Welcome to Miami
For the ultimate fun in the sun head to Florida, where the party never stops and the sun always shines.
Words Jenny Rudd
The Betsy Hotel rooftop pool at sunset.Oh, hi there, passport, it’s been a while! As soon as the borders opened, I ran through my wish list for a dreamy April holiday. I wanted to learn from the biggest minds in the world of blockchain, and I wanted warmth. Miami has positioned itself as the global centre for Bitcoin, and has a growing reputation for its burgeoning food and culture scene. The white sandy beaches and tropical climate were very alluring, too, now that we’re heading towards winter.
For the past two years, we’d been using the booking.com app as it has a very flexible cancellation policy (looking at you, Covid), so that’s where we headed to check out hotels in Miami South Beach. There are masses of photos and reviews, which gives you lots of confidence to book somewhere perfect.
BETSY HOTEL, SOUTH BEACH, MIAMI
Betsy, darling, you are gorgeous! The hotel is total old-school glam in the best possible location. We could have spent the entire week within a five-minute walk of the hotel. The rooftop pool was like a scene out of a movie, looking towards the ever-sparkling ocean, with white umbrellas and crisply-dressed wait staff serving glasses clinking with ice and rum punch, sweet with Florida oranges.
Our suite overlooked the second swimming pool, set in a walled courtyard and flecked with blush-pink sun loungers, which matched the warm glow of the sun at sunrise and sunset. Art deco white tiling and curved lines met with modern tech in our bathroom - there was a TV screen built into the mirror above the sinks. We had lots of space with a separate living room decorated in wallpaper climbing with tropical ferns. Nothing was too much trouble for the friendly staff, and we were greeted each day in the lobby by the owner’s friendly dogs.
People watching is a full-time job in South Beach, and we were perfectly positioned on Ocean Drive, a pedestrianised road which runs along the oceanfront and is home to some seriously fun night life.
THE VILLA CASA CASUARINA
Just a few doors down from the Betsy is Gianni Versace’s famous home, where he was murdered on the steps in 1997. Now a hotel, the building has been through various iterations since it was first built in 1930 by wealth made in oil. We couldn't resist checking it out. You can stay in one of the 10 suites if your budget extends that far. We were happy to walk around and imagine the parties that Madonna and Princess Diana came to in the nineties. It’s a tourist trap, but well worth it.
ROSETTA BAKERY
We discovered this gem by accident. Driving down Collins Ave after we’d landed very early in the morning at the start of our holiday, we stopped at Rosetta to grab a coffee. I’m not sure how much butter and eggs these guys get through every day but we ate our fair share over the next week. The croissants were my kryptonite. And they accept Bitcoin over the Lightning Network, which made it our first ever Bitcoin payment in the real world!
LINCOLN ROAD
Plenty of choices here for shopping and al fresco dining. Day and night you can wander down the length of the road and eat somewhere different. Fairy lights in the trees, gurgling fountains, music and a lot of laughter fill the air. We kept it pretty simple with steak and salads and stayed until late, then browsed the shops. My favourite line of the week came from a deliciously loud and camp shop owner who was trying to sell me a sequined mini-dress: “It’s Friday night and the body knows it.”
lincolnroad.com
JOIA BEACH, MIAMI
There are plenty of beautiful people in Miami, with a particularly high concentration at Joia Beach. This super-chic beachfront space is perfect for all-day boozy sessions overlooking the Biscayne Bay, and a lively night swaying your hips on the beach to the beats of the coolest DJs. We visited with an old school friend who’s settled in Miami. She shared lots of hilarious gossip about the antics of celebrities letting loose over a few sunset cocktails. Bookings are essential.
7 MILE BRIDGE, FLORIDA KEYS
It’s only a couple of hours from Miami down to the chain of coral islands. Driving across the bridges between keys is magical, floating over an undulating blue blanket of sparkles. Pigeon Key, off the world-famous Seven Mile Bridge, is a little dot of land between Marathon and Duck Key. Bike along the old bridge to get there, or take a 10-minute ferry from Faro Blanco Marina in Marathon. There’s a one-hour guided tour to learn about the rich history of the island and its role in housing the railway workers who helped build the Seven Mile Bridge, an engineering feat which linked Florida to the Keys.
KEY WEST, FLORIDA KEYS
Drive as far as you can go across the bridges and you end up in Key West. Duval Street in the centre of town was alive with drag shows, weed shops, karaoke and live music. All the bars were open to the road with no windows, and conch fritter vendors sent out buttery seafood aromas into the tropical air. This is a place to be happy. Holiday-makers stay permanently lubed up, walking the streets with plastic beakers of margaritas and piña coladas. We stayed at the Mermaid and Alligator Guest House, which we booked on the fly with the booking.com app. We were drawn in by the photos of the pool shaded by palm trees. A great score!
Jenny’s stay at The Betsy Hotel and the Mermaid and Alligator Guest House was courtesy of Booking.com
Six sea-sational stays
With World Ocean Day just around the corner, Booking.com has compiled a list of sensational stays with breathtaking sea views that offer both luxury and sustainability to the eco-conscious traveller.
With World Ocean Day just around the corner, Booking.com has compiled a list of sensational stays with breathtaking sea views that offer both luxury and sustainability to the eco-conscious traveller.
Paku Palms
Covering more than 70 percent of the planet and home to the world’s incredibly diverse marine life, our oceans play an essential role in Earth’s ecosystem. World Ocean Day – held annually on June 8 – is marked to inform people of the major role the oceans have in everyday life and the impact human action has on its wellbeing.
According to Booking.com research a large majority (72%)* of Kiwi travellers confirm that sustainable travel is important to them, with 42%* saying that recent news about climate change has influenced them to make more sustainable travel choices. Additionally, two thirds (63%) of Kiwi travellers* say that they want to travel more sustainably over the next 12 months.
To showcase Earth’s beautiful oceans, Booking.com is sharing six incredible stays across the globe where sustainable efforts and stunning ocean views come together for the ultimate eco holiday destination. Besides offering breathtaking ocean views, these properties also have a Booking.com Travel Sustainable badge, meaning the properties have taken significant steps to operate sustainably, reduce their impact on the environment and engage more responsibly with the local community.
Situated on Om beach, this wellness sanctuary is built in harmony with nature, and with the earth and the ocean in mind. Guests can discover their inner self at the meditation deck on the cliff overlooking the ocean and take in the incredible scenery of the surrounding mountains. Being an active participant in the local community, SwaSwara’s kitchen cooks with ingredients sourced from local villages and from their own farms. Since fresh water is scarce in the area, the property gathers rainwater during the monsoon months and purifies it with a special system, consisting of three big reservoirs that can hold up to 4.8 million gallons (18 million litres) of water.
Renowned for its pristine beaches, misty forests and summer vibes, the Coromandel is an iconic holiday hotspot that never fails to recharge the soul. With more than 400 kilometres of dazzling white sand beaches, lounge in the sun as you catch some surf and enjoy the sound of the waves. A leisurely 15-minute stroll to the beachfront, Paku Palms is the go-to destination for those wanting to relax on a private deck with expansive panoramic views over the Coromandel Peninsula coastline and mountainous landscapes cloaked in native rainforests. This Travel Sustainable property also enables guests to book an array of eco-friendly tours and attractions around the Coromandel area. Ideal for travelling couples wanting to make the most of their holidays, wind down after a fun-filled day by soaking in the Balinese-style hot tub and enjoying complimentary continental breakfasts.
Offering spectacular views of the Indian ocean and the iconic UNESCO Heritage site, Galle Fort, this beautiful property is a perfect getaway for guests to relax and make their vacation dreams of sun, sea and palm trees a reality. Besides offering guests relaxation, the property has taken several steps to protect the environment and its community. This Travel Sustainable property invests a percentage of revenue back into community sustainability projects. Guests can arrange a tour organised by local guides and learn everything about the local ecosystems, heritage and culture or just get a bike to discover the surrounding area. Travellers can sip tropical cocktails by the pool overlooking the ocean, after a day exploring the stunning golden beaches and the colonial architecture of Galle.
The west coast of Portugal is a great destination for surfing with popular surf spots and incredible waves for all levels of surfing. Travellers can combine their passion for surfing with travelling more sustainably to maintain the beauty of the ocean, by staying at Noah Surf House Portugal, a Travel Sustainable property, which has taken several measures to reduce their ecological footprint - perfect for the 62% of Kiwi travellers* saying they would be more likely to choose a sustainable accommodation, whether they were looking specifically for one or not. With windows facing the water, this property has uniquely decorated rooms without air conditioning, utilising the cooling sea breeze instead. The hotel has solar panels that generate 70% of their water heating needs, as well as an organic garden with chickens that help with the composting process.
Romans Villa, Gansbaai, South Africa
Set in Gansbaai, 200 metres from Romansbaai Beach, Romans Villa is a beautiful boutique guest house on Cape Whale Coast. With a private veranda overlooking the water, this Travel Sustainable property offers an environmentally-friendly stay in a fishing town popular for whale watching, sourcing most of their food locally and providing their guests with information about local ecosystems, heritage and culture. This coastal destination in South Africa has been taking action to address plastic pollution over the past few years by installing drainage nets to catch waste.
Encantada Tulum, Tulum, Mexico
Situated on a pristine beach between the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve and Tulum National Park, Hotel Encantada is a tropical paradise committed to protect and preserve the beautiful destination of Tulum. Each room is decorated with local hand-made artwork and fabrics and guests can enjoy organic dishes made from local ingredients. Guests can enjoy serenity and relaxation during a natural spa therapy or a private yoga class overlooking the beautiful ocean.
With over 110,000 properties globally now being recognised for their sustainability efforts with a Travel Sustainable badge on Booking.com, there is more choice than ever when it comes to leaving a lighter carbon footprint by making more eco-friendly decisions for your next getaway.
Booking.com
Coast to coast
A family road trip across the Waikato results in a long weekend full of fun, adventure and even a little romance.
A family road trip across the Waikato results in a long weekend full of fun, adventure and even a little romance.
Words Hayley Barnett Photos Hayley Barnett and supplied
When you’re based on the golden shores of Papamoa it can be hard to find holiday destinations to beat our everyday living. With that in mind, my family and I decide that swapping white sand for the wild, rugged West Coast’s black sand is all that’s needed for a change of scenery.
It’s been a while since I visited the little town of Raglan. So long that I really don’t remember much of it at all. These days, I have a seven and four year old in tow, along with a grumpy 44 year old, and road trips can be a bit more of a challenge compared to the old carefree days. There’s food stops and toilet breaks to consider, and if you forget the kids’ sick bags, you’ll spend much of the trip trying not to throw up yourself. Needless to say, you have to plan carefully.
To break up the trip, we would need some pretty good distractions, and what’s more distracting for children (and 44-year-old Lord of the Rings fans) than a village made for Hobbits?
Hobbiton
We’ve whizzed past the sign for Hobbiton many times, mumbling that we must get there someday. Now, I can’t believe we waited so long. This extraordinary movie set is designed with such attention to detail that it’s hard to believe Hobbits are only a figment of JRR Tolkein’s imagination. At 12 acres, the sheer size of the place is impressive. A tour takes two hours and consists of a 20-minute break at the famed Green Dragon Inn where you get to try the delicious Southfarthing beer or cider, made by local brewery Good George. The set is located on a vast sheep farm owned by the Alexander family, who themselves help to set the scene as you learn how director Peter Jackson came upon the site, how the village was set up and all the hilarious stories that unfurled during the creation of a giant hobbit hole in the middle of the Waikato. The kids are entertained and it’s a great way to incorporate a little hike into a lovely sunny day.
Alpino, Cambridge
If you haven’t been to Cambridge lately, chances are you’ll be surprised at how much it’s changed over the years. The once-sleepy township that you simply drove through, and perhaps stopped at for a sandwich, is now a thriving hub for serious shoppers and foodies. One particular jewel in its crown is Italian eatery Alpino, situated in the historic old post office building. We stop here for lunch on our way through to Raglan and sit under their shady umbrellas on the street, perfect for people watching and pretending you’re in some quaint Italian village. Easy to do when you’re enjoying authentic Italian food. I can vouch for the ravioli and the kids can highly recommend the almost-authentic-but-perfect-for-kids Hawaiian pizza (and free ice cream cones).
Waihine Moe Cruises’ Sunset Cruise
Lucky for us, Karl’s father is down from Auckland and visiting Raglan. As soon as we arrive, we promptly leave, taking off on a romantic sunset cruise and surprising Granddad and his partner with the delightful task of putting the kids to bed. The weather is perfect, the water like glass, and although the crew assures us the sunset is usually much better, we’re treated to a beautiful skyline of pink and orange hues. The cruise takes you south along the Raglan Coast and ends up gliding past the famous Pancake Rocks, while feeding you fish’n chips from Raglan Fish and offering beverages from a stocked bar. The captain educates on the history of the area and throws out some fun facts, including the prices of each mega mansion you can spot. It’s my kind of history lesson. And it turns out the cruise is just the relaxing experience we need to prepare for our big day ahead.
Raglan township
There’s something special about Raglan that attracts people from all over the world and, as a result, it offers an eclectic mix of shops, eateries, bars and galleries. Its tiny township is only made up of a couple of streets but they’re brimming with creativity on a Saturday morning. Some particularly recognisable ventures were born here, like Raglan Surf Co, Raglan Food Co and Raglan Roast, to name just a few. It seems attaching Raglan to your name will give it instant recognition as being part of a rapidly growing creative business hub. We take a walk around the shops and discover everything from quirky secondhand stores, to trendy gift shops like Florals and Finds and sophisticated designer clothing stores like Atamira.
Rock It Kitchen
Sitting on the bank of a stream is an old woolshed that offers perfect dining for families. The expansive lawn gives kids and dogs plenty of space to run about while you sip your wine on the vine-covered deck. It’s perfect for an extended family lunch. The food is to die for and there’s plenty to suit all tastes. I try the fresh new poke bowl and Karl devours the bao buns. This renowned cafe is located just outside of town. It’s easy to find on the same road that heads out to the surf beaches.
Raglan Rock
Karl and I leave lunch to head next door to Raglan Rock. Raglan is an outdoor adventurer’s dream and this newcomer to the scene specialises in rock climbing, canyoning and caving. While I’m keen to throw myself over a waterfall, Karl suggests what he thinks is a more leisurely pursuit - mountain biking. And so I find myself pedaling up a mountain on a humid summer’s day, wondering if he might be regretting his decision - not that I’d dare ask. Despite the weather, our fitness levels, and that mountain being more of a hill, the course (Te Ara Kakariki) is full of exhilarating twists and turns and it’s only down the road from the Raglan Rock base, where we picked up the bikes.
The Workshop Brewing team
Workshop Brewing
One of Raglan’s newest and fastest-growing businesses is a brewery located in an old trucking depot just off the main road in town. It’s only a short stroll from where we’re staying, so we ditch the kids (again) and stop in to see what all the fuss is about. Workshop is made up of a few local guys who got together to create some amazing beer. One of them, Matt Williams, describes their core philosophical principals as genuineness, quality, sustainability and creativity, and on our visit it’s evident that the boys have achieved all four. Matt takes us on a journey from his days living in Tofino, Canada, where the seed for the business was planted in his mind, to how fate threw the boys together once back in his hometown. Spoiler alert - they end up in an old workshop finally realising their combined dream of creating Raglan’s first local brew.
Offering a lager, a ‘Raglan’ pale ale and a particularly delicious APA, the team are quickly outgrowing their workshop and have plans to take over more space in the near future. You can check out their cute little bar once Covid restrictions are relaxed and cast your eye over some seriously cool artworks from a stack of local artist friends on display all around the brewery. It really is a feast for the senses.
Hamilton Gardens
When I suggest a visit to the gardens on the way home no one seems overly enthused. The weather is about to pack it in and everyone’s a bit tired from the weekend. But these aren’t just any gardens and I’m confident everyone will perk up once we enter the enchanting world that is Hamilton Gardens. And I’m right, of course. This free attraction is focused on the different types of garden design. There’s New Zealand’s first traditional Maori garden, the Japanese Garden of Contemplation, the Italian Renaissance Garden, and the kids’ favourite - the Surrealist Garden (aka Alice In Wonderland). You could spend all day floating through the 21 gardens - we only manage to get through six in an hour before hitting the cafe. I highly recommend staying for lunch after working up an appetite on a walk around the gardens. The menu is impressive and the food will definitely hit the spot for adults and kiddies alike.