Hit The Road

The ultimate Miami travel guide: Do South Beach like a true Beach God — or at least a damn Kardashian

Miami's South Beach has been the object of celebrity, entertainment and musical affection since the '80s. After a recent trip to the 305, I’ve fallen in love with the sunsets, the year-round bikini season and the perfection that is Ocean Drive all over again.

My favorite places are guaranteed to give you all the spoils SoBe has to offer. A visit to these hot spots will ensure that you eat, sleep and party like the beach gods intended.

Where to stay
Soak in the neon-filled fabulousness of Ocean Drive at the Clevelander. Located in the middle of the Art Deco District's hustle and bustle, the Clevelander offers a 24/7 party equipped with all the go-go dancers, top shelf cocktails and bass you could ask for. The hotel’s unique bar patio attracts more than just hotel guests — Ocean Drive visitors always stop into the Clevelander for a good drink and an even better party.

STORY along with several other Miami nightclubs, stays open until 5 am. Party on.

For a more romantic escape to South Beach, stay at the ultra-luxe Ritz-Carlton, South Beach. Chic resort-style accommodations include personal shoppers, an elevated infinity pool and private beach cabanas. Observe the dazzling art pieces throughout the property (that total a cool $2 million) and treat your special someone to a swanky dinner at DiLido Beach Club.

Grab your closest friends for a weekend getaway at the Beacon. This boutique hotel located in the Art Deco District is ideal for the eager traveler who wants the full SoBe experience. Head to the beach in a quick minute (literally) walk from the lobby and spend your day sunbathing with some of Miami’s most beautiful locals and travelers alike.

Where to eat
Forget all the preconceived notions you may have about hotel restaurants. OLA is an upscale Pan Latin eatery that will take your taste buds on a trip across the Atlantic. Acclaimed Latin chef Horacio Rivadero designed a menu full of Caribbean, Spanish and traditional Latin flavors that give you the essence of the melting pot that is Miami. Try the crispy pork with mustard mojo or the Florida sweet corn empanada. You won’t be disappointed.

Indulge in the deliciousness of Italy at Fratelli La Bufala. Take a seat on the patio and people watch some of the most fabulous faces of South Beach while you listen to the exotic accents as they pass. Order one of the famed –– and authentic –– Neapolitan pizzas for a Miami meal you’ll never forget.

If you’re looking for a bikini-friendly brunch locale, choose Icebox Café. The price point, incredibly nutritious options and local ingredients make for an ideal brunch (or any meal) before hitting the beach. Don't miss “The Mess,” guava-filled French toast. The menu is so good, you may just forget how delish the specialty cocktails are.

Where to party
Strap on some beachy heels and head to STORY for a night you’ll remember forever. With elevated club levels, several VIP tables and an eclectic mix of DJs on any given night, STORY is the ideal place in true SoBe fashion. Are you always fashionably late? Not to worry, STORY along with several other Miami nightclubs, stays open until 5 am. Party on.

Revisit EDM-filled memories at Club Space. Mingle with dub step lovers from across the globe and dance to electronic hits all night long. Club Space brings you all the fun of a rager, minus the obnoxious partygoers and terrible outfit choices.

Famed Miami hot spot Mansion could help you rival your previous “best night ever.” Mansion offers private VIP rooms and tables, a noteworthy lineup of some of Miami’s best DJs, frequent celebrity guests and an overall swanky atmosphere fit for any music video.

Where to shop
A trip to the The Webster is the perfect dose of vacation retail therapy. This luxe boutique carries an inventory that rivals Barney’s and comes with a killer view. Splurge on labels like Alexander Wang, Valentino and Marc Jacobs before hitting the beach.

Take a family outing to Lincoln Road Mall for a fun afternoon of shopping. The abundance of unique shops, sidewalk cafes and lounges make this locale more than just your neighborhood mall.

Humor your inner fangirl with a visit to DASH. The Kardashian-owned storefront is full of cute fashions for the girl-about-South Beach and the staff is incredibly friendly, making it the perfect place to live out that fantasy you have about being the store manager while Kim and Kourtney are in town for a visit. Forgive us, but we just had to.

The Clevelander on Ocean Drive.

Courtesy of Clevelander Facebook

The Clevelander on Ocean Drive.

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ROAD TRIPS

7 quirky and unusual places to stay in the Texas Hill Country

Missing Hotel/ Facebook

Missing Hotel's cabins perch high on the hill tops.

For weekend warriors looking to escape Houston, the Hill Country offers more than just wine tastings and antique shopping. The rolling hills hide some of the most unique properties in the world. From safari ranches with rhinos to a life-sized bird's nest, these are the weirdest, wildest, and most unforgettable places to rest your head in Texas — because your hotel should be as memorable as your road trip.

Cypress Valley — Spicewood
If you've ever wanted to build a treehouse, but only had a few spindly saplings in your suburban backyard, this adventurous hideaway might cure some lifelong FOMO. With a winding tangle of rope bridges and trellises, the compound might look like a particularly elaborate rope course, but the rooms are more Jane than Tarzan. Snap a few shots of the distressed wood walls and oversized pendants for post-trip design inspo, then turn the cell phone off for the weekend.

Yes, you can sleep in this wagon.Barons Creekside/ Facebook

Barons CreekSide Glamping Wagons — Fredericksburg
Yes, playing The Oregon Trail video game caused a generation to distrust covered wagons, and the iffy salad bars at K-Bob's probably didn't help. These replica Conestoga settler's wagons don't have a risk of typhoid fever. The 220 square feet spaces have roomy showers, sinks, and all the conveniences of home. But guests will probably want to spend most of their time outdoors, lounging in a hammock near the fire pit.

Longneck Manor — Fredericksburg
You might expect to find goats, cows, and chickens on a Hill Country ranch. Longneck ups the ante with ambling rhinos and wagging Labradors. Founded by Rick Barongi, a former director at the Houston Zoo, the safari resort works with conservation groups to quell any Joe Exotic-style ethical concerns. Overstuffed furnishings and luxe linens give all the comforts of a high-end hotel, but there are some amenities that the Four Seasons can't replicate. The suite offers a private window into the barn, where baby giraffes happily munch on leaves.

Missing Hotel— Marble Falls
If Swiss Family Robinson's hardworking patriarch studied Modernist architecture, he might have drafted something like this Marble Falls enclave. The various cabins and geodesic domes may have urban niceties, but the canopy of old-growth trees is light-years from the hustle and bustle. Don't expect to make a stay into a working vacation — even the owners admit the Wi-Fi is spotty. Instead, give yourself the permission to forget about time by taking a dip in a private plunge pool or swaying along to a record.

The Diamond is Onera Fredericksburg's unique take on an A-Frame. Photo by Jeff Jones

Onera — Fredericksburg
This Hill Country resort is a CultureMap obsession, both for the breathtaking natural setting and the avant-garde architecture. In August, the spot debuted 23 new units with striking geometric forms that look more like minimalistic monoliths than buildings. Inside, the owners provide few distractions. Why nibble on tchotchkes when you can feast on spectacular vistas?

Skybox Cabins — Glen Rose
Although all of the cabins on this compound have charming themes, ranging from a tribute to 17th-century French pigeonniers to buzzy pollinators, the most coveted is The Nest. It isn't just a catchy name. Guests can actually perch in a human-sized aerie outfitted with pillows and twinkle lights. Bring up a portable speaker and cuddle into a tête-à-tête. Recommended listening: Billie Eilish's "Birds of a Feather."

Recharge your batteries at the Kerrville Texaco Station.Photo courtesy of Kerrville Convention and Visitors Bureau

Texaco Texaco Station — Kerrville
Yes, you read that right. You can actually spend the night in a repurposed Texaco gas station without having to wear a pair of coveralls. The 40s building is pure Americana, filled with quirky touches like a Dr. Pepper machine, a row of sporty vintage toys, and a trash can fashioned from a Mobil oil drum. And the recreational areas could be pulled straight out of Life magazine. Put on a bowling shirt and play table tennis or grill hot dogs inside a courtyard sodded with artificial turf.

hill country fredericksburg marble falls glen rose spicewood kerrville hotels glamping airbnbs travel

Hit The Road

The ultimate Miami travel guide: Do South Beach like a true Beach God — or at least a damn Kardashian

The Clevelander on Ocean Drive.

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