What's New

Miami

Miami is a city on the verge -- of everything. Whereas supermodels were once the city's cottage industry, today condo models are all the rage. Look at the skyline and you'll see what we mean. Still beautiful, especially at night and during sunset, the photogenic Miami skyline is peppered with cranes working hard to raise swank, zillion-dollar condos and hotels -- or, for the really trendy, condo-hotels for which buyers plunk down millions to live like Eloise in a bona fide hotel. A cash crop of hyperluxe hotels and restaurants have proven that, yes, people will spend thousands of dollars per night on a hotel room and $30 for a drink. Soon there will be more culture than what is dubiously found inside the city's nightclubs. The nearly $500-million Carnival Center for the Performing Arts is finally done and ready for its own close-up -- despite the fact that, in typical Miami fashion, they forgot to build a parking lot. But that's another story.

Where to Stay -- Miami's first Rosewood Resort, Acqualina, 17780 Collins Ave. (tel. 305/918-8000) opened in early 2006, featuring a 51-story Renaissance-inspired tower with 97 ultraluxe suites that have everything from Wi-Fi to iPods.

Regent Bal Harbour (tel. 800/545-4000), set for a late-2007 opening, has 17 stories, panoramic views of the Atlantic, and 1,650-square-foot guest rooms. The Regent South Beach, 1458 Ocean Dr. (tel. 305/674-4554), an 80-suite hotel, offers swank lodgings with a rooftop garden and haute eatery, Table 8, which opened with much fanfare in late 2006.

Not too far away is Le Meridien's first Miami property, Le Meridien Sunny Isles Beach, 18683 Collins Ave. (tel. 800/543-4300), a 25-story resort. It features a second Miami location of the swank Italian restaurant Bice, which should bring fine dining to the chain restaurant-dotted area.

NYC's hot meatpacking district Hotel Gansevoort has taken over the old Roney Palace Hotel at 23rd Street and Collins Avenue on South Beach. It plans a late-2007 opening as a 332-room boutique hotel with a rooftop pool, upgraded oceanfront pool deck, spa, beach club, and a block of upscale shops and restaurants including the legendary Mr. Chow.

Nearby, at 2201 Collins Ave., the W hotel chain plans to take over an old Holiday Inn and turn it into a 25-story hotel/condo with 511 units, trademark Bliss spa, two pools, and a Rande Gerber-owned hip hotel bar. Completion is slated for mid-2007.

The Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants Group has announced the construction of Solé on the Ocean (tel. 800/KIMPTON), a 250-room high-rise boutique resort on the ocean in Sunny Isles. The resort will have suites with floor-to-ceiling windows and Alba, a Mediterranean restaurant. Completion is slated for 2008.

Designer Todd Oldham, responsible for the whimsical decor of South Beach's The Hotel, has been tapped to redesign The Fairfax, 1776 Collins Ave. (tel. 305/398-7888), a 53-suite condo/hotel that will feature Enoteca Spiaggia, a spin-off of Chicago's acclaimed Spiaggia. Completion is expected for late 2007.

A Shangri-La Hotel is slated to open in Miami in late 2008. The 147-room hotel will be set on Watson Island, near Parrot Jungle Island, and will be the first hotel ever on that site. Chi, a spa using Chinese and Himalayan healing therapies, will be on-site.

Giuseppe Cipriani of the famous Italian hotel and Harry's Bar plans to transform the deco Saxony Hotel into a 170-room luxury condo/hotel. The Cipriani Resort and Residences South Beach is expected to open in 2009.

Where to Dine -- Two more star chefs will soon call Miami home. David Bouley is taking the helm at the Ritz-Carlton South Beach, 1 Lincoln Rd. (tel. 786/276-4000), opening his first signature restaurant, David Bouley Evolution, outside of Manhattan. After much anticipation, the restaurant opened in late 2006 and was definitely worth the wait.

Over at the brand-new Regent South Beach, 1458 Ocean Dr. (tel. 800/545-4000), L.A.'s golden child, Govind Armstrong, debuted his Miami branch of the hauter-than-thou Table 8 eatery in 2006. Another star chef, Michelle Bernstein, opened Michy's, 6927 Biscayne Blvd. (tel. 305/759-2001), a 100-seat bistro and raw bar in the Biscayne Corridor.

The restaurant that created the most buzz, however, was Karu & Y, 71 NW 14th St. (tel. 305/403-7850), a flashy, $25-million restaurant, bar, club, and performance venue on the edge of Miami's sketchy Overtown neighborhood where tabs run upwards of $200 per person, or if you're just drinking, $20 a drink and higher.

After Dark -- Over the causeway, a burgeoning nocturnal buzz is emanating from the once-desolate area of downtown Miami off Biscayne Boulevard.

Arturo Sandoval, the world-renowned jazz musician, composer, trumpet player, and pianist, opened his own jazz club in Miami Beach in the Deauville Beach Resort. The Arturo Sandoval Jazz Club, 6701 Collins Ave. (tel. 305/403-7565; www.arturosandovaljazzclub.com), showcases the talents of the Grammy Award-winning musician, as well as internationally recognized headliners such as Roberta Flack, Dee Dee Bridgewater, James Moody, and Roy Haynes.

The Keys

A five-star oceanfront hotel and condo is in the works in Islamorada. Ocanos Resort & Marina is being developed on the beloved site of the Holiday Isle Resort with a targeted opening of early 2008. The resort will offer 151 suites with ocean views, an 11,000-square-foot spa, restaurants, and a world-class marina for deep-sea and back-country fishing.

Nature lovers can slip through the silent backcountry waters off Key West and the Lower Keys in a kayak, discovering the flora and fauna that make up the unique Keys ecosystem, on Blue Planet Kayak Tours' (tel. 305/294-8087; www.blue-planet-kayak.com) starlight tour. All excursions are led by an environmental scientist. The starlight tours last between 2 1/2 and 3 hours. No previous kayaking experience is necessary. Cost for the guided kayak adventure is $40 per person.

Worried about the weather? Learn about Florida's tropical climate during a free weather education tour led by a meteorologist at the new, 8,000-square-foot, $5.1-million National Weather Service forecast office, 1315 White St. (tel. 305/295-1316; www.weather.gov/keywest), in Key West. Each tour begins in the facility's lobby, where participants can view monitors that show current weather conditions in the Keys, forecasts, tidal data, radar and satellite images, and weather education videos.

Chef James "Shadow" Henahan has brought his world-class skills to the new restaurant at Tranquility Bay Resort, MM 48.5 bayside in Marathon (tel. 305/289-0888). Butterfly Café features Henahan's take on island cuisine, with a focus on quality and local ingredients, including fresh-from-the-dock seafood. Main courses such as sugarcane-spiced glazed dolphin, horseradish-crusted Florida grouper, Caribbean seafood paella, or Cuban spice grilled double-cut pork chops are favorites of locals who have discovered Shadow's culinary artistry.

Motivational guru, author, and part-time Key West resident Pat Croce has expanded his Pirate Soul Museum, 528 Front St. (tel. 305/292-1113; www.piratesoul.com), which contains nearly 500 authentic buccaneer artifacts, with the addition of the pirate-themed Rum Barrel restaurant and bar. Located next-door to Pirate Soul, the Rum Barrel evokes the atmosphere of a tavern from piracy's golden age (1690 to 1730). The restaurant opened in February in conjunction with Pirate Soul's debut of more than a dozen rare nautical artifacts, including an 18th-century spyglass and a bronze astrolabe from around 1563.

The Gold Coast

While the Gold Coast's beaches remain less congested than those in Miami, the area isn't impervious to development -- especially when it comes to resorts, restaurants, and nightlife.

Where to Stay -- Still under construction is Florida's first St. Regis Resort (tel. 954/568-4623), a $135-million, 23-story luxe property in Fort Lauderdale with nearly 200 rooms, a gourmet restaurant, an air-conditioned walkway to the beach, a massive spa, and more. It is scheduled to open in mid-2007.

In early 2008, the W Hotel (tel. 954/525-8133) will open on Fort Lauderdale Beach. The $220-million boutique-hotel-condominium features the usual W Hotel bells and whistles, including the signature bar and restaurant.

Donald Trump is converting a private condo on Fort Lauderdale Beach into the Trump International Beach Club. True to Trump's character, some of the 14-story building's suites will be available for purchase. Opening is slated for mid-2007. Construction has also begun on the Trump International Hotel & Tower Fort Lauderdale, a 24-story building designed by world-renowned Michael Graves & Associates. The property will be composed of residences as well as hotel rooms, and its location will afford views of both the Atlantic Ocean and Greater Fort Lauderdale's Intracoastal Waterway. Completion is scheduled for early 2008. Also planned is Trump Las Olas, a 95-unit resort on Fort Lauderdale beach scheduled for completion by fall 2008.

The Boca Resort & Club, 501 E. Camino Real (tel. 561/395-3000; www.bocaresort.com), has invested more than $100 million in renovations over the past 3 years. It has become a culinary destination with South Florida's first-ever outpost of NYC's meatpacking district mainstay, The Old Homestead.

The legendary Breakers Palm Beach, 1 S. County Rd. (tel. 800/833-3141; www.thebreakers.com), introduced The Ultimate Beachfront Experience. This comprehensive $15-million beachfront redevelopment includes magnificent new amenities and experiences designed to complement the half-mile private beach and the resort's existing Mediterranean-style Beach Club with its three oceanside pools: a lap pool, main pool, and children's pool, and whirlpool spa.

Southwest Florida

Although Southwest Florida still rests on its natural laurels, it's not impervious to inevitable development, which has taken shape in the form of new museums, shopping centers, and hotels.

Waterside Shops at Pelican Bay, 5415 Tamiami Trail (tel. 239/598-1605), is still undergoing its extreme luxury makeover, bringing in a selection of high-end stores, including Tiffany & Co., Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Coach, Gucci, Nordstrom, and more. While many stores are open now, anchor store Nordstrom, as well as several specialty boutiques, are expected to open in 2008.

The Children's Museum of Naples (www.cmon.org) is scheduled to open in 2008 with a unique array of quality, interactive educational experiences for children. The museum is located in North Naples Regional Park, a new Collier County public park that will also have a water-park attraction, nature trails, and extensive team sports facilities.

The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club, 851 Gulf Shore Blvd. (tel. 239/261-2222), has finished a multimillion-dollar renovation that includes a brand-new lobby as well as room enhancements. Suites in the beachfront resort's Cabana Wing now have new tiles and redesigned, larger bathrooms. The Registry Resort & Club, a Naples landmark for 20 years, is now known as Naples Grande Resort & Club, 475 Seagate Dr. (tel. 888/422-6177), which has brand-new boutique-hotel bungalow suites, a Golden Door Spa, poolside cabanas, and soon, a branch of the bawdy, risqué steakhouse, The Strip House.

Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort, 560 S. Collier Blvd. (tel. 239/394-5000), has a brand-new spa scheduled to debut in late 2007.

The Tampa Bay Area -- The beloved Clearwater Beach Hotel has been taken over by a luxe hotel group and is scheduled to open in mid-2007 as the swanky Sandpearl Resort, 470 Mandalay Ave. (tel. 800/572-1882), a 253-room resort with views of the Gulf and situated on 5 1/2 acres of Clearwater Beach front.

Busch Gardens Africa, 3000 E. Busch Blvd. (tel. 888/800-5447; www.buschgardens.com), has premiered Pirates 4-D, a swashbuckling 4-D comedy adventure starring Leslie Nielsen, which combines the latest 4-D special-effects technology with multisensory theater effects.

Lowry Park Zoo, 1101 W. Sligh Ave. (tel. 813/935-8552; www.lowryparkzoo.com), introduced the rare African shoebill stork, a new African safari tram-style tour, and a new dining option, The Garden Grille inside the zoo's front gate.

Walt Disney World (WDW) & Orlando

Disney World's recently revamped website (www.disneyworld.com) now offers "My Disney Vacation," a helpful online tool that enables you to plan every aspect of your Disney vacation. You can even create your own set of customized park itinerary maps (the process can take up to 4 weeks -- allow sufficient time when having them mailed to your home). They make a great free souvenir.

Where to Stay -- Universal Orlando's Hard Rock Hotel (tel. 407/503-2000) recently completed a multimillion-dollar makeover. Guest rooms now include flat-panel TVs, chic yet comfy new bedding, new carpeting, docking stations for iPods, stereo hookups for MP3 players, minibars, and more.

At press time, the fifth and sixth floors of Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge (tel. 407/939-6244) were being transformed into Vacation Club Villas, which are expected to open in late 2007. Additional villas are being built adjacent to the lodge and will be completed by 2009.

Disney's All-Star Music Resort (tel. 407/939-6244) recently unveiled a number of two-room family suites; they include upgraded amenities, minikitchens, a separate master bedroom, and flat-screen TVs.

One hotel warning: Looking for Disney brochures at your hotel? Don't bother unless you're staying with the Mouse himself. Brochures have been pulled from area hotels and businesses and are only being distributed to the WDW resorts, WDW's "official" and "good neighbor" resorts, and the Walt Disney World theme parks.

Where to Dine -- Recent additions to Orlando's dining scene include Tommy Bahama's Tropical Café & Emporium (tel. 321/281-5888), featuring island-inspired cuisine, a Mediterranean-style interior, and an inviting patio for outdoor dining. Those eating at Maggiano's Little Italy (tel. 407/241-8650) will appreciate the authentic home-cooked Italian fare and warm atmosphere. The Capital Grille (tel. 407/370-4392), an elegant and sophisticated establishment, combines a menu filled with dry aged steaks, chops, and seafood with an extensive wine list of more than 400 selections. All of the above new entries are located in Point Orlando on International Drive.

The NASCAR Sports Grille at Universal Orlando's CityWalk (tel. 407/224-3663) replaces the NASCAR Café. Its redesign includes several upgrades, the most noticeable of which are the open-flame grill, a new, more sophisticated menu, and an interactive video system at each table.

On a general dining note, in an effort to promote healthy eating habits, area theme parks are revising their menus and meals. Kids' meals at WDW now come with milk, juice, veggies, and fruits rather than the usual fries and soda (though fries and pop are still available upon request). Also, all WDW restaurants are in the process of becoming completely trans-fat free. Universal Orlando is following suit by offering healthier menu items and snack options throughout its theme parks. SeaWorld has also stepped up to the plate, revamping the menu at Mama's Kitchen, which is now dedicated entirely to healthy dining options.

Exploring Walt Disney World -- Nemo is making a big splash at Walt Disney World. At Epcot, The Living Seas pavilion has transformed and been renamed The Seas with Nemo & Friends. Replacing the old preshow edu-flick and hokey hydrolators is the new family-friendly ride, The Seas with Nemo & Friends. Gigantic "Clamobiles" take riders past undersea scenery that makes it seem as if the animated characters are swimming right alongside the aquarium's live inhabitants. Additional renovations include the enlargement of Crush's theater, home to the very popular Turtle Talk with Crush. At Disney's Animal Kingdom, Nemo takes center stage in Finding Nemo-The Musical, Disney's most impressive theatrical theme park production to date. It's a combination of creative costumes, a talented cast, one of Disney's most popular storylines, and a moving musical score.

At the Magic Kingdom, an array of live interactive entertainment has been added to the already impressive lineup. Captain Jack Sparrow's Pirate Tutorial (Adventureland) encourages pint-sized pirates-to-be to engage in swordplay (wooden of course) and other swashbuckling silliness with none other than the great captain himself (and believe me -- you'd be hard-pressed to tell the difference!). Let's Have a Ball! The Happily Ever "After Party" (Fantasyland) is a dance party of royal proportions -- and guests get the party started when they join in on the Lord and Ladies Limbo, Lucinda's Freeze Dance, Simon Says, and more. Prefer to parade about town? March right alongside Disney characters, marching bands, and floats in the Main Street Family Fun Day Parade.

Disney's Pirate and Princess Party made its debut in 2007 -- and joining the likes of Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party has become an annual after-hours event. Pirate coves and princess courts, quests for treasure, spectacular fireworks, and the Enchanted Adventures Parade are all part of the package.

Exploring Universal Orlando & SeaWorld -- SeaWorld has announced the addition of an innovative eco-themed water park. Now scheduled to open in 2008, the yet unnamed park is set to feature an array of unique interactive experiences that combine the ecological themes of SeaWorld, the naturalistic setting of Discovery Cove, and the fun and excitement of a water park.

The comedy, music, and multimedia theatrics of the Blue Man Group have come to Universal Orlando -- permanently. This dynamic and rather unique group now performs at Universal Studios in a new theater accessible from both Universal Studios Florida and CityWalk.

At Islands of Adventure, the High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride (Seuss Landing) is finally clonking and zonking along its track after years of sitting still. This kid-friendly ride, its track suspended high above Seuss Landing, takes you past several Seussian scenes and a slew of colorful characters before coming to a stop.

Elsewhere in Orlando -- The highly anticipated Ron Jon Surf Park (www.ronjonsurfpark.com), running slightly behind schedule, is set to open in late 2007 (about the time this book goes to print) at the Festival Bay shopping center. Surfers, whether beginners or experienced wave riders, are welcome. Three distinctive wave pools allow for three different experiences, whether you're body boarding or surfing.

Northeast Florida

With parking such a premium in historic St. Augustine, the city did something unprecedented and created a free parking garage for visitors. The Historic Downtown Parking Facility is behind the visitor center on Castillo Drive.

Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, 8605 Zoo Pkwy. (tel. 904/757-4462), has completed the $6.7-million, 2 1/2-acre Kids' Zone, featuring a splash zone area that incorporates life-size models of Florida's coastal animals, including whales, dolphins, and manta rays.

The Hilton Jacksonville Riverfront, 1201 Riverplace Blvd. (tel. 904/398-8800; www.cpjacksonville.com), was converted to the Crowne Plaza Jacksonville Riverfront in March 2006. Through this change, the property will undergo a $3-million renovation of its meeting space, public areas, and sleeping rooms. The Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, 225 E. Coast Line Dr. (tel. 904/588-1234; http://jacksonville.hyatt.com), has undergone an $11-million renovation that has refurbished the lobby area, all restaurants and bars, and the front desk. The rooftop health club and pool deck have completed renovations and both areas received new equipment.

Northwest Florida: The Panhandle

Portofino (tel. 850/916-5000), a $250-million residence and resort community on Pensacola Beach, completed its fourth and fifth towers. The development features five 21-story towers, a 20,000-square-foot, $4.5-million European spa, gourmet bistro, heated Olympic pool, lounge, tennis courts, and many other amenities. The Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort (tel. 800/277-0800) has finally completed its 10-year, $400-million redevelopment plan that includes new stores and restaurants, a new beachside condominium, the renovation of the Bayside Inn, and two new Marriott-branded properties. Extensively renovated in the summer of 2005 by original course architect Tom Jackson, Sandestin's Baytowne Golf Club, twice hailed by Golf Digest's "Places to Play," has reopened.

Construction has begun on Hotel Saba (tel. 800/310-5768), a 56-room boutique hotel in Rosemary Beach's Town Center. Completion is expected in 2008.

After nearly two years of ongoing recovery efforts, a completely restored Boardwalk and Pier on Pensacola Beach is expected to reopen this summer. Hooters, Bamboo Willie's, and Alvin's Island gift shop are currently open, while other retail and restaurant spots should have a late-2007 opening.