Great Eats: Miami, Florida

Miami, Gateway to the Americas, is blessed with a spectacular array for cultures and locales that truly make it one of the world’s most fascinating dining destinations. From glitzy South Beach and artsy Coconut Grove, to old world Coral Gables and the new Design District, culinary adventurers will find an endless lineup of colorful and innovative restaurants to match any mood. Next time you’re in town try out one of these local faves…

Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink
130 Northeast 40^th Street

This unpretentious café has gained a reputation for its fresh, seasonal New American cuisine—as well as for putting the Design District on the map as Miami’s hot new dining destination. Michael Schwartz, owner and chef, was honored in 2010 with the prestigious James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef: South. From snacks to extra-large entrees, Chef Schwartz creates innovative dishes for lunch and dinner, organizing them by the size of the plates. Prices are reasonable, so you can make this stop for a quick bite or a three-course dinner.

Joe’s Stone Crabs
11 Washington Avenue

No visit to Miami is complete without a trip to Joe’s Stone Crabs. The South Beach favorite has been an area fixture since 1913 and as the name suggests, it is the place for stone crabs! Open for lunch and dinner during the stone crab season (October 15^th to May 15^th), Joe’s is also open for a short summer season from May 18^th to July 31^st, but only for dinner. Of course the crabs are the main event, but don’t miss Joe’s sweet potato fries or heavenly key lime pie! Even with several spacious dining rooms and efficient service, expect a bit of a wait as this restaurant is notoriously popular. Have a cocktail at the bar and take the opportunity to see and be seen!

Otanique on the Mile
278 Miracle Mile

Listed as one of the top 10 restaurants in Miami, Otanique on the Mile is for lovers of flavorful, tasty tropical cuisine. Highly-acclaimed owners/chefs, Cindy Huston and Darius Shirley, create what they call “Cuisine of the Sun,” dishes infused with the spices and aromas of the Caribbean. The focus is on seafood; however there is a wide range of choices on the menu, like jerk pork chops and rum-braised short ribs. The tropical desserts are a cultural expedition in and of themselves. After a lunch or dinner in this lively restaurant, take time to stroll around picturesque Coral Gables.

CVI.CHE 105
105 North East 3^rd Avenue

CVI.CHE 105 invites diners to experience exquisite dishes infused with Chef Juan Chipoco’s unique style and passion for his homeland Peru. Located in downtown Miami, within walking distance from Bayfront Park, as well as a short drive from the Performing Arts Center and American Airline Arena, this modern chic restaurant has a reputation for great service as well as a delectable food. Lovers of ceviche (typically made from fresh, raw fish marinated in citrus juices) will enjoy the varied selection on the menu.

Havana Harry’s
4612 South Le Jeune Road

Havana Harry’s is an unpretentious modern restaurant that features delectable Cuban/Latin American cuisine at a great price. An ideal place for family gatherings, the servings are substantial, so bring an appetite! The guava chicken and lechoncita (shredded pork and grilled onions with mojo sauce) are regular favorites!

For more information contact your local Boscov’s Travel Specialist, email travelrequest@boscovs.com or call 800-755-8020.

Opulence Defined: 5 Luxe Getaways

Today’s discerning travelers expect much more than just the run-of-the-mill hotel service and amenities—and rightly so.  Fortunately, many properties are vying to capture their attention with cultural are programs, family-friendly packages, multi-million dollar refurbishments, incredible tennis and golf facilities, and so much more.  Now, choosing where to stay may come down to simply selecting which features you find most appealing.  To start, check out these hand-selected luxury hotels and resorts…

The Fairmont Beijing · Beijing, China

                One of China’s most sought after hotels, the Fairmont Beijing welcomes guests to the heart of the capital’s bustling business district.  Surrounded by Fortune 500 companies and premier office towers, the hotel is located across from renowned shopping at the local Pearl and Silk Market.  The hotel’s gate-form-architecture showcases natural light-filled interiors accented by contemporary Chinese artwork.  Guest rooms and suite interiors blend traditional and contemporary Chinese style with floor- to-ceiling-windows and state-of-the-art amenities.  Original dining concepts and dishes include the chic Lunar 8—serving renowned crispy Peking Duck—to delicious Wagyu beef at The CUT and outstanding bubbly at the seductive Champagne Bar.  Spanning three levels on the sky bridge, the Willow Stream Spa provides a tranquil urban getaway complemented by a state-of-the-art fitness facility and yoga studio.

Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel · Santa Monica, California

                With its sunny beachfront setting and stunning ocean views, Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel pairs laid-back luxury with contemporary Southern California comfort and gracious hospitality.  Located in the heart of Santa Monica, the hotel has 32 rooms, including 15 one-bedroom suites and four custom-designed luxury suites.  Hotel features include an ocean view pool, direct access to Santa Monica Beach and close proximity to the Santa Monica Pier and Third Street Promenade.  At Ocean & Vine, experience contemporary Californian cuisine which highlights locally-caught seafood, Farmers’ Market vegetables and expertly paired wines.  Visit Papillon Lounge to enjoy a stellar selection of Loews Signature Cocktails while soaking in a magnificent sunset over the Pacific.  For ultimate relaxation, the hotel’s Ocean Spa & Fitness has recently undergone a complete transformation to feature eco-friendly design elements to keep you feeling relaxed… naturally.

Hotel Negresco · Nice, France

Individually decorated to reflect the most significant periods of French art and history, Hotel Negresco’s 125 pet-friendly rooms and suites feature the latest technology, a wide collection of furniture from Louis XIII up to Art Déco, and warm colors.  Fresh from an extensive six-month renovation, the Negresco features a new business center and a new executive 5^th floor with private access and check-in, lounge area, new rooms and suites, and exclusive servies.  The Façade and Gustave Eiffel glass dome of the Salon Royal (listed as a historic monument) have also been completely refurbished.  For superb dining, the hotel’s Chantecler restaurant, decorated in a Regency style with 18^th-century woodwork, is one of the finest in Nice.  And Brasserie La Rotonde, an informal brasserie, has been redesigned with a new terrace overlooking the Promenade des Anglais.

The Setai · Miami Beach, Florida

Nestled in the heart of Miami’s effervescent South Beach, The Setai presents 85 rooms and 45 suites highlighted with Dux beds, Illy espresso machines, Bose surround-sound entertainment systems, flat-screen televisions, high-speed Internet access and more.  The Setai’s Grande Suite features over 3,500 square feet of grandiose living space; and the penthouse exhausts superlatives with over 10,000 square feet of space complete with a private butler.  The Spa and the Setai transports guests to the Pacific Rim with soothing treatment suites specifically outfitted to ensure guests receive a tailored therapeutic experience with tranquil views of the pool and ocean.  Whether dining at the trademark Restaurant, with its enticing Asian cuisine, or The Grill, with its rustic environs and fine offerings and wine, guests will experience miami’s most spectacular cuisine at any of the Setai’s superb dining venues.

Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park · Chicago, Illinois

A style icon, the Fairmont Chicago rests near legendary Grant Park and vibrant Millennium Park, the Art Institute and Michigan Avenue’s shopping playground.  Accommodations show off contemporary furnishings in earthy shades accented with colorful throw pillows.  Marble-tiled bathrooms offer separate tubs and showers with cascading rainfall showerheads.  Rooms include a 42-inch flat-screen TV, iPod docking station, dressing area with a large closet, high-speed wireless internet access and stunning lake-front views.  Fairmont Gold, a hotel within a hotel, offers exclusive service with a private lounge.  At mySpa, personalized therapies and treatment rooms include a wide array of music choices plus iPod docks.  The hotel’s restaurants feature local and organic ingredients.  Aria serves luscious New World Asian cuisine; While Eno offers nearly 500 wines and 35 different cheeses accompanied by dried fruit, honey and nuts, and handmade chocolate truffles.

For more information contact your local Boscov’s Travel Specialist, email travelrequest@boscovs.com or call 800-755-8020.

5 Divine Dream Getaways

Whether it’s getting a massage, going out to eat, relaxing in a warm bubble bath or spending quality time with loved ones; treating yourself isn’t decadent, it enriches your well-being and quality of life.

We all need a little luxury now and then and would love to feel like royalty, even if only for a short time.

The following trips are designed to deliver the ultimate service: plush surroundings, luxurious pampering services and a bevy of experiences. This may sound like the stuff of dreams but, not too long ago, so was the computer. Take that, reality!

Below are five expert-recommended havens.

Rayavadee
Krabi, Thailand

Positioned at the heart of Thailand’s stunning Phranang Peninsula on the edge of Krabi Marine National Park, Rayavadee presents stylish five-star accommodations, cuisine and spa treatments amidst a spectacular setting. A backdrop of sheer cliffs, lush jungle foliage and the pristine waters of the Andaman Sea also make the resort a beautiful wedding and honeymoon destination. Opulent accommodations include 98 two-story pavilions and 4 private villas spread over 26 acres of coconut groves and tropical gardens bordered by stunning beaches. Award-winning architecture blends with the natural surroundings to create a unique atmosphere reminiscent of a southern Thai village. For innovative dining, the resort presents sumptuous meals in elegant, yet informal venues. The Rayavadee Spa’s extensive range of therapies draw on ancient Thai healing traditions that rejuvenate the body, mind and spirit.

The Ritz-Carlton
New York, Battery Park

With striking views over New York Harbor, Ellis Island, and the Statue of Liberty, The Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Park offers a superlative cosmopolitan experience, conveniently located in downtown Manhattan. The contemporary luxury hotel is a perfect sanctuary for the business or leisure traveler, with 298 rooms and suites; an exclusive Club lounge; award-winning restaurant, 2 West; and the Ritz-Carlton Spa featuring Carita Paris treatments. American history surrounds you as the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian and other impressive tributes are just steps away. The Ritz-Carlton Spa allows you to leave the world behind. Enjoy the ultimate pampering in a tranquil ambiance featuring massages and facials from the Carita Paris skin care line.

La Costa Resort and Spa
Carlsbad, California

Tucked away on 400 secluded acres and kissed by ocean breezes, the five-star La Costa Resort and Spa is the epitome of California coastal luxury. The Spanish Mission-style enclave is rich with world-class amenities and is surrounded by lush gardens and fountains. With 610 guestrooms, accommodations range from spacious suites to luxurious multi-bedroom villas replete with full kitchens and fireplaces. The resort’s renowned Spa offers numerous amenities including 42 treatment rooms and Yamaguchi Salon. In addition, La Costa showcases six heated swimming pools, five Jacuzzis and the Athletic Club incorporating an 8,000-square-foot fitness center. Two 18-hole championship golf courses and 17 tennis courts offer instruction and clinics for all skill levels. Families will enjoy Splash Landing’s pools, waterslides and sandy beach as well as tennis and golf camps, and a seasonal surf camp.

EPIC Hotel
Miami, Florida

The new EPIC Hotel is downtown Miami’s premier luxury hotel. A sparkling cosmopolitan destination on the bank of the Miami River where it meets Biscayne Bay, the EPIC hotel epitomizes urban design while offering guests an unmatched level of style and service. Located across the river from famed Brickel Avenue, the hotel places guests in the financial hub of South Florida and near shopping, restaurants and entertainment venues. Along with sweeping views of Miami’s skyline, the hotel boasts vaulted ceilings, glass walls, and shimmering pools. All 411 guestrooms and suites continue the sense of open space and light, offering breathtaking views, while the Club Level rooms continue the sense of luxury. Equally lavish are the hotel’s amenities like Exhale Spa, multiple swimming pools and a variety of dining options and lounging areas.

The Breakers
Palm Beach, Florida

Set amidst 140 acres of picturesque oceanfront in the heart of Palm Beach, The Breakers has invested over $250 million in the last decade to revitalize and enhance its multifaceted amenities. Renowned as one of the finest beachfront resorts in North America, The Breakers’ newly renovated 540 guest rooms and suites radiate casual tropical sophistication. Accommodations are complete with custom furnishings and marble bathrooms. Private-label toiletries, bathrobes and luxe linens are lavished in every room, as are modern appointments like flatscreen televisions and complimentary wireless Internet access. Guests can enjoy rejuvenating therapies at The Spa, along the Mediterranean-style Beach Club, a half-mile private beach, championship golf, water sports, two fitness centers, and 10 lit Har-Tru tennis courts. Nine restaurants and eleven designer boutiques round out the resort’s spectacular offerings.

Make your dream a reality.

While these getaways may be the perfect getaway for you, it’s always best to check with your Boscov’s Travel Specialist before making costly travel decisions. Our goal is to ensure you never spend a penny on a vacation you won’t enjoy.

Contact your local Boscov’s Travel Specialist, call 800-755-8020 or email travelrequest@boscovs.com.