EAST HOTEL - MIAMI, FLORIDA

Brickell City Centre. Photo courtesy Swire Hotels.

Brickell City Centre. Photo courtesy Swire Hotels.

Miami has always been known for its vibrant lifestyle. With its manicured beaches, delicious restaurants, fabulous nightclubs, colourful neighbourhoods and constant sunshine seven days a week there is no question why it’s a huge hotspot and a destination choice for many Canadians.

In the last year, Miami’s cityscape gained a newcomer to the U.S. hospitality scene.  With the development of the Brickell City Centre, a large-scale, mixed-use project in the Brickell financial district of Miami, came the East Hotel in Miami, Swire Hotels’ first U.S. property.


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Swimming pool at EAST Hotel in Miami. Photo courtesy Swire Hotels.

Swimming pool at EAST Hotel in Miami. Photo courtesy Swire Hotels.

With 352 rooms (89 of which are residence suits) East Hotel Miami attracts young professionals who come to town for business and for pleasure. With two restaurants, a poolside bar lounge, 20,000 square feet of event space with phenomenal views of the Miami skyline, and a rooftop garden that makes you feel like you have stumbled upon a Balinese oasis there is no question that this property offers an unconventional experience for those interested in innovation, elegance and personalized boutique service.

A suite at East Hotel in Miami. Photo courtesy of Swire Hotels.

A suite at East Hotel in Miami. Photo courtesy of Swire Hotels.

The best part about being a guest at the hotel is that you can ‘stay in’ to go out! With East Hotel in Miami’s two restaurants come some of the best food and nightlife scenes Miami has to offer. Conte Nast Traveler recently voted East Hotel’s Rooftop Bar and tapas restaurant Sugar as ‘The best rooftop bar in the United States!’ Occupying the top two floors of the hotel, East Miami’s Sugar is an Asian-inspired garden oasis in the heart of the city. With unimpeded views of the Miami skyline, delicious cocktails, and a well-curated Asian Tapas menu it is easy to lose track of time and spend a whole afternoon/evening eating and drinking under the stars. This rooftop lounge also features a wrap-around deck made of Brazilian teak and a Balinese bar carved out of reclaimed oak!

The bar at Sugar, EAST hotel in Miami’s rooftop bar. Photo courtesy of Swire Hotels.

The bar at Sugar, EAST hotel in Miami’s rooftop bar. Photo courtesy of Swire Hotels.

East Hotel in Miami’s Quinto La Huella restaurant is also a ‘must’ when staying at the hotel or visiting the city. This Uruguay-inspired restaurant located on the 5th floor of the hotel features a large beautiful outdoor patio, elegant bar, and a wood burning parrilla. Since opening, the restaurant has become quite the urban sanctuary and caters to both hotel guests and local professionals working in the downtown core and Brickell center. Their menu is a mixture of sushi, seafood, and grilled meats that are cooked to perfection in front of you on their parrilla. The restaurant prides itself on featuring simple dishes with only the best ingredients. With that being said the food here is delicious; from the cocktails to the dessert everything I ate was made with great care and embodies the cultural cuisine the restaurant is inspired from.

Quinto La Huella at EAST Hotel in Miami. Photo courtesy of Swire Hotels.

Quinto La Huella at EAST Hotel in Miami. Photo courtesy of Swire Hotels.

To encourage business travellers and first time visitors the East Hotel in Miami is offering special packages, room rates, and incentives to help you experience all that the hotel has to offer. Located in the Brickell City Centre it takes only 15 minutes to drive to the hotel from Miami International Airport. Built on top of the Brickell Plaza, East Miami is conveniently connected to a huge shopping mall and popular Miami districts like Wynwood, The Design District, and South Beach making it the perfect place for you to stay on your next trip to Miami.  To learn more about the East hotel in Miami, room rates and special offers please visit www.east-miami.com

Poolside Bar and Lounge at EAST Hotel in Miami. Photo courtesy of Swire Hotels.

Poolside Bar and Lounge at EAST Hotel in Miami. Photo courtesy of Swire Hotels.


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I hope you enjoy your time at East Hotel in Miami, Florida as much as I did! If you have any questions or comments about Miami East Hotel, please feel free to leave them in the comment section below!


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EVANGELINE SPA @ THE EPICUREAN HOTEL - TAMPA BAY FLORIDA

Evangeline Spa @ The Epicurean Hotel in Tampa Bat

On my recent trip to Tampa Bay I got to experience my first ever HydraFacial MD® Spa Treatment! Before I talk about this breakthrough facial treatment that my head is still whirling over, let me give you some back story!

The Epicurean Hotel - Tampa’s upscale boutique hotel was voted one of Florida’s Top 10 Hotels by Conde Nast Traveler. From the ground floor up this hotel was made for food lovers! From the wine shop and theatre kitchen on the main floor to The Edge cocktail bar on the roof this hotel is the place to see and be seen. The Evangeline Spa located on the main floor of The Epicurean mimics the hotel’s passion for food by featuring food based materials, including coffee scrubs, to help guests relax. It’s no surprise then how excited I was when I got to experience their spa.

The Evangeline Spa is the best place in Tampa to spend a day relaxing and being pampered. The intimate spa setting makes you feel like a true VIP and their selection of treatments will have you walking out of there felling completely rejuvenated. Each product you will experience during your treatment has been carefully selected to awaken your senses. Their fresh fruit scrubs, buttery lotions and rich botanical oils are infused with fresh herbs to successfully relieve stress and leave you feeling revitalized.

One of the spa’s newest offerings is the HydraFacial MD® Spa Treatment. This 30 minute treatment cleans, exfoliates, extracts, hydrates and adds antioxidant protection all at the same time. The newest advancement in non-laser skin resurfacing HydraFacial MD® Spa Treatment is completely painless and is known to deliver clearer, more beautiful skin with very little redness, swelling or downtime.

Having never done a HydraFacial MD® Spa Treatment before I was surprised to see this state of the art skincare equipment in action. The non-invasive, multi-step facial procedure first exfoliates your skin using a serum that removes dead skin cells. The hand held instrument used to conduct the treatment drops serum onto you skin at the same time sucking it up again along with all the dead skin cells. It’s the weirdest sensation! Each step in the procedure is done in the exact same way where a small amount of serum is applied and suctioned off. This technique allows you to do a full peel without any irritation and clean on your pores using suction! How crazy is that!

The last step in the procedure includes an antioxidant protection serum that aims to nourish and protect the skin. I could instantly feel my skin soaking up as much of it as possible! The results were perfect – no irritation,  no redness from extraction just clean, smooth skin! After my procedure was over my technician showed me all the dead skin and dirt that was pulled off my skin - gross I know but also so cool! It was amazing how much he was able to remove even with consistent exfoliating and cleansing on my part!

If you are ever in the Tampa Bay area I greatly suggest you go check out the Evangeline Spa at the Epicurean Hotel for some relaxation and rejuvenation. After your treatment go next door and check out the amazing wine shop at the Epicurean Hotel or rooftop lounge for cocktails under the stars! A perfect way to end any day!

Have any questions about the HydraFacial MD Spa Treatmetn, Evangeline Spa or the Epicurean Hotel? Leave them in the comment section below and I will try my best to answer them!

TOP 10 THINGS TO DO, EAT, AND SEE IN TAMPA - RECOMMENDED BY LOCALS

I went to Tampa last month and asked 7 locals where their favorite spots to eat, drink and hangout were. This is what they told me.....

Photo Credit: Ashley Reams Mistretta

RYAN BROWN - BEVERAGE DIRECTOR AT ANISE
EDGE @ THE EPICUREAN HOTEL - Epicurean's rooftop bar is the perfect spot for guest and locals to enjoy uniquely crafted cocktails.
ROOSTER AND TILL - Enjoy small plates of Modern American cooking in a rustic atmosphere
MISE EN PLACE - Refined Modern American cooking.
CIRO'S SPEAKEASY - A speakeasy and supper club featuring hand crafted cocktails true to the prohibition era.
FLY BAR - Tampa's pioneer urban bar and restaurant.
CENA - simple and fresh Italian food in a contemporary setting
HOTEL BAR - crafted cocktails in downtown Tampa
DONATELLO - Fine Italian cuisine
BRICK AND MORTAR - Rustic atmosphere American fare in St. Pete's
IL RITORNO - contemporary Italian
MANDERINE HYDE - Retro cocktail bar

STUART - BARTENDER AT HIDDEN SPRINGS BREWERY
ANGRY CHAIR BREWING - Micro brewery in Seminole Heights
MERMAID - Craft brews, diverse wines & eclectic fare
FIRST CHANCE LAST CHANCE - Bar and courtyard
RESERVOIR BAR - Dive bar in historic Ybor
INDEPENDENT BAR AND CAFE - Cafe/bar open for breakfast. Music/movie night and a beer garden.
FLY BAR - Tampa's pioneer urban bar and restaurant.
HAVEN - modern Mediterranean dishes served in a stylish, refined dining atmosphere
DIRTY SHAME - Dive bar in historic Ybor

COUPLE IN FLY BAR
THE COLUMBIA - Traditional Spanish restaurant in historic Ybor
ULELE - Rustic-chic site for native Floridian fare, with barbacoa grilling & house-brewed beers
BERN'S STEAK HOUSE - Tampa's famous refined steakhouse with the largest private wine collection in the world
SOHO (SOUTH HOWARD) - a popular street in south Tampa for drinking (college kids hotspot)
ACAPULCO GROCERY - hole in the wall restaurant but the best taco's in Tampa
MIGUELITOS TAQUERIA Y TEQUILAS -  Voted Tampa's best Mexican restaurant.
JANNUS LIVE - Outdoor music venue in St Pete's
HYDE PARK - upscale open air shopping district with lots of dining and entertainment
GASPARILLA PIRATE FESTIVAL - Tampa's Mardi Gras, pirate style!

GEOFF CRAIN - BARTENDER AT HOTEL BAR
BERN'S STEAK HOUSE - Tampa's famous refined steakhouse with the largest private wine collection in the world
BODEGA ON CENTRAL - Cuban sandwiches & other Latin American street foods in St. Pete's
CROWBAR - downtown bar and beer garden with live music
NEW WORLD BREWERY - Indie pub and brewery with live music
THE RITZ, YBOR - Tampa's premier special events and concert venue
HAVEN - modern Mediterranean dishes served in a stylish, refined dining atmosphere
THE HUB BAR - Laid-back 1940s-vintage bar with strong drinks and jupbox
BONEYARD - Dive bar in historic Ybor
FIRST CHANCE LAST CHANCE - Bar and courtyard
ROOSTER AND TILL - Enjoy small plates of Modern American cooking in a rustic atmosphere

MIKE - INSTRUCTOR AT URBAN KAI
BERN'S STEAK HOUSE - Tampa's famous refined steakhouse with the largest private wine collection in the world
ROOSTER AND TILL - Enjoy small plates of Modern American cooking in a rustic atmosphere
BOCA - Farm-to-table eatery serving Californian-Mediterranean small plates
SOHO SUSHI - Upscale eatery offering specialty sushi rolls & cooked Japanese fare
THE GETAWAY - Tiki bar in St. Pete's
FLY BAR - Tampa's pioneer urban bar and restaurant.
ELLA'S - American comfort food
 OXFORD EXCHANGE - European-inspired space featuring a restaurant, bookstore, coffeehouse & shop with decor & gifts.
MISE EN PLACE - Refined Modern American cooking.

GREG WHITE - SOCIAL MEDIA AND BRAND MANAGER AT E2 MEDIA LLC
THE MILL - Inventive New American food with a Southern spin joins craft cocktails in farmstead-chic surroundings in St Pete's
ROOSTER AND TILL - Enjoy small plates of Modern American cooking in a rustic atmosphere
FODDER AND SHINE - Locally sourced Southern comfort fare, craft beer & cocktails in modern, country-inspired digs.
ULELE - Rustic-chic site for native Floridian fare, with barbacoa grilling & house-brewed beers
CHOCOLATE PI - French patisserie and sweet shop
ON SWANN - Creative New American cuisine prepared in an open-concept kitchen of this chic, lofty eatery.
BOCA - Farm-to-table eatery serving Californian-Mediterranean small plates
BERN'S STEAK HOUSE - Tampa's famous refined steakhouse with the largest private wine collection in the world
WAT MONGKOLRATANARAM - a Buddhist Thai temple known for its Sunday food market
WHISKY JOE - Rustic hangout with a party vibe that serves casual American chow & booze right on the beach.
YOLK, WHITE & ASSOCIATES - Sandwiches, Breakfast, Coffee etc.


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CUBAN SANDWICHES & THE MIAMI WYNWOOD ART DISTRICT, FLORIDA

MY MIAMI TRAVEL GUIDE

One of most amazing parts of being a blogger is discovering things. New food, new places, new people. If you have been following me for a while you have probably already figured out that I’m quite a naturally inquisitive person and if you haven’t, well let me tell you – I like an adventure. You may even soon discover that locals want to share their experiences with you and recommend places to go and restaurants to eat at. Sometimes, it’s even before you have a chance to ask for it! Haha!

I recently went to Florida to visit my mom who like many other Canadians has become a snowbird flying south for the winter. I will admit I went on this trip with one objective, to find the best El Cubano sandwich. It is well know that Miami is the epicenter for Cuban influence in America and I was determined to find the best, most authentic Cuban pork sandwich Miami had to offer – and thankfully, my mom was game!

After doing some research I found a Cuban restaurant located in Little Havana called Versailles that was supposed to have the best Cuban sandwich in Miami, so off my mom and I went.  It was no surprise that the restaurant was packed with Cuban families and businessman.

Aesthetically the restaurant is a little outdated, but the prices are great and everything that came out of the kitchen looked delicious including my sandwich. The bread was toasted until golden, cheese melted just so, pork perfectly roasted and full of juicy flavors, all topped with the perfect amount of mustard accompaniment - YUP! It deserved all the hype I had previously read about!

Now, this is when things get good because blogging and being a social media creator opens a lot of doors/windows into other people’s lives. I mean, isn’t that what social media is for? To discover and share experiences? Well, it didn’t take long for me to soon stumbled across photos of walls, many walls, painted in these amazing murals. I was very happy when at one point I made a new Instagram friend who grew up and worked in Miami and recommended I check out the Wynwood Art District while I was in town – specifically the Miami Wynwood Walls. Perfect! My mom was game so off we went on another adventure!


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The Wynwood Walls (where you find all the murals) occupy an entire city block on NW 2nd Avenue between 25th and 26th Streets. Here you will also find a garden, indoor gallery and studio space, as well as the adjacent Wynwood Kitchen & Bar.

Finding parking, a places to eat or bars in Wynwood is very easy. The entire art district and neighbourhood seemed to consist of about five square blocks but even before visiting the walls my mom and I went to a great contemporary art gallery in the area and grabbed food in Wynwood at The Butcher Shop Beer Garden & Grill . The Butcher Shop has both an indoor seating area and an outdoor patio at the front of the restaurant shielded nicely from the street. Like a little oasis my mom and I took some refuge from the mid-day sun for lunch and were pleasantly surprised to find the service quick and food delicious. I really liked this spot and thought it had a great casual dining vibe and a perfect spot to grab drinks if you are looking to enjoy a Wynwood happy hour . It also soon seemed to be a popular spot amongst young creative’s that work and live in the area which made it all the more appealing to me.

With our bellies full and the taste of sangria still on our lips we wondered over to the Wynwood Walls and were surprised to discover how many murals there were and how they span both sides of an entire block not to mention lining a pedestrian only walled walkway/art park. The entire place was awesome and I would definitely recommend the Wynwood Art District to anyone visiting Miami who is looking for a cool activity for a day. If you are like me you won’t miss the opportunity to snap a photo in front of a Miami mural than perhaps you’ll be lucky enough to leave with a new profile picture like me – it’s just that good.

Cheers!!!!


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