Celebrity Spotting in Miami

By: Rahul Kishore - Rahul's Musings

Miami’s pristine beaches were once reserved for people who had retired to sunny Florida for a nice long vacation. But, Miami has been reinvigorated with an influx of Hollywood starlets and the decadence they bring with them. South beach is the place to spot the rich and the famous and live like them too.

Where to Stay
There are only two hotels a real celebrity would stay when visiting Miami, the Delano Hotel or the Setai. These are the places to be seen in Miami, night or day. The Setai is much more private, a reason why many celebrities hang out here for some peace and quiet before they enjoy the Miami nightlife. The Delano has been catering to stars since it first opened in 1947. Since then the hotel has been updated with million dollar artwork and trendy rooms by Philippe Starck. But on the outside the Delano maintains its art-deco style and is one of the icons of Ocean Drive. Whether it be rock stars like Coldplay or starlets like Hillary Duff, the Delano is a celebrity's home away from home.

Where to Eat
When celebrities go out, they go out in style. Casa Casuarina often caters to celebrities including Fergie, Snoop Dogg, and Enrique Iglesias. Casuarina was originally the home of Gianni Versace, before he was violently gunned down on his doorstep. Casuarina has since been converted into a lavish restaurant that Miami's elite frequent.

For the best beef in Miami, check out Prime One Twelve, where celebrities are abound. This steakhouse within the historic Browns hotel is a great place to take your special someone for a romantic dinner. Everything here is made from Kobe beef, straight from Japan.

For something more casual, Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink is known to be a great place to eat some quality food and sight celebrities. The food is simple and the atmosphere is comfortable. Head chef Michael Schwartz has won numerous accolades for his Miami restaurants, including Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink which opened in 2006.

Where to Go
South beach is known for its night clubs, house music, and Latin rhythm. Mansion is the home of all three. Mansion is known for its chandeliers and sweeping staircases which make this club feel more like a house party. Celebrities like Kobe Bryant, Kim Kardashian and Kelly Rowland have all been spotted hanging out in one of Mansion's numerous VIP booths recently.

There’s no better way to party than out on the beach. Nikki beach at the famed One Ocean Drive is one of the most popular nightclubs in all of Miami, and is set on the sand. There are private bungalows available to just sit back and enjoy some high quality sushi and a dirty martini. Don’t be surprised if you see Paris Hilton make a random appearance.

For those who like to Salsa, Bongo’s Cuban Café will put your skills to the test. This club, owned by Gloria Estefan, is known for its tropical flair. When you get burned out from the dance floor try some authentic Cuban cuisine, sip on a mojito, and just let the music flow through you.


Photo credit: flickr cc Markus941