- By Ethan Holland
Miami’s one of those places you always hear about—beaches, parties, a bit of madness, and I figured it was about time I saw it for myself. I had 48 hours, a mate in tow, and zero plans other than chasing a good time. We checked into Generator Miami and let the rest figure itself out.
The Base – Generator Hotel, Miami Beach
Generator’s a proper find. It’s got that boutique hotel feel, but without the eye-watering price tag. It’s just off Collins Avenue, right in the mix but not too noisy. The lobby’s a decent spot…loads of people coming and going, a bit of a surf vibe to it.
Our room was clean, comfortable, and had everything we needed: decent shower, solid air con, and a bed that actually gave us a good night’s sleep, which is rare for a party city. The outdoor pool and bar area became a bit of a hangout for us, especially with a beer in hand before heading out.
On site, there’s a poolside bar and lounge called Driftway. It’s got a laid-back, tropical vibe. Good spot for a frozen cocktail or something stronger before a night out. We grabbed drinks there before heading into town; the margaritas and frosé are their thing, and they don’t disappoint.
Beach Walks & Stone Crab
We started the next day with a stroll to South Beach, about ten minutes on foot. Say what you want about Miami, but the beaches are world-class. Crystal-clear water, proper clean sand, and a few characters walking around to keep things interesting. We parked up for a bit, baked the old lobster bods, then wandered into town for lunch.
Joe’s Stone Crab came highly recommended, and for good reason. It’s been around for over 100 years, and the crab claws are unreal. Comes with this mustard sauce that you end up scraping the bowl for. We kept it classic with coleslaw and smashed a slice of key lime pie each before rolling out.
Miami After Dark – E11EVEN
Miami at night is next-level. We ended up at E11EVEN. It’s the kind of place that doesn’t really exist back home. It’s open 24/7, and it’s not just a club… there’s dancing, lights everywhere, acrobats flying around above the crowd. It’s full-on. The music’s loud, the drinks are strong, and somehow time disappears. We came out of there not quite sure what day it was, which is exactly what we wanted.
Final Word
Miami delivered. It’s got the sun, the beach, the late nights, and that proper “anything goes” energy. But it’s not just flash. There’s good food, easy-going locals, and a buzz you can’t fake. For 48 hours with your best mate, Generator gave us the perfect base. Comfortable, cool, and close to everything.
Would I go back? In a heartbeat. But maybe give it a week next time.
