Ultimate Girls Trip Guide to Miami

2020 shut the world down so it’s only right that in 2021 we make up for that lost time! Still being safe of course. When my girls hit me up about a trip to Miami I said yes before I knew any details. Lol I didn’t care the dates, who was going I just knew I was in. I’m a water baby so you can sign me up for the beach any time! 

I’ve been to Miami before but more passing through for flights or to get on a cruise (before COVID) but this was the first time I actually spent time in Miami. After you read this article you’ll understand why I’ve already put Miami on my regular travel list. You can go to this city multiple times and still not touch the surface! 

Before I jump in it was four of us who went and it was a weekend trip from Thursday to Sunday. I think traveling with four is a good number, reservations aren’t hard to get. AND you can still get everyone in one selfie haha! If there’s not a picture did it really even happen?! Lol if you know me you’re probably laughing because I’m the type that’ll do a whole trip and only take a handful of pics. Currently working on this. I’m a sucker for putting down my phone and enjoying the moment. That’s why it’s always good to have one in the group who takes a shot of everything. Shouts out to you Cassie! 

Alright let’s go! Sooooo we were supposed to stay in South Beach but when we pulled up to the hotel it was nothing like the pictures showed it just wasn’t in the condition that we would stay in. We ended up driving about 25 minutes North to Hollywood and found a small hotel directly on the boardwalk. 

Miami Places to Stay 

• Diane Oceanfront Suites – Hollywood, FL – (picture of the balcony) The small hotel in Hollywood was Diane Suites, the building is only 2 stories (total of 24 rooms). All the rooms have the same view of the beach! I’m talking you have a balcony with loungers, can walk down the stairs across the boardwalk and be in the sand! We checked in the spot and the sand was the first thing we went to, then drinks lmao! There’s a bar right next door, Nick’s. If you want a lowkey place to stay, this isn’t it. The boardwalk was busy, and the bar stays open late. We were looking to have fun, so we enjoyed it. 

Our room had a kitchenette area, dining table and there is parking onsite for $30. 

Sam the owner checked us in, he’s a funny Frenchman so we had a great time joking with him and of course trying to haggle a deal. He felt bad about what happened in South Beach so ended up giving us free parking for the night. Doesn’t hurt to ask. I’ve linked the website for this hotel here, check them out! 

• Wynwood Miami – The next two nights we stayed in Wynwood area of Miami. I know we are crazy, we hopped hotels every night we were there. The first night threw us off and everywhere was sold out so we had to get creative! Next trip to Miami I’ll definitely be staying in Wynwood again. It was around everything we wanted to do! 

• Hilton Downtown Miami  – 2^nd night we stayed at the Hilton on Biscayne Blvd. In Miami, there are two streets aside from Ocean Ave. that you should know, Biscayne is one and Collins Ave is the other. This hotel had so much to offer, good size pool, a full restaurant for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, full bar with happy hour. During Happy Hour they had drinks and food on discount! Beef empanadas were on the HH menu the day we were there, but they were sold out! Sooo, if you stay at this spot try them out and let me know how they are! The rooms were nice, and the view was amazing. It overlooked the Bayside area, looking out to the ocean and where the cruise ships docked (at least our room did) and I loved it! I’m a sucker for a good view though. 

• Hampton Inn & Suites Miami Midtown – Our 3^rd and final night we stayed in Wynwood again, literally about a mile or two down the street. I know I keep saying good things about each place, but each of them had some great things to offer. This hotel had so much space, so we were extremely comfortable and able to spread out and just chill at the end of the night/morning. Right now the pool at this hotel is under construction so the neighboring hotel AC Hotel (AC Hotel Miami Midtown) allows guests to come to their rooftop bar and pool. The view was amazing, the drinks were just as good. Check the bar for Felix! He made me a dope Bourbon Smash, but you should know his signature is the Bahama Mama! The bar only stayed open until 9 but it was the perfect time to quit before we got ready to go out for the night. 

Miami Places to Eat  

• Coyo Taco – I kid you not when you’re walking down the street the smell of this place will linger with you! We kept walking and turned around and came back to it. Be mindful that each order of tacos comes with 2. I got the shrimp and the carne asada. The shrimp was my favorite, I loved the flavors. FYI, the shrimp is chilled though, I thought they were warm but it was a pleasant surprise. Also, if you’ve got room for it try the CHURROS! They come in a pack of 4 with two sauces (chocolate and caramel) these were to die for and they came hot off the press! 
• SOS Bar – This place doesn’t have a website and I couldn’t find their Instagram, but I have the name! It’s in the heart of Wynwood and they stay open late. The vibe was cool it was an open roof but they do play a lot of techno music, so that may not be your thing. I’ve got another bartender for you, her name is Ardia. Her drinks were so good! I’m on a sidecar kick and she knew how to make them perfectly. Ask for her when you go!
• Nick’s Bar – Hollywood Beach, Florida – We went to Nick’s the very first night when we stayed in Hollywood. They stay open late and they were right next to Diane Suites. Though it was a beach bar the food was reallllly good! I had the wings and onion rings and even late at night, the quality was still amazing. I’ll be going back next time I’m in Hollywood. This was a local spot as well so that gave it some credibility. 
• Mojito Bar – Bayside Miami This bar is in Bayside by the docks where the celebrity tour cruises dock at. Now let me warn you the drinks are high for a medium Mojito it was $25, half of that was gratuity which is annoying. BUT the drink was good, it was one of those sneakers, I got strawberry and mango and had to hold myself back from chugging it haha. We were also allowed to take it on the cruise we took which was a plus for us since we had an hour to wait. 

General Tips for Miami 

Below are some general tips for Miami. 

• South Beach – Honestly, if you don’t plan on being on the beach the majority of the time you’re down there I wouldn’t stay in South Beach. Our experience is that everything was overpriced and not up to the quality you’d want from a cleanliness perspective. This could also be because everything was sold out but it was such a hassle. Friendly tip, that if you are booking onsite you do have the option to see the room they’ll be giving you before you pay for it. This could certainly save you time and money. Our original hotel (the one we left) did refund our money but it took a day or so. So if your money is tied up be mindful of this. 

• Everything isn’t as it seems – It began to be a laughing matter, but I feel like everything in Miami isn’t as it seems. The original hotel looked so beautiful but turned out to be a tragedy. Then my friend had booked what was to be a 15-passenger yacht with an open bar, BUT when we got there it was a large boat that held probably 100-125 people with a cash bar. I say this to say, CHECK THE REVIEWS EVERYWHERE! Ask people from Miami, look on Instagram, get reviews and then pick and choose what you want to do. 

• Gratuity on everything already – Literally everywhere charged a gratuity even with 4 people. Just be mindful that unless you really want to you don’t need to leave extra tip. 

• Reservations – There were a few restaurants that we wanted to try but they were booked up even a week in advance. Do your research and book your reservations as early as possible to make sure you go to the places you really want to eat. I think that was my biggest regret of the trip we didn’t do a nice meal. Don’t worry it’s on my list to do next time! In our research, a few places to look up are Chica, KIKI, and of course The Versace Mansion (which you can have lunch at). 

• Cruise at Bayside – I spoke briefly earlier about the cruise we did. Though it wasn’t the yacht like we thought, it was a good time. We did a tour through Biscayne Bay and Star Island, it was an hour and a half long so it wasn’t too long or too short. The tickets were only $30 so something cheap to do if you’ve got a day to just chill. 

Places we wanted to go but weren’t able to, 

• LIV – you’ll spend a pretty penny going here just heads up. 
• E11even – depending on the night and if there is a celebrity there the prices may be up there too. We all know Miami is an expensive city so just be ready.  

As I’m writing up this post I’m thinking back on the trip and how hype I am to go back. Next time I’ll be more prepared on how to plan my day and to make sure I see all I want to see. I hope this guide was helpful to you. If you’ve been to Miami a lot of times this post is probably things you already know. If so, go on and drop some tips in the comments to help me and my readers for our next trip!