The National Hotel

Finding Old Miami at The National Hotel

When I was a child, my yearly trips to Miami with my family were always filled with stories of the glamorous Miami of the past, a place where my grandparents used to take my mother and tío when they were little children. In the tales of my beloved Grandfather I could … Read more

Batch Gastro Pub

In the hospitality business there’s always room for a new idea. After all, that’s what draws the crowds. And if the idea is one that ups the fun quotient then bring it on. Batch Gastro Pub is on to something. Their ingenious table taps (7 in total throughout the place) … Read more

Tongue and Cheek, Miami Beach

You could easily blink and miss Tongue & Cheek, sandwiched between 3 other restaurants, 1 Greek and 2 Italian, in a kind’ve South Beach “restaurant row” strip mall.  Talk about competition. But don’t miss this place if you’re headed to hedonistic SoBe soon; it’s like nothing else in Miami. Situated … Read more

Franklin County, Florida’s Culinary Scene

Nestled in Florida’s panhandle is a place seemingly untouched by time – a place where fishermen head out each day for the perfect catch and communities have country music worthy names like Apalachicola and Alligator Point. This is Franklin County, Florida’s forgotten coast, home of the world’s smallest police station, … Read more

SushiSamba, Coral Gables, Fl.

The Squire has had a lifelong fling with SushiSamba, so much so that people were beginning to talk. How much further would things go?  For the uninitiated, Sushi Samba is a distinctive collection of restaurants that celebrate the culture and cuisine of Japan, Brazil and Peru. In a word or … Read more

When I say Coco, you say Key…Coco Key!

We arrive right in the heart of all the Orlando, Florida action – rides and attractions everywhere you turn, and the kids don’t want to leave CocoKey Water Resort.  Talk about location. This place is on International Drive, which is the main vein of all the fun stuff to do … Read more

South Seas Island Resort, Captiva Island, Florida

Family. Nature. Comfort.  These three words perfectly describe South Seas Island Resort, a three hour drive northwest of Miami on Captiva Island, accessible by car from Sanibel Island via Blind Pass Bridge.  Put all preconceived notions aside, this is no stereotypical Florida resort but one with a special natural beauty … Read more

Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort, Orlando, Florida

It had been a long day at Universal Studios when we walked up to the resort door.  We were all exhausted, the kids cranky, hungry and expecting to be “bored.”  All of a sudden we open the door and the kids barrel into the room, full of newfound energy, then … Read more

Best Beaches to Find a Celeb

It’s true that when the weather’s steamy, many celebrities choose to retreat to the private pools of their multi-million dollar estates. Others, however, seek fun in the sun on the sandy shore of a picture-perfect beach. Some, like Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale, build sand castles with their kids. Athletic … Read more

DK Eyewitness Family Guides

With the 4th of July behind us and summer in full swing, it’s time to get cooking on rounding up the kids and having some fun together. If, like us, you’ve been carefully studying options since spring and have organized that once in a lifetime trip to Rome, good for … Read more

The Winter Haven, Miami Beach

Like much of South Beach, The Winter Haven Hotel is a hot party scene with an exclusive lobby bar serving elegant cocktails to its guests and their friends, some in risqué beach attire.  But it’s not flashy, however, like its trendsetting neighbors and possesses a sort of understated elegance that … Read more

Blue Moon Hotel, Miami Beach

Miami, a beach paradise known for indulgent nightlife, a fabulous culinary scene and heavenly climate, attracts tourists from all over the globe.  It’s a place to indulge your every desire, an often exhausting task in this hedonistic destination, so finding the perfect hotel to retreat from all the play is … Read more

Casa Morada, Islamorada Key

Anticipation builds as I exit Miami’s frantic turnpike and begin my journey on U.S. 1 to the Florida Keys.  Soon the gawking billboards disappear and I find myself on a simple two-lane road with turquoise water on both sides.  I’m finding my way to Casa Morada, an all-suite boutique hotel … Read more

Celebrity Spring Break Locations

The March release of Harmony Korine’s crime thriller Spring Breakers saw Vanessa Hudgens and Selena Gomez playing against type as two college-age co-eds who decide to rob a Floridian convenience store in order to pay for their spring break vacation. Calamity ensues as the party girls are left to the … Read more

Winter Party, Miami

When the “Winter Party” people plan an end of winter party every year in Miami Beach, the word “party” is taken seriously.  This year no less than 12 parties were planned over a 5 day span. That’s an average of more than 2 parties a day in case you flunked … Read more