South Florida Suggestions?
Jul 27, 2009, 8:29 am
#31
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: Delta DM, SPG Plat, Hyatt Diamond, MTA Rust, Hertz Five Star something or other
Posts: 2,858
South Beach
Had a fabulous weekend in South Beach even though it rained Saturday.
A couple quick recommendations/ comments.
Stayed at the new W South Beach and was upgraded to a gorgeous Oasis Suite which was very well appointed. Full hotel report w/ pics will be posted in the SPG forum. The scene at the W was a mix between young straights, NFL players and their entourages, some random families clearly there on SPG points and a decent contingent of gays. All the gays naturally ended up at the same side of the pool (the side that got sun all day long) so we met a bunch of great people..just sucks it was on our last day so we didn't go out with them.
Saturday- we were told by our friend NOT to go to Twist unless we wanted an STD. Naturally, curiosity got the best of us, so after cocktails and dinner we decided to go there to see what it was about. There is a front room which is just a tame bar for locals. BTW you can still smoke in Miami bars, which I hated. We then proceeded to the back bar which was basically a prostitution den. I don't want to violate any FT T&Cs, so maybe I'll just save the details for the next FT Do, but I'll just say we got an eyeful and had to leave before, as my friend had put it, anyone got an STD. It was very rowdy and it was still before midnight. The gays we met at the pool on Sunday apparently stayed until 5am. I hope they get a chance to visit a clinic this week!
As for the rest of South Beach, we were only there for a weekend so we just relaxed at the pool and had a fabulous dinner at Bond Street.
We got such cheap airfare to FLL, we got the car service Friday night for $80 all in and then took a cab from the hotel to the airport yesterday which was $76 without tip. Definitely recommend the Go shuttle airport service.
A couple quick recommendations/ comments.
Stayed at the new W South Beach and was upgraded to a gorgeous Oasis Suite which was very well appointed. Full hotel report w/ pics will be posted in the SPG forum. The scene at the W was a mix between young straights, NFL players and their entourages, some random families clearly there on SPG points and a decent contingent of gays. All the gays naturally ended up at the same side of the pool (the side that got sun all day long) so we met a bunch of great people..just sucks it was on our last day so we didn't go out with them.
Saturday- we were told by our friend NOT to go to Twist unless we wanted an STD. Naturally, curiosity got the best of us, so after cocktails and dinner we decided to go there to see what it was about. There is a front room which is just a tame bar for locals. BTW you can still smoke in Miami bars, which I hated. We then proceeded to the back bar which was basically a prostitution den. I don't want to violate any FT T&Cs, so maybe I'll just save the details for the next FT Do, but I'll just say we got an eyeful and had to leave before, as my friend had put it, anyone got an STD. It was very rowdy and it was still before midnight. The gays we met at the pool on Sunday apparently stayed until 5am. I hope they get a chance to visit a clinic this week!
As for the rest of South Beach, we were only there for a weekend so we just relaxed at the pool and had a fabulous dinner at Bond Street.
We got such cheap airfare to FLL, we got the car service Friday night for $80 all in and then took a cab from the hotel to the airport yesterday which was $76 without tip. Definitely recommend the Go shuttle airport service.
Jul 27, 2009, 1:49 pm
#33
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Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: check swarm
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Jul 27, 2009, 2:25 pm
#34
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 700
Their cuisine theme is (fake) Floribbean - but they have some of the worst service of any restaurant in the area (and that says a lot, considering it's South Florida we're talking about). I had no idea there were male dancers, or they were available for 'offsite fun' - are you sure you're not thinking of Johnny's (for chicken) or Boardwalk? 
I never go to Mangos, and generally avoid all the touristy places since I'm a local - I was just curious why others were turned off by Mangos.
I never go to Mangos, and generally avoid all the touristy places since I'm a local - I was just curious why others were turned off by Mangos.
Saturday- we were told by our friend NOT to go to Twist unless we wanted an STD. Naturally, curiosity got the best of us, so after cocktails and dinner we decided to go there to see what it was about. There is a front room which is just a tame bar for locals. BTW you can still smoke in Miami bars, which I hated. We then proceeded to the back bar which was basically a prostitution den. I don't want to violate any FT T&Cs, so maybe I'll just save the details for the next FT Do, but I'll just say we got an eyeful and had to leave before, as my friend had put it, anyone got an STD. It was very rowdy and it was still before midnight. The gays we met at the pool on Sunday apparently stayed until 5am. I hope they get a chance to visit a clinic this week!
Jul 27, 2009, 3:40 pm
#35
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
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Jul 27, 2009, 4:35 pm
#36
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: Delta DM, SPG Plat, Hyatt Diamond, MTA Rust, Hertz Five Star something or other
Posts: 2,858
I really want to go back again this fall/winter for a weekend. Our friends told us the Palace Hotel on Ocean Dr had an amazing Saturday afternoon drag show where the queens actually run out and stop traffic and do all these crazy stunts.
Jul 27, 2009, 5:17 pm
#37
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: Bonvoy Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, Hertz Gold
Posts: 1,386
Brian let me know next time you go, I have not been down to SoFL in almost a year! I would love to go check out Vlada Miami and the drag sounds like a blast as well.
