South Beach Nightlife

South Beach is famed for its excess, lifestyle and its luxury hotels.  Today we will explore and compare the luxurious Gansevoort South Beach with the (equally?) exotic Shoreclub South Beach. 

Both luxury South Beach hotels are oceanfront.  Both are considered upscale, decadent and indulgent.  You can enjoy a delicious upscale culinary adventure at both.  The differences will lie in the types of cuisine, the vibe of the bar areas, the spa, amenities and of course, the accommodations.  So let’s compare.

With the big game just 3 weeks out, Miami and all of South Florida has been busily preparing itself for the onslaught of football fans, visitors and excitement.  Here are some of the ways Miami is prepping for Super Bowl XLIV:

•    Hotels altering arrangements
•    Restaurants creating special menus
•    Clubs booking high-profile entertainment
•    Exotic rental cars booking up
•    Boutiques and shopping options stepping it up

Looking for a luxurious and celeb-laced party to bring in 2010?  The W Hotel South Beach will be host to a performance by Kid Cudi with a musical interlude by John Legend.  This is where some of South Beach’s savviest partygoers will be spending the New Year.

An exclusive selection of art from more than 250 leading galleries from the U.S Canada, Europe, Latin America and Asia will be available for indulgence right here in South Beach!  Art Basel Miami Beach 2009 will be holding its grand opening on Wednesday, December 2nd from 7pm-12am, and the display will continue Sunday December 3-6 from 9am-12am.

South Beach is located in Miami, Florida and is known for its blue and green marbled Caribbean waters and synonymously for its plethora of luxuries.  South Beach is one of the world’s best beaches, a seaside sin city boasting exotic rental cars, outrageous entertainment options, lavish hotels and international dining like no place else.

1. THE SETAI
2001 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139

The Setai is a quaint oceanfront hotel at the crux of South Beach. This is a  fabulous hotel because the rooms are infused with natural materials, space and light, offering a truly  Zen appeal. The Spa is pretty standard as far as 5 Star hotels go- over the top and gratefully, overly attentive. Each spa suite has an oceanfront view, a private bath and steam room so two people can enjoy "special" treatments in tandem, very sensual.

South Beach nightlife is searing, in this see and be seen city, there are many luxuries on your priority list, and just near the top is an exotic rental car Miami style-to compliment your fast-paced South Beach vacation-we assume you are living large in this luxury city during your stay!

If you can handle it, you can get down until the Florida sun comes up in the spacious and pulsating posh night clubs that line the manicured streets of South Beach.  Remember, first impressions are everything, and you can make yours in a luxury rental car South Beach style, turning heads and making an initial impact that will make you hotter than the sultry weather! 

There is nothing that quite compares to the scene outside of a swanky nightclub-the velvet ropes and well-dressed people waiting to get inside, and the valet lineup of exotic cars such as Aston Martins, Lamborghinis, Maserattis, Cadillac Escalade rentals, Ferraris and more heat up the scene before you step onto it.

Once inside, the lounges are glamorous and appealing, with socialites, international hipsters and celebs milling about.  South Beach nightclub hotspots not to miss are Louis, Set, Rok Bar, Mynt, and the Wall at The W Hotel-which is South Beach’s latest high-end entertainment lounge. 

These are some of the finest nightclubs, and best options for average Joe’s to potentially brush elbows with the rich and famous, drinking in the South Beach vibes.  With all the abandon available in Florida’s sin city, start booking your stay by arranging for a luxury rental car Miami style-and start planning your impression-can you take the wheel?

Post by Imagine Lifestyles Luxury Rentals

South Beach is an oceanside playground for celebrities, and an invigorating mix of international locals and travelers.  Chic and sophisticated, the city by the sea is also home to some of the world’s best hotels.  South Beach truly has it all-the best beaches, shopping, fashion, upscale dining, lavish entertainment options, exotic rental cars, nightclubs, and of course, luxury hotels with the best in amenities and concierge service.

We at Imagine Lifestyles are a source of all that is South Florida luxury, most especially South Beach, and for that reason we often compile helpful lists of our top favorite things.  Following are our top picks for the best luxury hotels in South Beach:

•    The W Hotel
•    Setai
•    The Ritz-Carlton
•    Hilton Bentley Miami/South Beach
•    Shore Club

The W Hotel-Residences, Hotel and Lounge.  The W Hotel encompasses all that is South Beach, and then gives you a little more.  The W Hotel is a beachfront Oasis, complete with a private beach area, residences, impeccable cuisine, a spa, refreshing pool and a posh nightclub called The Wall.  The W Hotel features 312 rooms and bungalows with striking views of the marbled Atlantic with its signature W beds.  Located amid the heart of Miami’s hottest nightlife spots, it is also a convenient place to position yourself for your South Beach stay.

The Setai.  The perfect oceanfront setting, The Setai is a private, posh and signature hotel, condominium and resort featuring tropical gardens, glittering pools and amazing rooms.  The soft Asian traditional appeal throughout is relaxing and elegant. This luxury South Beach hotel truly sets the tone for all that is Miami’s seaside excellence, in proximity to the upscale dining, nightclubs and of course shopping!  The Setai features a world-class spa and health club, high-end restaurant and bar.  It makes our list because it is a 5-star jewel of a hotel destination.

The Ritz-Carlton.  The Ritz-Carlton’s reputation often precedes it, yet in South Beach they truly continue their tradition of pulling out all stops.  An unforgettable escape, this decadent luxury hotel offers all amenities that one expects, with an extraordinary 16,000 foot spa, 375 guest rooms including two poolside lanai wings, delectable restaurant, elegant bar and a 20,000 square foot compilation of meeting and conference space.  Steps from Lincoln Road, a 10-block stretch of the best nightlife, shopping and dining, The Ritz-Carlton is in the center of South Beach hotspots.

Hilton-Bentley Miami/South Beach.  In the world of luxury hotels, Hilton is on top.  One of the finest South Beach upscale hotels is Hilton’s Bentley Beach.  This amazing hotel features a prime seaside location and a luxurious array of amenities including elegantly furnished suites, European kitchens, views of the ocean and city skyline, terraces, plasma TVs, lavish and large marble bathrooms, upscale dining, fitness areas, pool, and complete concierge service of course.  The Hilton makes our list of top 5 luxury hotels in South Beach for its attention to detail, and impeccable service standards, all in proximity to all of the city’s hotspots.

Shore Club.  Last but certainly not least on our top five list is Shore Club.  This elegant South Beach hotel was designed by famed British architect David Chipperfield, complete with a landmarked Art Deco lobby and labyrinth of gardens.  Radiant with charisma, this hotel is also home to Sky bar and popular upscale restaurant Nobu.  You will find all luxury amenities at Shore Club, as well as an eclectic and provocative mix of international marketplaces in its décor.  But don’t take our word for it!  Super Bowl XLIV is fast approaching in terms of reservations, and we have just handed you five of the best ideas for Miami Super Bowl Accomodations.  You are thinking now, so don’t overlook the need for a hot set of wheels to burn up the city streets, a luxury rental car Miami style is a must to match your breathtaking luxury vacation! 
       

Post by Imagine Lifestyles Luxury Rentals
 
 

The 2010 Pro Bowl and then, Super Bowl XLIV seem forever away but now is the time to  book you stay! The NFL has once again been awarded the 2010 Super Bowl to Miami, Florida because, honestly, why not?  It will be the record breaking tenth time Miami is hosting the mega-melee. Making Miami the only place to be next January/February. Best book your accommodations and reservations now because the beach is booking fast.

The number one place to stay on Miami Beach will be the W Hotel & Residences because it is the newest construction on the beach; not to mention, has Mr. Chow's restaurant, the Living Room beach club and Bliss Spa. The luxurious Setai Hotel & Residences, next door, will book just as fast. Or opt to stay a few minutes off the beach in a luxury building like the Icon, resort amenities sans the hotel part.  There aren't very many luxury buildings on MIami Beach that can offer it all, here are three and if you want the best then here you go. Bet on the Super Bowl, not your hotel.

As we previously blogged, Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian are in Miami filming a new reality show "Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami."  The girls have been working hard and playing harder since opening their new store, Dash Miami. Khloe is said to be joining the Y-100 radio station as the host of a talk show. "khloe After Dark" will air Friday late nights, from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m, like anybody will be around to listen. The radio show is apparently still in the works, as the girls were seen out partying at LIV nightclub this past Memorial Day weekend. Wreaking havoc at one of the VIP tables, as cameras were filming; lighting and sound crews engulfed the girls and irked everybody else. Not to mention, Kardashian groupies (mostly men) pushing just to get a closer look. Chill guys, we believe both girls are spoken for.

On Sunday Kourtney and Khloe made a Miami Beach appearance, tanning together with cameras in tote. Then the duo strolled down Lincoln Road dressed to the nines with cameras, again, close behind . Then Khloe updated her Twitter status “Memorial weekend is so insane in Miami!!”  Miami is hot Memorial weekend and we don't mean Paris Hilton, "that's hot." We mean, like 98 degrees with humidity and serious storms every other hour.

Of late there seems to be a wave of young, hot, celebutantes linked with vandalism, trend? Paris Hilton was questioned about a neighbors keyed/egged Bugatti Veyron ; Lindsay Lohan did something involving eggs and the paparazzi; and, now the Kardashian's new Miami "Dash" store has been vandalized! Dash Miami which will sell beach cover-ups, literally, just opened at 815 Washington Avenue on Miami Beach. Kourtney and Kloe Kardashian are in Miami filming there spin-off reality show "Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami", how original. Ms. Kim Kardashian, the more famous one, was only in town for the the Dash launch. And she wasn't happy to find her store-window defaced and graffitied. Perk-up Kim. The media attention is good for business, the Miami Herald just put Dash Miami on the proverbial map.

The reality trio have been seen at LIV nightclub and, basically, all over Miami Beach. We wonder how long Kourtney and Khloe will last in the Miami heat. Somebody smart picked summer in Miami to film because nothing else goes on, absolutely, nothing will steal the spotlight. Good luck with the reality show, hopefully your store remains vandalism-free.  Oh and so you're aware, we will be keeping tabs on you as long as you're in Miami! Thanks

Next Saturday, May 9th the popular Vivid Video Girls will host an X-rated bash at Karu and Y, in downtown Miami.  Hanna Hilton, Nikki Jayne, Meggan Mallone and Savanna Samson will be celebrating Vivid's 25th anniversary. The party will be going on at the same time as Exxxotica Miami Beach. Exxxotica is the three day annual exotic expo, the largest "adult" event on the East Coast. South Beach is going to get wild next week, more topless girls then usual next week!

In the summer Miami gets really, really hot. What could be better then the coolest watering hole on the beach? We think nothing. This summer you need to check out the Setai Hotel's happy hour. Keep cool mingling in the lobby bar and lounge with sexy Miamians. Stay cool and zen all summer long at the Setai Hotel & Residencies, on Collins.

"Dreaded by universities, praised by students--it's the most notorious ranking in education: Playboy's Top Party Schools."  And the University of Miami was just ranked numero uno, muy caliente! The U had the highest Bikini index score, that is hot. The student body tans around the campus lake in between classes and beautiful girls show up to class bikini clad with books in hand. Frat parties get overshadowed by the South Beach party scene, where some clubs and bars stay open 24 hours a day. Playboy's criteria includes campus life, sports, sex, academics, and “bikini, which combines weather, male-to-female ratio and cheerleaders." On a scale of 100, Miami defeated the University of Texas at Austin by 10 points. Sunshine U is the only private school to make the top 10 and while it's no Ivy League, students can get a top-grade education while maintaining the party. Other colleges come to Miami for spring break, is that clear enough? In celebration of the number one ranking, Playboy hosted a party Thursday April 30th at Mr. Moe's in Coconut Grove. The party which is five minutes from campus featured Miss May 2009, Crystal McCahill, and hip hop artist Kenan Bell. University of Miami president Donna Shalala is probably loving this, psych.

Bella Rose continues to draw in big names. Saturday nights have become just as big as Bella's Black Sunday soiree. This past weekend's Saturday Bella Donna Party attracted designer and celebutante Richie Rich, “PR King” Paul Wilmot, famed fashion photographer Pablo Alfaro and NYC 'It Boy" turned Miami restaurateur Fabian Basabe. Plus, season 5 Top Chef competitor and Miami local Jeff McInnis. Jeff posed for a picture with us, while Basabe talked up his restaurant Da Vittorio, in Coral Gables. Bella Donna is on the up and up thanks in part to DJ Troy Kurtz. Kurtz is an unknown who is fueling Saturday nights, by day he is a student at the University of Miami. Kurtz has big talent and is going to explode on the Miami DJ-ing scene, mark our words. Props to Keith Paciello (younger brother of Chris Paciello) and Alfred Spellman (co-producer of Cocaine Cowboys) for bringing in the young talent.