Miami Nice

On a recent trip to Miami, I was able to experience a side of the city that I was very unfamiliar with. I visited South Beach a few years ago, but never knew about the hidden treasures located in the Downtown area until now. From hip rooftop hotel pools to trendy restaurants and lounges, this up-and-coming area is becoming the new place to be. During my visit, I stayed at the Epic Hotel, a Kimpton Hotel, which opened in Dec. 2008. There, I enjoyed lounging near the 16th floor rooftop pool, eating delicious food at Area 31 restaurant, and taking in the gorgeous views from my room’s balcony. My favorite part of the trip was learning about the new Exhale Mind Body Spa, which is expected to open in early 2010. The spa, like the other Exhale locations nationwide, will offer a variety of body therapies, skincare programs, fitness classes, and nutrition programs. Even though the spa is not yet open, guests can enjoy select spa services, such as the  Fusion Massage ($85, 30 minutes; $120, 60 minutes), in the comfort of their hotel room or in an outdoor poolside cabana. The anticipation of the new state-of-the-art spa is sure to have Epic guests waiting to exhale.