What’s new in Miami

Last year, Miami was named as one of the world’s greatest places by TIME Magazine, and this year has seen Miami awarded the title ‘2023 Food City of the Year’.

Deserved accolades but Miami and the Beaches never get complacent. There is a host of recently launched or new happenings, attractions and experienced coming soon to South Florida.

International connections

Norse Atlantic Airways launched flights from London Gatwick to Miami in September. The Miami flights operate up to five times a week during the winter season and daily in the summer on 787 Dreamliner aircraft. www.flynorse.com

Aer Lingus restarted its direct flights to Miami, Florida from Friday, 28 October. The route operates three times weekly, as part of the airline’s winter schedule. Aer Lingus customers can fly to Miami, Florida for as little as £315 each way, including taxes and charges. Customers flying to Miami with Aer Lingus via its Dublin hub can experience the benefit of US Immigration Pre-clearance before they depart. https://www.aerlingus.com/html/en-US/home.html

Brightline’s Orlando Station opened in September. One-way fares between Miami and Orlando started at $79, with Premium seating beginning at $149. Premium tickets come with complimentary meals, a dedicated first-class lounge, priority boarding, and other features. This new station expands the Florida Brightline system, adding to the services already running between Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, and Orlando. gobrightline.com/orlando

PortMiami

It was announced in late October that PortMiami will welcome eight new cruise ships during the 2023-24 cruise season. Three of the ships that visited in October are Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Venezia, Oceania Cruises’ Oceania Vista, and Scenic Cruises’ Scenic Yacht II.

In November, three additional new ships made their way to PortMiami. These are Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Serenity, MSC Cruises’ Explora I, and Norwegian Cruise Line’s new Norwegian Viva.

In December, another new cruise ship, Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Grandeur will add PortMiami to its list of ports visited. Lastly, the biggest debut out of all the new cruise ships will be Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, debuting from PortMiami on January 27, 2024.

Destination News
Earlier this year, FIFA and Greater Miami and Miami Beach launched the official brand for the FIFA World Cup 2026, called #WeAre26, along with the Miami Host City logo. The campaign celebrates the unique aspects of each host city and features portraits of players from Little Haiti F.C., a free youth football club in Miami. A double-decker bus wrapped with the #WeAre26 and Miami Host City branding embarked on a tour across Miami-Dade County, visiting various locations and surprising youth football players with the opportunity to meet football legends. The launch signifies the countdown to the FIFA World Cup 2026, which will be held across three countries with 48 teams.

New dining in the Food City of th Year

Miami earned the prestigious title of “2023 Food City of the Year” from US food and beverage publication, Bon Appétit.

Hell’s Kitchen and Lucky Cat are set to open by Gordon Ramsay this autumn and early 2024 respectively. Hell’s Kitchen will mark the seventh edition of the fine dining concept locating itself at 300 SE 3^rd Street. While Lucky Cat Miami gets its inspiration from 1930s Tokyo drinking dens.

Miami Worldcentre plans to launch four new restaurants to join its impressive line-up. The upcoming restaurants are Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza, Burger Fi, Serafina Miami, and Sixty Vines. The restaurants will be a part of the 27-acre development, known as the largest real estate project in Miami.

Ogawa Miami opened in November 2023 and seeks to provide an authentic omakase experience. Ogawa, which translates to Little River is inspired by Kappo sushi traditions. https://www.ogawamiami.com/

Tala at 1 Hotel South Beach has been refurbished to focus on Mediterranean-inspired shared plates, crafted cocktails and entertainment served around comfy daybeds and soft pillows. The 50,000-square-feet outdoor feature also has a Saturday night party known as Tala Nights. https://www.1hotels.com/south-beach/taste/tala-beach

New Hotels

Flamingo Lodge & Restaurant recently opened at Everglades National Park. It features 24 new lodging rooms surrounded by the natural beauty of the Everglades with views of nearby Florida Bay. https://flamingoeverglades.com/flamingo-lodge/

Kimpton Surfcomber Miami, South Beach: Steeped in Art Deco glamour, the iconic Kimpton Surfcomber Miami South Beach is set to be reborn later in 2023, with the addition of a new rooftop pool and bar and 45 new guestrooms. Located just steps from the beach, the hotel is known for its stylish design and playful atmosphere. https://www.surfcomber.com/

EVEN Hotel Sweetwater – Doral expects to open in summer of 2024. The 125-room hotel will have a wellness edge for travellers and seeks to promote fitness with rooms featuring exercise equipment ranging from Peloton bikes to yoga mats. Guests can choose from a set of health-conscious meals and drinks from the EVEN Kitchen & Bar restaurant. https://www.ihg.com/evenhotels/hotels/us/en/reservation

Bulgari Hotel Miami Beach is scheduled to open in 2024 and will be the first ever Bulgari Hotel in the United States. The hotel will offer spectacular ocean views near the Miami Art Deco district and have around 100 rooms – most of which are suites and luxury facilities including a fitness centre, spa, outdoor swimming pool and a Bulgari restaurant and bar. https://www.bulgari.com/en-gb/stories/bvlgari-hotel-miami.html

Attractions

The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science in Maurice A. Ferré Park includes a world-class planetarium and aquarium, and is situated on four acres of bayfront land.

Frost Science, is an iconic part of Miami’s skyline with a free-standing, spherical planetarium, the 500,000-gallon, cone-shaped aquarium and an indoor-outdoor campus offering ample views of both Biscayne Bay and the city. One of the newest exhibitions at Frost Science is Sharks. The exhibition has life-size shark models on display, cultural stories that explore the history of the creature, and creative tactile displays. https://www.frostscience.org/exhibition/sharks/

Vivo! Dolphin Mall debuted this summer, consisting of 62,000-square-feet of dining and entertainment space including an expansive 30,000-square-feet al fresco plaza. Vivo! is the ultimate destination for entertainment and great food and drink. Vivo! is an all-encompassing central hub for lunch, brunch, dinner, nightlife, concerts, or a laidback hangout with friends and family.  www.vivodol

The Messi Experience is set to launch in April 2024 kicking off its world tour in Miami. This must-see attraction will take Leo’s fans on a journey through his life via experiential activities. Messi’s move to Miami has literally transformed MLS this year. Tickets are now on sale. www.themessiexperience.com

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