straight for the spa. Since our flight wasn’t until late in the evening, we spent the day getting pampered: massages, steam rooms, hydration and relaxation. Truly heaven. I can’t wait to go back and book my next spa day.

 

 

There was a wedding happening during our stay, and the gazebo and bougainvillea made for the most gorgeous backdrop. Of course, I was drawn to the flowering vines to begin with, but they truly provided such a breathtaking scene. Mental note taken.

 

 

The daily breakfast may have been one of my favorite parts of the whole trip. In my opinion, breakfast is the best meal of the day, and I did not want to miss a single chance to enjoy the delicious spread – omelettes and fresh fruit every day!

 

 

I grew up swimming in the ocean – it is one of the places I feel most calm. Something about that salty water is just so soothing. Being able to step right onto the beach and into the water was a dream. The water was warm and the waves were big enough for body surfing but definitely not too rough. Just ideal.

 

 

In conclusion, I LOVED Miami! I didn’t necessarily expect to love it as much as I did, but it will most definitely be a return destination for me. One thing is for certain, the trip from Boston is beyond easy, making Miami the most ideal getaway spot for New Englanders who are looking for some warmth but don’t wish to travel far and wide.

 

Have you ever been to Miami? What were your favorite things to do?
xo -L

 

Thank you to The Palms Hotel & Spa for hosting us!