This Thanksgiving I was thankful for my family, doggie, friends, and my escape to Miami at the Thompson Hotel Miami Beach. It was like summer fun all over again at this hip and family-friendly boutique hotel that made the whole happening family happy.
We entered into the lobby to see bright and beach themed décor under a beautiful, glowing chandelier and great people watching. After a sunny Miami greeting, we went up to our stylish room and soaked in the wrap around balcony with ocean views. I made myself cozy on a lounge chair next to Mommy and then spotted the pools and beach down below and we were off.
The hip resort was compact and beach chic so it was easy to explore it all: Fine dining restaurants, two pools outfitted for endless fun, an open-air, rooftop spa, and a stretch of pristine, Miami beach. Mommy and Daddy loved the minimalist sophistication (whatever that means) but I loved the bright colors and fun everywhere.
The hotel had two kid-friendly pools and private beach access was literally across from the pool. The pools had loungers, lots of toys and sometimes musical entertainment especially for me. And they even served my signature virgin Miami Vice drink poolside. Cheers!
But the beach was incredible and my personal favorite. There was soft sand and turquoise blue water to match the turquoise lounge chairs. I sampled the VIP cabana beds and listened to the waves crash on the shore, skipped up and down the beach, and waited for the staff to complete construction of the daily sand playground. It was worth the wait. It was outfitted with bumps and ridges and tunnels and pails and shovels to play with throughout. It was infinite fun in the sun! Our Miami exploration was focused on pool and beach but there are lots of fun sports events, Zoo Miami, Everglades, and the Seaquarium close by, too.
After a day full of water adventure, I worked up an appetite! There were delicious, local flavors at Seagrape, the Miami celeb chef and James Beard Foundation Award-winning Michelle Bernstein restaurant. I especially loved the outdoor dining –it was like eating in an enchanted garden. There were chairs and loungers and fountains all around and made the view so much fun. It was my own tropical hideaway!
The grown-ups loved the new, trendy Asian-American eatery TALDE by Dale Talde (a “Top Chef” winner). It even had late night hours and guest DJs so Mommy and Daddy could have a happy hour or two between my bedtime and theirs. They told me that they loved the pretzel pork dumplings and branzino and then going to the 1930s House for bespoke cocktails in a scene-y setting. Whatever makes them happy.
And what a Happy Thanksgiving holiday we had in Miami at the Thompson. This beach babe can’t wait to come back and visit again soon…am I too young to be a snow bird?
To learn more, visit thompsonhotels.com!
Elle Belle is an adorable preschooler who lives in the Upper East Side of Manhattan with her magnificent mommy, dapper dad, and baby sister. She can be reached at ellebellenyc@gmail.com or like at facebook.com/ElleBelleNYC.
