I always enjoy discovering public art and this large green turtle put a smile on my face when I saw…read moreher near the beach in Surfside. Florida Loggerheads are the most common type of sea turtle in Florida and they are the mascot of the beach town Surfside, Florida. You can find artistic renderings of them all over including in front of the town hall. Sea turtles come to the beaches of Surfside to lay their eggs on the sand in May through October and the town takes protecting their nests very seriously. There were once millions of sea turtles but now they are a threatened species. Surfside is leading efforts in sea turtle research, conservation and advocacy. Plastic straws are banned in Surfside and they work closely with the Miami-Dade County Sea Turtle Conservation Program and third-party organizations like Debris Free Oceans and Miami is Not Plastic. This large green turtle can be found at the entrance at 95th Street. She is named Ké and was created by student artist Aylin Chaparro in partnership with the Miami International University of Art and Design. The installation honors the sea turtles who come to lay their eggs and Florida's first people, the Tequesta who lived in the area now known as Surfside for 2,000 years. The Tequesta became extinct through disease and slavery when the Spanish came to Florida in the 1500's. Ké is the middle syllable of the Tequesta word Tekesta meaning planet earth. I love the history and environmental message of this piece. Ké is standing guard over the beach to remind everyone who comes to the area to protect the nesting sea turtles and respect the earth.

Fleurs De Villes Voyage is a 10 day cultural arts event that is launching at Bal Harbour Shops…read more Local florists have covered the malls mannequins in a stunning array of flowers. This years theme, Voyage was inspired by Baroness Karen Blixen whose memoir inspired the film Out of Africa. Some of the figures are historical while others are global. I especially liked Amelia Earhart located on the second floor. She took off on her final flight from Miami. Humphrey Bogart from Casablanca is holding court on the first floor in Rick's Cafe and a stunning Geisha and her Japanese cherry blossom tree are on the third floor celebrating the Cherry Blossom Festival in Kyota, Japan. Some of the entrances to the stores are wreathed in more flowers while there are even more surprises surrounding the mall. Before you leave you can vote for your favorite scene in the ACCESS Suite. Your vote will give you a chance to win a prize. During this Voyage the mall is hosting special events including an afternoon tea, craft Titanic-inspired botanical cocktails at the St. Regis Bar, special spa treatments at the The St. Regis Bal Harbour Spa, a special dining experience at the Artisan Beach House in The Ritz-Carlton Bal Harbour,a complimentary floral scented themed yoga class and a special floral aromatherapy session in the Exhale Spa, a children's floral art class, and a pop up floral market in the center courtyard. Check the Bal Harbour Shop's web site for more information. This was my first time visiting Bal Harbour Shops. This outdoor mall is beautiful and makes the perfect backdrop for all of the unique floral creations. Hurry over because you only have until March 12th before the bloom is off the rose and Voyage moves on to L.A., Chicago, Toronto, Vancouver, New York City, and Boston. ‍

The hotel charged me for one night that I did not stay, plus a cancellation fee. There were severe…read morerestrictions on basic amenities use, and the overall hotel conditions were poor. They refused to waive the cancellation fee and the one-night charge, even though I left shortly after check-in and did not stay overnight. There are many similar complaints from other guests over the last several years about misleading advertising, hidden restrictions, and lack of clear information before booking.

The carpets in the room were stained and the room was musty…read more Breakfast buffet was minimal at best. Vinegary, sulfur smelling eggs. Many children just grabbing things- no manners and parents didn't seem to care.

Love this studio and how it offers something for women of all ages. I'm in my late 50s and…read moreespecially enjoy the adult zumba, circle mobility and adult ballet classes. The teachers are excellent and make everyone feel welcome. A++

Awesome little dance school! My little girl loves it and has made some great friends there…read more Recommend!

Amazing! What a place to see beautiful pieces of art at the gallery located in Wynwood, also known…read moreas Miami's art district. It has a very modern design and decor. I enjoyed viewing all of the unique pieces of art and collections. The gallery frequently changes its artwork and exhibits. I was greeted with kindness and knowledge by the gallery team. A must go to explore and immerse yourself in quality art. I definitely will be back when I am in the Miami area of Wynwood.

If there is something Wynwood doesn't lack of is art in all shapes and colors. I love all the art…read moregalleries opening in this area. The Wall Art Gallery is not the exception and I enjoy their art collection. While pricing is kind of prohibitive, it costs nothing to enjoy the fine art they have. Looking forward to my next time at this place to see if they have refreshed their collection. All in all, I appreciate the work of those artists and the Wall Art Gallery for offering a place to exhibit those.

Hotel is not ADA compliant. No elevators anywhere. Had issues with the shower not turning off.read more

Beyond DISGUSTING! Torn carpet, torn wallpaper, paint chipping, mold in the shower and filthy…read more Left immediately after I walked into the room. I was told that night that Amanda , the manager, would contact me about a refund. That never happened. Called her several times and no call back. No idea who is writing these fake reviews!!

If you are coming to Miami, and your calendar is manageable, make your visit land on Second…read moreSaturday. If you make it on Second Saturday, well, all galleries are open late, and many galleries offer free drinks. Many galleries also have cash bars, if you really want to hang. If you like walking around, this could be a problem. The streets are packed with art lovers. If you like to sit down, this could also be a problem. It's overcrowded, and finding a seat may be a hard commodity to find, but don't lose hope. If you come to Second Saturday, you'll have fun.

How could I have not reviewed this before?…read more I was one of the brave souls exploring Wynwood back at the beginning in '02 / '03 when Second Saturdays had a more underground feel to it and was just three or four gallery spaces. (I remember this area when I went to high school nearby and it was just the hood, but I'll leave it at that...don't want any more gray hairs to pop up!) Anyways, Wynwood / Design District has grown up and diversified now and known by the mainstream. Nowadays you're likely to see a DJ performance in front of a local (non green mermaid) coffee shop with live breakdancing, live street painting, performance art such as planking in one of the public spaces, and bands in the other . You're also likely to run into a bunch of majorly cool people around the different galleries too. Don't forget the bunch of new restaurants, plus the food trucks either! Sure, parking can be an adventure and / or overpriced ($10 for an unimproved lot where my "Eleanor" gets dirty?? ) But what would a hot night in the city be without a little adventure!

I always get chills driving thru Surfside on Collins Ave and 87th...remembering the tragic collapse…read moreof the 12 story Champlain Towers condo building killing 98 people at 1:14 am. Most were asleep at that time. This was national news for weeks. Only three individuals were pulled alive from the debris in the immediate aftermath. It was very upsetting to us as we live very close by there and frequently drive by. This happened 4 years ago. There is a new building going up now. Surfside is a small one-square mile oceanfront area that is a walkable, residential beach town located between Miami Beach and Bal Harbour. It is known for its quiet, family-friendly atmosphere, pristine beaches, luxury oceanfront condos and charming downtown with unique shops and restaurants. It offers a mix of luxury and small-town appeal, with beautiful parks, and public art installations like the "turtles" on a corner of Collins Ave. It is so pretty there during the Christmas season with all the lights up. Many tourists stay in Surfside instead of South Beach because it is more peaceful and quiet.

These are pictures of outside the Surfside community center. As it is a coastal community, the…read moreTown of Surfside has made it a part of its mission to save the planet--and with that, Florida Loggerhead sea turtles. That is why turtle art features outside. This multi-purpose Community Center was built with amenities that include a recreational pool with lap lanes, plunge pool and slide, children's activity pool, and Jacuzzi. Additional amenities include two multipurpose rooms to host a variety of activities and programs for all ages. It is also equipped with locker room facilities, family restrooms, and a first aid station. To the east of the center is a green space, the perfect setting for party rentals and community events. Enjoy a snack or bite to eat at the onsite snack bar and grill. Since the opening in June 2011, the Community Center is home to the Parks and Recreation and Tourist Bureau administrative offices.

We visited during the Christmas/New Years holidays. Toni was the perfect host for our LittleHavana…read moreFood & History Tour! As a proud Cuban who lives right in the neighborhood, she brought every street, mural, and bite to life with stories you won't find in any guidebook. * Expert storytelling: Toni blended history, culture, and fun facts so effortlessly that the past felt present around every corner. * Fantastic food line‑up: From the first crisp empanada to the last sip of strong Cuban espresso, every stop was spot‑on--and those freshly muddled mojitos were chef's kiss. * Behind‑the‑scenes moments: Watching master rollers craft cigars up close was fascinating, and Toni's insider connections meant we got front‑row views. * Warm local vibe: She knew shop owners by name, waved to neighbors, and made us feel like part of the community--not just tourists passing through. We loved every minute and every bite. If you want a tour that's flavorful, authentic, and led by someone who truly knows (and loves) LittleHavana, book with Toni. You'll leave full, happy, and already planning your next visit!

I cannot recommend this tour enough! We had Toni as our guide for the Little Havana Food Tour. She…read morewas so energetic and knowledgeable, and so prepared! She brought ponchos so we could continue on as it rained. It was beautiful to learn about and see this neighborhood through the eyes of someone who grew up here. Toni knows so much history and seemed to know so many of the people, too! The tour has so much food - I was honestly more than full at the end and I didn't even finish all of my portions. I think it was a really good range of drinks, desserts, and food. Even though that coffee cup looks small, that's a full serving size and it was strong! I really really appreciate that this tour not only accommodated for vegetarians but also chose options for me that were realllllly good. Instead of the cubano, I had these fried plantain cups stuffed with veggies. They were SO good and seasoned well! And the spinach and cheese empanada was also amazing. My friend who got the meat options also loved her food. This tour is the perfect way to learn more about Cuban history, the history of the neighborhood, see all the street art, watch a game at domino park, and experience some of the best food in Miami. I cannot recommend this enough!!!

What an experience…read more After staying in South Beach we decided to stay here. After getting dropped off checking in was super easy. Sebastian was our guy. He sat us down were given drinks and explained everything to us. We ended up getting upgraded to the 19th floor. I love that they have someone push the elevators for you and each elevator is specific so you don't have to wait much. Our room was amazing, spacious, stocked with all the goodies/amenities, and comfortable. I love that it had a walk in closet with a mirror. The bathroom had a large tub, seperate rooms for toilet for privacy, and large shower. There were separate his and her vanities with sinks. I also appreciate the makeup mirror and dyson hair dryer. The room was huge and bed was super comfy. I love the electronic drape curtains and balcony. Balcony view was insane overlooking the pool and beach. I love that there was a table and two super large comfy lounge chairs out there. There were two pools which had one that was adult only and one that allowed children. We spent two days at the adult only pool which included towel service. It was relaxing and beautiful. They have comfy lounge chairs which overlooks the pool and or the beach area. Service was topnotch everywhere. We did use the rolls royce courtesy drive. We ate breakfast there one of the days and their brunch buffet was quite good. We also enjoyed their bar on one night that had a nice vibe to it. In the lobby you can find a gelato stand where you can even sample different gelatos. We also had butler service but we didn't really use it. I honestly had the best time at this St. Regis location. The spot isn't super big but it had everything. I cannot wait to be back.

This was my favorite hotel we have stayed at! Definitely a quiet luxury experience. It is not the…read moreSouth Beach party scene. If you like luxury with the best service you have experienced then stay here. The staff treated us like family and seriously have never had better service. Our room was beautiful and quiet. We had a Rolls Royce car that is owned by hotel drive us to amazing dinners and fancy shopping across the street!! Beach is beautiful. Our stay came with chairs and the staff on beach was super accommodating! We had breakfast included with our package. The Greek themed on site restaurant had the best breakfast buffet! Beautiful pools. One is a child friendly pool and one is adults only. The spa is very nice as well! We loved the complementary champagne sabering each day at 6pm. We came for my husbands birthday and we both loved it! So many amazing restaurants nearby. We especially loved the Surf Club and Carbonne both need reservations early. Loved our patio overlooking the ocean!