Get the most out of your time in Miami by staying at two hotel hotspots. First, book the Brickell Suiteat Mandarin Oriental, Miami and then reserve the Premier Ocean View room at The Raleigh Miami Beach. Each it’s unique in its own right and offers a perfect piece of paradise to every guest. From top-notch dining and unwinding at a Five-Star spa, to sharing plates poolside and cruising along Collins Avenue on a beach cruiser, both resorts provide the ultimate one-stop-shop getaway experience. Here, we share our top reasons why you should spend one night at each of these fabulous Miami hotels.

You won’t want to leave your suite at the Mandarin once you step onto the balcony, which overlooks the beautiful Brickell Key island. The view in itself—think high-rise buildings surrounded by crystal blue water—will make you appreciate reserving the 885-square-foot Brickell Suite on the 19th floor of the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star property. It is here that you can lounge around under the luxe linens in your bedroom or feel right at home in the suite’s living room reading The New York Times on your personal iPad thanks to the MO Digital Library. Be sure to order room service and savor a tasty meal before heading down to the pool to get some sun. We recommend the Miami Open Face Omelet. It comes with avocado, sautéed mushrooms, tomato, green onion, swiss cheese, queso fresco and crisp tortilla.

The privacy offered at the pool is ideal for couples wanting to work on their tan in tandem. Soak up the sun in 85-degree temps on chaise lounge chairs near the palm-tree-lined infinity-edge pool and hot tub. When you’re ready to retreat, don’t head back to your suite so soon. Make a beeline from the water to the spa where treatments such as the 120-minute Customized Time Ritual(sit back and indulge in an easing foot ritual before your soothing massage) and the 80-minute Gentleman Essentials Therapeutic massage will transport you to a tranquil state in no time flat.

Once you’re nice and rested, hop in an Uber and make your way (approximately 5.4 miles) to Anatomy at 1220 for its 60-minute Lean Body Pilates class. The 13,000-square-foot Miami Beach gym offers its members everything from personal training to a hot plunge pool where you’ll want to take a dip to relax your muscles after an intense strength training workout. Before you leave to get ready for dinner, stop by VitaSquad’s IV Lounge on the second floor of the gym for a “medical cocktail” like the 1000ML IV intramuscular shot that includes B12 to help increase energy.

Back at the hotel, prepare for an evening unlike any other when you dine at La Mar by Gastón Acurio. Experience authentic Peruvian food prepared by executive chef Diego Oka. Our favorites from his dinner menu include the clasico ceviche (fluke, cilantro, ají limo pepper, red onions, choclo, classic leche de tigre), arroz con mariscos (ají panca fried rice with shrimp, mussels, octopus, calamari, salsa criolla), and lomo saltado (stir-fried angus beef, red onions, tomatoes, soy sauce, cilantro, thick-cut fried potato wedges, rice with choclo). If there’s a little space left in your belly, top off the palate-pleasing meal with Oka’s chocolate mousse and lucuma. We promise, your date will love you even more if you share the dessert. Enjoy this meal indoors where woods, furnishings infused with Peruvian North Sea hues like sandy gray and watery green, and a hydroponic green wall set the scene or dine alfresco overlooking the magnificent waterfront.

Keep the good times rolling over at The Raleigh, a charming Art Deco gem originally designed in 1940 by well-known architect L. Murray Dixon. The 105-room hotel is situated on the popular Collins Avenue where it’s easy to access nearby hotels, restaurants and nightlife. You can walk around exploring the city or hop on one of the hotel’s beach cruisers that are stored on a bike rack near the valet stand.

When you’ve had enough of riding around town, hit the beach, which is just steps from The Raleigh’s pool area. Check in at The Raleigh’s designated seaside hut and the beach attendant will set up your chaise lounge chairs or cabana. Order the Maine Lobster Roll from the beach menu and get your girlfriend a glass of Grenache rosé (think fruity tasting notes). Take a short walk to the ocean and put your toes in the warm water before setting out to sun worship for the next few hours.

As you laze around staring at the hot bodies on the beach, you’ll find yourself quickly wanting to fit in with the South Beach lifestyle. No worries there. A class at Barry’s Bootcamp will whip you into shape in no time. Take the Abs class with Derek. He’ll push you to the max in the 60-minute workout, which will have you breaking a sweat within the first five minutes. Think high-intensity interval cardiovascular treadmill training, lots of planks, free weights and some fun. On your way out the door, stop at the Fuel Bar for a shake. We loved the Just Barry’d (almond milk, cranberry juice, strawberries, raspberries, vanilla whey protein) and the Not Yo Average Joe (organic unsweetened almond milk, coffee, banana, Isopure vanilla whey protein).

Take a hot shower (try the Ciel Spa products provided) followed by a nap (get cozy in the Egyptian cotton sheets) when you get back to your Premier Ocean View room. Don’t fuss too much over what you’ll have for dinner because The Restaurant at The Raleigh will take care of you with its modern American cuisine. Sit poolside and order the fresh tuna poke (with fresh citrus ponzu, avocado, toasted macadamia) and braised short ribs (accompanied by cipollini onion, fingerling potatoes). Both dishes from chef Jose Icardi provide a nice blend of light and heavy surf and turf. You’ll fancy sitting under the twinkling stars and next to what Life magazine named “the most beautiful pool in America” in 1947.

End the evening at the Martini Bar inside. A hotel staple, the intimate eight-seat mahogany bar serves a handful of cocktails. Share a couple of tipples with your sweetheart. We suggest Never Say Never (Mount Gay Black Barrel rum, lime, syrup, strawberry, mint, basil) or Bee’s Knees (Nolet’s Gin, honey syrup, lemon juice). And if you’re really in the mood to be naughty, pair the beverages with a plate of chocolate fudge cake from The Restaurant at The Raleigh. Accompanied by mocha sauce, chocolate shortbread and coffee chantilly, you’ll be sure to hit the sweet spot in more ways than one.

Mandarin Oriental, Miami
Address: 500 Brickell Key Dr, Miami, FL 33131
Phone:(305) 913-8288
www.mandarinoriental.com/miami

The Raleigh Hotel  
Address: 1775 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Phone:(305) 534-6300
www.raleighhotel.com