6 reasons to visit Miami inspired by ‘Bad Boys For Life'

It goes without saying that the infinite sandy coastline is one of Miami’s best draws. Team this with its year-round great weather – it’s called the Sunshine State for a reason – and you have an excuse to don your swimwear and recline on the powder-soft sand from sunrise to sunset. South Beach, of course, is the most popular. Carefully positioned opposite Ocean Drive and its abundance of happy hours, bottomless brunches and cosmopolitan hotels, here you can continue the fun with a splash in the inviting ocean amongst other free spirits. Common with the ‘Spring Breakers’ this part of coastline is where you can expect the lively lot to bathe, where you’re guaranteed to make a new friend and take a few snaps for the ‘gram.

Further north along the coast of South Beach is 21st – 45th Street Beach. One for the locals, it also overlaps some of the city’s best hotels including Miami Beach EDITION and Faena Hotel. 

The boardwalk which lines the beach is ideal for early-morning jogs and lazy afternoon bike rides – or rollerblading for the more adventurous – and offers optimal people-watching opportunities.

WINGED BOOTS WISDOM:
You can’t visit Miami’s South Beach without exploring its colourful Lifeguard towers, but do you know why each hut is unique in colour and design? After Hurricane Andrew in the early 1990s, the first towers were designed and donated by architect William Lane and quickly became a characteristic of the city. More were created, some as a result of design competitions and others commissioned by local entrepreneurs and now there are 36 vibrant huts from South Pointe Park up to 87th Street.

Back to the latest blockbuster, Bad Boys For Life features a scene in Miami nightclub Zillion, where a simple ‘snatch and grab’ in true Bad Boys style is anything but and instead leads to a car and motorbike chase which, in our opinion, was probably one of the highlights of the film. However, the nightclub in question isn’t actually in Miami – instead, the Zillion scenes were set in Atlanta, as was the majority of the film. But the true essence of Miami is there – whether that’s at the hand of the director is beside the point. The pumping music; the choreographed routine that features a conga of friendly hostesses carrying champagne magnums attached to sparklers that’ll singe your eyebrows; the flashing lights; the overcrowded dance floor and the infectious energy of everyone under the same roof… this is Miami’s famed nightlife encapsulated in one scene. Sound like your cup of tea(quila)? Then be sure to head to STORY nightclub on Collins Avenue at South Pointe or LIV inside the popular Fontainbleau Miami Beach hotel. 

Big nightclub and queue lines aside, for a similar vibe with less fuss, make your way through the bars on Ocean Drive. Lit up with more neon signs than Las Vegas (almost), this is where Mike and Marcus decide to race at the beginning of the third film (one of the few scenes that are authentic Miami). 

When it comes to Ocean Drive night spots, our favourite is the Clevelander hotel that has a section for everyone. Enjoy a cocktail and watch the world pass by at the bar, move inside to watch live sport or venture deeper into the open-air club and mimic the dancers on the stage. 

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Release your inner senorita at Mango’s Tropical Café South Beach where live dance acts turn up the heat and the base beats have a certain Spanish influence. Try to nab a spot on the ground floor in the middle for the best views – we suggest ordering dinner for these prime seats – or move upstairs to the mezzanine. But don’t be fooled. This club isn’t all feathers and flamenco. On the first floor, there’s a side room that plays the hottest hip hop tracks while at the back of the ground floor there’s a disco area that spins the latest chart classics. 

It’s not usually our top reason to visit a charming American city, however sticking with the Bad oys For Life theme, Mike and Marcus in true style ruin a spa day for Marcus’ wife and daughter, which got us thinking… Miami actually has a lot of wellness options. Going hand in hand with its luxury hotel scene, the city has multiple options to relax, recharge and soak up your daily dose of zen.

If you’re looking for a high-end holistic approach to wellness, try Tierra Santa Healing House in Faena Hotel Miami Beach. From the lockers in the changing rooms through to the East Coast’s largest hammams, every aspect of this spa is deluxe – even the infused water tastes like it’s been dipped in gold. Much like the hotel’s forward-thinking, artistic ethos, the spa’s treatments are innovative and only use the very best skincare products. You’ll leave feeling like a new you.
 

Other great spa options include the Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Lapis Spa at Fontainebleau and Downtown’s Exhale Miami.

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If you’re keen to adopt the healthy Miami lifestyle the Aqualina Spa by ESPA is the closest you’ll find to a wellness retreat in the city. Day spa packages are available but where this resort really shines is through its curated programmes that include Ayurvedic-infused holistic therapies, yoga, Pilates, the latest revolutionary treatments, healthy nutrition and luxurious accommodation right on the oceanfront. 

Step aside Mexico, there’s a new destination wedding hotspot in town. Yes, it’s a bit of a curve ball but seeing Marcus’ daughter wed Reggie (do you remember him from Bad Boys II?) made us realise just how beautiful the Florida coast really is. Thanks to its year-round sunshine, ocean views and abundance of luxury hotels and private homes available to hire, the opportunities to say ‘I Do’ are almost limitless.

From intimate ceremonies through to over-the-top receptions, Miami has a venue to make every bride swoon. For a traditional beach experience where the ocean’s waves provide a complimentary wedding march, look at W South Beach. Much like the hotel groups quirky characteristic, luxury has no limits here, so if you can dream it, the skilled wedding planners will find a way to make it happen.

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Florida Statutes governs marriages within the state and those who are aged 18 or older can apply for a marriage licence. Non-US Citizens can obtain a marriage licence for $93.50. For more information on how to obtain a licence and the legalities around marrying in Florida, click here.

To check-out more reasons to visit Miami and discover our range of hotels, click here. Alternatively, to discuss your Miami holiday requirements, call one of our expert personal travel managers on 0203 816 0985 or submit an enquiry here.