Sun-kissed Solo Female Travel: Miami, Florida
Oh boy, this was a whirlwind of adventure! Picture this: work gives me the green light to jet off for a conference, and I decide to go all out by picking Miami, the farthest place from the West Coast.
Now, here's the kicker: I'm usually not the solo-travel type. Like, I've never flown solo for more than an hour, and staying solo? Never done that either!
So there I was, in Miami, knowing absolutely nobody. Talk about diving headfirst into the unknown! But you know what? Taking that leap of faith was the best decision ever.
Touching down in Miami a day early, I wanted to savor every moment before the conference kicked off. After a solid five-and-a-half-hour flight, I snagged my bags and eagerly awaited my Lyft.
Cruising through Miami en route to Miami Beach, my eyes were wide open! I mean, seriously, the cleanliness here was next-level. The Bay Area could totally take some notes. Everything was sparkling, lit up like a festival, and when we crossed the 195 onto W 41st Street onto Collins Avenue, I was practically bouncing in my seat with pure excitement!
Imagine when you've been drooling over something online, and then BAM! You see it in real life, and it's a zillion times better than you ever imagined. That was me walking into the Grand Beach Hotel. Gosh, it was drop-dead gorgeous! Think of it as this perfect combo of simplicity and elegance. It was so stunningly beautiful, I could hardly contain myself!
Oh boy, let me tell you about my room—it was like stepping into a kingdom! Seriously, it was so spacious, the perfect spot for a five-night extravaganza!
Now, at this point, I was practically running on fumes. I mean, I'd been up since 4:30 AM Pacific Standard Time, and thanks to that lovely Daylight Savings switcheroo, I lost three precious hours flying to the East Coast. All I craved was some divine room service and a heavenly soak in the tub!
And guess what? The room service blew my mind! I ordered a burger, expecting the usual hotel fare, but holy moly, it was hands down one of the best burgers I've ever sunk my teeth into! Shockingly good—I was floored!
Sleeping in a new spot? It's like my inner baby mode gets activated. So, what did I do? I found my perfect sleep setup: nestled under a rain station, ready to catch those Z's like a pro. Gotta admit, it was the recipe for the perfect snooze!
Day 1:
I woke up, opened the the curtains, walked out onto the balcony to the most incredible view.
You know that feeling when you're always on the go, your mind buzzing with what's next? Well, this trip was my escape from that madness. Every moment on that balcony was like a gift—a rare chance to just sit, sip my coffee, and soak in the bliss of simply being. It was like hitting pause on the world and relishing every drop of that peaceful moment.
I made it my mission to uncover every nook and cranny of that place over the next few days. I mean, why rush, right? So, I strolled around, checked out every corner, and soaked up all the goodies the hotel had to offer. It was like my personal pre-conference adventure, and boy, was it worth it!
Down in the Lobby was a bar, Gelato bar and Coffee Shop with pastries, a little gift shop, and the Chez Gaston restaurant.
Today was just about looking around and getting my bearings so the treats would have to wait.
Stepping outside, I instantly fell head over heels for the spa and patio area! The cleanliness and spacious layout were absolutely delightful. But the real magic happened when I strolled beyond the charming white picket fence and discovered the immaculate walkway stretching in both directions. It took my breath away! If only I had endless hours and the perfect shoes, I would have embarked on a journey to uncover its mysteries. (Little did I know then that the walkway actually leads for miles along the beach in both directions!)
Excitedly, I headed to the stunning beach. Finding an empty beach chair and umbrella near the water filled me with joy. It felt like fate, and I was eager to enjoy it for the next few hours!
Following a couple of peaceful hours of relaxation, I needed to return to prepare for the beginning of the conference.
Before the introductory session commenced, I had one final location on my list to visit - the upper deck balcony, which would serve as our mingling, breakfast, and outdoor area.
The views from this area are perfect!
Day 2:
The conference day was so engaging that there were no remarkable events until sunset.
Following the conference, I headed to the upper deck pool to unwind and enjoy the sunset.
The pool area was minimalistic and tidy, featuring cabana loungers.
The sunset was absolutely spectacular! It exceeded all expectations and was truly a sight to behold!
I managed to capture some fantastic close-up shots!
When it comes to mingling with other administrators, the number one rule is to always have a blast! That's why a bunch of us thought, "Hey, why not hit up South Beach and rock out at a karaoke bar?"
That we did. Yours truly did not sing but I cheered my loudest and danced along!
We made a quick stop at the hotel lobby bar for a pre-game drink before heading out.
I was clearly captivated by the lights, as you can tell.
I have to tell you all a little secret, never have I ever been to a karaoke bar! SHOCKING!! I KNOW!
I had so much fun, even though I didn't sing!
This is a quite precise description of the Clevelander!
"Get ready to experience the ultimate party destination at Clevelander South Beach! Known as the Best Party on the Beach, this iconic venue on Ocean Drive is at the heart of all the action. With its Art Deco charm and legendary status, Clevelander promises a Miami experience like no other. It's the go-to spot for epic daytime parties, extravagant celebrations, and non-stop fun, living up to its reputation as the ultimate playground for South Beach Miami party-goers!"
Even if you are not the most sociable person, I would recommend attending this event on a Tuesday night in Miami! I strongly believe that a place such as this encourages everyone to have fun!
Day 3:
I was especially excited for today as we would get a big break in the middle of the day to explore. I originally thought that I was going to the Wynwood Walls Art District with a bunch of different people from the conference but they all decided to go to the beach, so in true solo travel fashion, I went by myself.
After a short Lyft down to the district I was so sad to find out that a lot of it was under construction.
I had researched numerous restaurants and art venues to explore. Additionally, I followed two other bloggers who shared valuable insights and ideas from their trips to Miami.
So I walked around for a little bit to see what I could before taking a Lyft back to the hotel.
On my way back to the hotel, I noticed that I hadn't observed the bay in daylight, and it was truly stunning.
Being in Miami, I would have felt let down if I hadn't come across a sports car! Luckily, the city lived up to my expectations.
So with time to kill, back to the beach I went!
Day 4:
Today has been the most amusing day of my trip so far! I woke up early with the intention of capturing the sunrise, only to be greeted by the unexpected sight of a cloudy morning and strong winds of about 40 mph. Nevertheless, I was resolute in my determination to capture some great shots.
I managed to capture some truly amazing shots right when the sun began to break through the clouds! The windy conditions were definitely worth it!
That early evening I was finally able to get some great shots of the restaurant inside the hotel Chez Gaston.
The restaurant has a lovely, airy, and intimate atmosphere with beautiful decor. The service is exceptional, with cheerful and relaxed servers who make you feel truly special during your dining experience. The food is reasonably priced and the portions are generous. I liked that you could enjoy a delicious meal and stunning views without having to leave the restaurant.
Day 5:
On my last day, I had a few hours to spare before heading to the airport. I decided to follow a final suggestion from a friend and tried a traditional Cubano sandwich at Versailles. The restaurant was packed, and once I started eating, it became clear to me why. The food is basic comfort food that truly stood out on its own. It is a must visit!
Following that, I strolled through South Beach for a brief period to explore the attractions.
The abundance of restaurants, souvenir shops, and the beach make it a pleasant location.
This part of the city is quite congested, which made me appreciate the quieter area of Miami Beach where my hotel was located.
Final Thoughts:
I regret not having more time to explore the city thoroughly. I regret not being able to rent a car and drive down to Key West. I am determined to make it happen next time.
I enjoyed my stay and prefer not to be farther down on South Beach. I appreciate the tranquility and smaller crowds in my area. The hotel was ideal, and I was satisfied with its offerings. I believe it is the perfect spot for those seeking a leisurely, beach-centric vacation.
I am excited about the prospect of flying to the Bahamas for a few days during a future trip!
Thank you everyone for joining me on my adventures and following my stories.
I would greatly appreciate your help in spreading the word about my website and blog!
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