This Sushi-Centric Hotel Has Everything You Seek in a Miami Beach Vacay
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After almost a year apart, hours of FaceTime, and roughly a thousand texts, my cousin/bonus sister/BFF decided it was time to drop the virtual storytelling and finally get together for some offline experiences (read: head to Miami Beach and tear up the town).
When the Nobu Hotel Miami Beach offered to host us, we couldn't pass up the opportunity. I had never once been to Miami, but I always imagined the city to be the motherland of girls’ trips, bachelorette parties, and BFF vacays based on the photos alone. We packed our coordinating outfits: Allll the neon silk lewks, strappy heels, and bright bikinis, along with SPF 70+ for a proper weekend away.
Not gonna lie, the Nobu name itself is what really sold me before I even booked my flight. Celeb spotting is my favorite sub-sport, so I'm *very* familiar with the usual clientele of the standard Nobu restaurant scene (the KarJenners and Biebers are big fans of the Malibu location, so ya never know who's gonna be there). Plus, I freakin' love sushi, and wasn't going to pass up eating at one of Nobu’s outposts.
So without further ado, check out the deets of our ah-mazing time at the Nobu Miami. The martinis! The sashimi! The spa's seaweed body wraps! Ahem, we basically vacationed like I imagine all Hollywood royalty does when in South Beach.
(P.S. The writer received a comped stay/meals/spa treatments/experiences in order to write this review.)
Stay
Nobu Miami Beach Hotel: Located in the Mid-Beach neighborhood on Miami Beach, this was the prime locale for my first trip to the 305 (er, techically it's the 796). The property has four pools, a beachfront for guests, and two restaurants including its namesake sushi mecca, the world-famous Nobu.
The interior of the hotel reflects the Nobu ~vibe~ with its Japanese-inspired paper light fixtures, cherry blossom wallpaper, and seagrass-textured walls. The rooms are cool and relaxing, free of the in-your-face colors typically found around the city.
The chill aesthetic made it easy to unwind after a night out, even though the party continued outside without us. We made great use of the room's private balcony, taking sunset selfies and ordering room service breakfast alfresco.
Play
Esencia: Nobu’s sushi motif also includes their spa, where they offer an omakase-style treatment menu. They have three experience options: Energize (which includes a seaweed body wrap), Rejuvenate (a facial), and Breathe (a massage), all of which include another mini treatment before and after the main course. I chose Breathe, which consisted of a lil sauna sesh to release some stress, followed by a 50-minute massage, and finished with a calming herbal tea in the spa's relaxation room. After about an hour and a half, I left feeling chiller and more limber.
The beach cabanas: We spent the following two days of our trip soaking up as much sun as possible. We reserved a beach cabana right on the shore for a few hours where we sipped spicy margs and snacked on shrimp ceviche. The cabana reservation was definitely the move because the hotel operates at such a high occupancy. (For that reason, definitely make a res before dining out.)
Poolside lounging: The pools were essential during lunchtime, since we were able to order guac, flatbreads, and *crisp* white wine directly to our pool chairs. While the hotel is family-friendly and great for kids, we stuck to the adult pool so I could sip by Sauvy B in silence.
Eat
Nobu Miami: We kicked things off with their legendary lychee cocktails—my cousin sipped their signature lychee martini, while I chose a refreshing on-the-rocks version. The jícama and raw salmon app is a must-try, not to mention Nobu's famous yellowtail sashimi. Oh, and don't get me started on the unforgettable tuna and crispy rice dish. But the incredible eats didn't end there: Our final signature dish, the grilled sea bass, didn't disappoint. (Side note: My cousin, a Real Housewives stan, told me that this dish had its own storyline in season 16 of the Real Housewives of Orange County , it's *that* good.) After copious amounts of cocktails and seafood, we capped the meal off with champagne and a chocolate churro dessert.
Ocean Social: This gem over at the nearby Eden Roc Miami Beach hotel was another culinary highlight of our stay. The menu is fish-focused with plenty of veggies in the mix too. We ordered tuna tartare, an endive salad, and potato gnocchi. While the food was bomb (that's a given), the two best reasons to dine here are the location—it’s situated smack-dab on Ocean Drive—and the espresso martinis. Need I say more?
Are you thoroughly convinced to hit this place up yet?! 😏
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