Settling into Miami South Beach
We were up at 0700 and off the ship minutes after eight, without
breakfast. Bruce summoned a Lyft and we were soon underway,
but thanks to terrible traffic, the 30-mile journey seemed to take
forever. We finally arrived at DoubleTree The Gates, just outside
the official northern limit of South Beach. Our new base didn't
appear to fit in neatly to any of the usual Hilton group styles, but
it seemed nice enough and staff were friendly. We received our
DoubleTree 'welcome' cookies - breakfast at last! - and were in our
room by 1030.
Bruce, of necessity, had to get started immediately on his working day. I spent a few hours becoming reacquainted with the celebrated 'Art Deco' part of SoBe, and in particular the highly photogenic Ocean Drive. I made a visit to Starbucks shortly after arrival in the area and after a successful bout of photography, I enjoyed a very nice al fresco (and shaded!) lunch of Eggs Benedict on Avocado Toast at the Fairwind Hotel.
Returning to The Gates in a somewhat sweaty condition, I relaxed and (literally) chilled out in the room until Bruce's working day was finished and it was time to head out again for dinner. We went to the busy, pedestrianised section of Lincoln Rd and had Brazilian-style sushi at SUSHISAMBA. After running up a bill that somehow managed to stray into three figures, we made use of the free 'motorized trolley' for an easier return to the hotel.
