You Go, Solo, In Miami-oh!

Lately I’ve become the Solo-Traveler, which I love. I’ve been jet-setting on these one-day and weekend getaways. Traveling solo can be a lot of fun. And strange as it may sound, or most of us tend to not believe, it can be pretty safe. I would advise you to do your research, brush up on the culture, the local life, the language, surrounding neighborhoods, and the local attractions, etc. With that being said, here’s my latest one-day getaway excursion to South Beach, Miami, FL. Nestled in the heart of South Beach but a tab bit off the main beat is where you’ll find a quiet and seductive boutique hotel called The Sanctuary. I found the name of the hotel to be quite peculiar…very sacred. I wasn’t sure if I should pray first or kneel down before entering this “holy” ground…I didn’t know if I should be shunned for my persecutions or praised for my persecutions. A sanctuary is a place where one is taken for some sort of wrongdoing. Well if I did wrong and I had to choose a place to be persecuted it would be South Beach’s Sanctuary Hotel.

Miami wouldn’t be Miami without its serenity, clean lines, and fashionistic appeal. And the Sanctuary is the epitome of a true Miami hotel-stay experience. In its appreciated South Beach style, my hotel room, well actually “mini-condo”, was neatly designed with clean white walls, white marble floors, and accented with taupe and olive furniture pieces and accessories. It still amazes me how the designer of this hotel managed to keep everything to a minimal and still provided a stylish and chic space that felt really huge. For instance the breakfast bar or kitchenette area, was very spacious and chic and reminded me of an open kitchen in a spacious New York City Upper Westside apartment. The bathroom was divided into two separate rooms, a face room and a washroom. The face room included a face bowl sink, a huge mirror with excellent lighting (Ladies…you will adore this), and storage space underneath the sink. The washroom, which was completely tiled in a deep ocean blue color, consisted of a pair of sliding glass doors used to enter the shower oasis. The shower oasis won me over with the waterfall showerhead. I am a huge fan of the waterfall showerhead. Whenever I step underneath a waterfall showerhead I immediately relax and my mind takes me to the island of Jamaica at Dunns River Waterfalls, where I first experienced being submerged under a real-life waterfall. Definitely an added bonus towards my Sanctuary stay and future stays. Next to the face room and shower is the bedroom. A floor to ceiling frosted window separates the two rooms and establishes a new sense of space. The bedroom is also simple and chic. Simply a very comfortable queen sized chocolate brown platform bed, dressed in a huge fluffy down comforter, and crisp white sheets against a frosted pane wall. I partook in some of the best sleeps ever, on that bed.

I give the Sanctuary an A++ in cleanliness, organization, and décor. It was impeccable. Now, if I had to make a complaint, it would be about the balcony. Each room, well at least on the 2nd floor, comes with a balcony. No need to get your hopes up because there are no spectacular views. Actually, my view was of the wall of the building next door, and the balcony space was as narrow as Shawn Johnson (Olympic Gold Medalist on Balance Beam) performing her routine on the 4inch beam (ok, I’m exaggerating but you get my point). However, with a room as exquisite and comfortable as mine, who had the time for a balcony? Get an even better idea of the hotel by viewing our video below.

Finally detaching myself from my haven, I noticed what more The Sanctuary had to offer, and I was in for a special treat. To be honest, you don’t really need to leave the hotel for anything. The Sanctuary comes with a full service restaurant, a bar, a very chic hair salon, a spa, and a rooftop lounge with a bar, a swimming pool, and a hot tub. And for the culturally curious, or shall I say cultural enthusiasts, there’s an atrium on the ground level, designed with a Zen motif, that has original artwork and paintings. It really felt as if I was inside a trendy contemporary art studio.

Although I was tempted to not leave the hotel and have lunch onsite, I felt the need to explore more of South Beach. Now, I’ve never eaten on the northern end of South Beach, which is where the Sanctuary is located, so I was curious in knowing what was nearby and if it was any good. A block away on Collins Avenue, nearby the infamous Delano Hotel, I spotted Kung Fu Chu which offered Asian Cuisine. I must admit, the outside seating that consisted of chaises, love seats, recliners, and ottomans all won me over. Well I seated myself, and found a menu on my own. After reviewing the lengthy menu I decided that I would order a noodle dish and a classic mojito. Unfortunately it took a while before someone noticed that I was seated and the service turned out to be on the poor side. For a non-busy weekday afternoon, the service seemed to laid-back for me. The noodle bowl, though it was a nice proportion, lacked flavor and charm. The mojito, however, saved the day but I left feeling incomplete.

After, a not so great lunch, I decided to treat myself to some beach time and shopping on Lincoln Road Mall (you cannot come to Miami without going to Lincoln Road Mall). Well, I needed to pay a visit to my favorite boutique store, BASE. If you’re into fashionable clothes with simple colors but offbeat lines, one of kind sneaks and shoes, oils, fragrances, unique jewelry, and underground house music - You must check out BASE. The store is very much inspired by a VHI Fashion Rocks episode. Also on Lincoln Road Mall is a new store I stumbled on called THE SOURCE. Swearing that I would not make a purchase, only look, was a nice game I played with myself. When I stepped inside my mouth dropped. The store was like Sean Jean meets True Religion meets Gucci meets Todd Oldam meets…you get my point! The recession was in full effect because everything was marked down. This store was truly for the Rock/Pop Star icon or wannabe. Feeling my Rock Star flavor, I made a Rock Star purchase for a normal person price!

Well, with the lunch, the beach stop, and shopping all done it was now time for dinner. During my day, a local shopper suggested I try the restaurants on Espanola Way. “It’s authentic Spanish food,” the local guy told me. Well this was a first for me of the many times I’ve traveled to Miami. Never have I ventured down Espanola Way. So I made my way.

Initially I thought Espanola Way was going to be a very busy and jumping street like Carnival in Brazil. However, it was on the calm side. I was also surprised to see very few restaurants serving authentic Spanish foods. I was in the mood for Cuban cuisine and there was not a single Cuban restaurant in sight. So I decided on Oh Mexico. The skeptic in me resurfaced as I sat down to order. However, the little voice died the moment the waiter came. I ordered shrimp enchiladas. For drink? A Mojito, classic style. It was a good mojito. I give it a B+. What really peeked my curiosity though was the Margarita Mojito, made with Tequila. Let’s just say I really enjoyed that. By the time dinner arrived, I was on my third. Margarita Mojito - A+++. Dinner looked good and it was full of flavor. Now, normally I don’t have room for dessert but I could not resist the Dulce de Leche cake when I saw it on the menu. Oh Yes it did live up to expectations!

Moments later I was full and needed a quick power nap, so I returned to The Sanctuary for a quick nap.

After napping I revisited Lincoln Road Mall, which by night transforms into more of a party scene. Restaurant doors were wide open, lights were dim, bouncers were present, and the bass in the music was thumping up and down the mall. I opted out on quite a few places, only because I felt like having a low-key evening. I then found the perfect resting spot at the Hookah Lounge. I ordered the apple hookah and had the bartender concoct a Margarita Mojito. At the sound of my request I got the weirdest look. I assured him that he heard me correctly. It was perfect and he too, after preparing himself a smaller version, enjoyed it. The bartender and I chatted briefly and about an hour later, it was time for the Solo Traveler to retire to the comfort, quality, and peacefulness of his Sanctuary. Tomorrow is a new day, and a new adventure…a new getaway.

Sanctuary South Beach
1745 James Ave.
Miami Beach, FL 33139
305-673-5455

www.sanctuarysobe.com

Base
939 Lincoln Road
Miami Beach, FL 33139
305-531-4982

www.baseworld.com

Source (For Men)
726 Lincoln Road
Miami Beach, FL 33139

305-531-2608

Source (For Women)
728 Lincoln Road
Miami Beach, FL 33139
305-672-2675

www.dvinelounge.com