Last weekend, we headed down to sunny Miami for a mini vacay. We had the chance to switch it up and stay at Fontainebleau which was originally named after a place in France. Opened in 1954, it was considered one of the most luxurious hotels on Miami Beach. With multiple restaurants, a good selection of shops and the designer’s signature bow-ties, there’s no wonder why we loved it’s design. Too bad the service was terrible. (I had to be real for a minute!)

The room was cute and perfect for bloggers and business folk having a MAC computer in each room with a selection of complimentary websites.

We quickly unpacked and hit the pool which is ten steps away from the ocean.

Every time we go to miami, we do a bit of research and try to hit up a few new bars or local spots but we ALWAYS end up at our fave dive bars Club Deuce and Automatic Slims! LOL

We did however, go to some really great places for dinner and drinks, which I’ve listed below:

Night 1:

STK

Coco and I went to the STK in New York and although the wait was way longer in Miami, the food was great. Just be prepared to get tipsy at the bar like we did, after waiting an additional 1.5 hours after our scheduled reservation time. People just don’t want to leave!

LOUIS

Also located in the Gansevoort, Louis is the sexiest spot in town. The workers outfits are awesome, the decor is detailed and the choice of art is….suggestive. To see the XXX rated art, CLICK HERE.

Night 2:

PHILIPPE CHOW

Mr. Phillipe Chow worked for Mr. Chow for 25 years before opening his own chain of fine chinese cuisine eateries. The experience is refreshing from the bussers wearing red Chuckie T’s to the sparkler session around midnight! They even have artist, Romero Britto on the walls which is a great touch. At the end of your meal, they hand you chocolate fortune cookies that say things like:

“A transvestite is a man who likes to eat, drink and be Mary”

“Women might be able to fake orgasms. But men can fake whole relationships”

ROKBAR

Always a great time, Rokbar is our go-to for unpretentious dancing fun. The DJ mixes it up, the people actually dance and the go-go dancers outfits are to die for!!

Although two days was a little short for a full Miami experience, the change of scenery was refreshing. Miami is a great getaway for so many reasons. The nightlife is great, the hotels are all unique, there’s culture and music and the ocean is always within walking distance!

Check out our photo gallery to see all the pics!

PAST MIAMI POSTS:

Coco’s last trip to Miami

Coco & Lowe Mondrian Experience

Adventures of Coco & Lowe – Miami

xoxo,

Lowe

I was in Miami last weekend.  Here are some random shots

Pizza spot in an abandoned gas station

Midnight Mojitos @ Phillipe!

lobby bar @ fountainebleau

rok bar

bayfront park

the W

The Epic

The Standard

Sunday night dress up BINGO in the lobby of The Standard... Classic!

Miami I miss you already.  See you again soon!

xoxo,

coco

When I think of Miami I think of sunshine, beaches, party time, beautiful people and Remero Britto.  Last year when Mimi, Kiki, Lowe and I went down looking for buyers for Brazen, we were walking on Lincoln and were drawn into this beautiful gallery that was displaying all of this magical artwork that we had seen all over Miami since we had been there.  The gallery was famed pop artist Romero Britto’s.  We instantly fell for his colourful, oversized, jovial pieces.  His art makes you happy just like the sun. 

Now the world’s most famous Pop Artist, having been compared to legends like Andy Warhol and Keith Haring, Britto’s humble beginnings as a child of 8 living in Brazil may be a distant memory, but a memory that has made all of this possible.  Britto’s insistence on the accessibility of art has made him an artistic activist stating that ‘art is too important not to share.’  Although not everyone can have the pleasure of owning a Britto original, the fact that his art is displayed in public spaces all over Miami bears truth to his beliefs.

“For me, art can reflect the celebration of the simple and the good things in life.  This is most important to me!”  Romero Britto

 

For more info check out his site:

http://www.britto.com/ 

xoxo,

coco

Last week, as you all know, we were invited down to Miami to check out The Mondrian South Beach.  We arrived sleepy and grumpy, just wanting to drop our bags and chill.  When we walked into the lobby all the grumpiness was washed away by the pristine heavenly whiteness of the lobby.  We were in awe of the fresh open feeling and instantly we were ready to see more.  The lovely woman at the check in desk was ever so kind to offer us a free upgrade to a one bedroom suite and with our keys and access cards, we were whisked upstairs in no time.  

The Check In Desk

Asia De Cuba

The Concierge Desk, where our favorite conci in the whole world works!

The bedroom part of our suite

Our room was huge and had a full kitchen, balcony and even a pullout couch in the living room, perfect for sleepovers! *wink* lol  

The hotel is located on the Bayside of West Avenue on Biscayne Bay.  When I’m in visiting South Beach I usually stay right on the beach at The Setai or The Shore Club or when I want to get away from the crazy party that is SoBe I stay downtown Miami at The Four Seasons.  Because The Mondrian is located on the bayside you get the best of both worlds.  You are on the water and can utilize the numerous water sport activities provided by the hotel, you’re a short walk from the craziness of Ocean Drive, yet you are just far enough removed that you feel like you’re on a secluded island oasis.  

Our favorite part of the Mondrian (aside from the kick ass service) was the outdoor space, namely the pool.  Done in the style that can be found in most of The Morgans Group Hotels, there is an oversized fairy tale feel about it.  Huge lamps, cabanas covered in green ivy like astroturf, Moroccan style rugs and throw pillow lounge areas, massive sandboxes and plunge pools all surrounding a huge pool that is always the right temperature to escape the Miami heat. 

If you plan on going to Miami anytime soon coco & lowe highly endorse The Mondrian.  The rooms are great, service is amazing and the amenities are on point.  Plus by staying at the Mondrian you gain access to the beach at their sister hotel (and SoBe institution) The Delano!  The only thing I would warn you on is that the food that you can order poolside or for room service is incredibly expensive as there is a really high service charge included.  I ordered an espresso to the room one night and it came to $14.00!  Luckily there is a Whole Foods, Starbucks and a ton of other little local restaurants and shops to get food and drinks right across the street.

But please make sure to try one of these:

worth every penny!

Our other favorite part about the Mondrian -as I said before- is the service.  They have by far THE coolest and BEST concierge in the world!!  He made us laugh and hooked us up the whole time!  We love him!  Here is a little video he did for us.

Our favorite Conci! from coco lowe on Vimeo.

Check out the Mondrian South Beach online here:

www.mondriansouthbeach.com/

xoxo,

coco

As you know we were in Miami for the past couple of days.  Here’s some rando footage of our trip.  Stay tuned for more pics and a review of The Mondrian.

Miami 1 from coco lowe on Vimeo.

Miami, poolside at the Mondrian from coco lowe on Vimeo.

Miami @ Oliver’s from coco lowe on Vimeo.

Miami: Ocean Drive from coco lowe on Vimeo.

Miami: The Last Meal from coco lowe on Vimeo.

xoxo,

coco

YaY!  Lowe and I have been invited to review the hotel and condos at The Mondrian in Miami!!  Designed by the amazing Marcel Wenders the hotel looks stunning and we can’t wait to go!

Last time we were all in Miami we had the time of our lives!!! We experienced everything South Beach had to offer, from the hottest clubs to the dirtiest dives, from Prime One Twelve, to gangster shawarma shacks.  

@ Mansion

Lowe's fave.. Cigars.. :l

w Keef Richards (Keef, not Keith)

mellow yellow @ the conrad

mimi on the drums @ rok bar

leisurely stroll on Lincoln

ahhhhhh

Dearest Miami,

We miss you!  See you in two weeks!

xoxo,

coco & lowe

p.s. anywhere you’ve been in Miami lately that we shouldn’t miss?

This time of year inevitably reminds me of SPRING BREAK!!! WOOP WOOP! (motions to lift top)

Ah Spring break! What a concept: Go away and de-stress from school by drinking yourself into oblivion. Back in University my girls and I picked a broke and boujee friendly, South Beach, Miami.

My girlies and I on the beach Circa 2003

Miami is one of those places that can be amazing with or without a big budget. There is always something to do because even doing nothing is considered doing something.  I find South Beach is already such a social place but during events, long weekends or busy seasons, it’s friendly attitude is extreme. All you have to do to get going is drop off your bags and hit a patio on Ocean Drive. I love News Café. Its smack dab in the middle of the action and the ravioli with rose sauce is scrumptious.

The crew at News Cafe with Taz and Frank.

Back on the beach

Being the young, alcohol hungry college student that I was, my go-to spot on the Ocean Drive strip was for sure Wet Willies. Don’t expect top-notch decor or a great crowd, but its one of those hole-in-the-wall joints and their drinks are unimaginably strong; Fittingly called Superman, High Octane and my personal fave, Call-A-Cab. They are already premixed and come out of the wall like a Slurpee. Classy, I know. LOL!

Wet Willie's

The girls and I at Wet Willies

I have been back to Miami several times since my Spring break days and have found that although I am no longer a college student searching for alcohol, Miami still has tons to offer. Who Knew?!

These days I prefer to lazily stroll around Lincoln Rd. This is a great area of South Beach because there are tons of cute little shops and restaurants to explore. It’s always busy and great for an afternoon of people watching, plus I love that it is pedestrian only. My 25th birthday dinner was actually held at Sushi Samba on Lincoln Rd. Have the Sea bass, it melts in your mouth.

The last time I was in town my girls and I stayed at The Shore Club. I literally had no desire to leave the hotel grounds! It was so beautiful and relaxing. The Shore Club pool lounge/beach areas are the hangout spots for all the celebs during the day and I can totally understand why. It’s so easy to get lost in those big comfy chairs by even just reading magazines, chatting with your neighbors and ordering drinks. Dangerous.

So comfy!

The Shore Club Pool

As for the nightlife, I don’t even know where to begin! The great thing about South Beach is that you don’t need to know anyone before you go there because in all likelihood, you’ll meet someone who will show you what’s up. I do recommend you start with drinks at The Delano. The Delano is a stunning Art Deco Boutique hotel that is not to be missed. There are several different bars to explore in this one venue and you could very well end up staying there the whole night without a second thought.

Delano-Pool looking towards back of hotel

Karaoke Delano Style!

All in all, South Beach is a very young and vibrant city. Whether you’re looking to party it up or catch up on some much-needed R&R, this is the spot to be.

I leave you with a pic of Ocean Drive at night:

For more info, hit me up HERE or visit www.miami.com

xoxo,

Rachie Babie