Miami has been on my bucket list for quite some time. I have reserved flights and had to cancel twice. For my birthday this past year I got a ticket to finally mark it off the list. I was pretty hyped up for the trip and my expectations were high. I’ve heard so many stories of how fun and awesome it is. So many people that have been told me, “oh you are going to love it so much, you are going to want to move there.” Maybe I set my expectations too high. Maybe it wasn’t good timing. Maybe people don’t know me that well. Either way, I don’t see myself relocating there… ever.
My friends and I took the red eye from Vegas and landed in Miami at 9:40 a.m. We headed directly to Nikki Beach where we had a comped bottle and brunch waiting. I was surprised to see there wasn’t a pool, but I guess with the beach being right there… who needs it? The vibe was chill, no mainstream DJ or champagne spraying. In fact, the crowd didn’t pick up until close to 5 p.m. I figured, with my vodka buzz in full effect, I needed a picture of the ocean. I walked down with cell phone in hand when a wave came up and my phone was out of commission. Perhaps not the smartest thing in the world, but I blame it on the alcohol. As Nikki started to fill up, the “beach” became a “dayclub” with house music and a crowd full of creepers. Granted we were a cabana of five girls, but running off no sleep and being in the sun all day, we were not in the mood to be bothered. Every fifteen minutes guys would walk by and just stop and stare. I don’t know if that works in Miami to pick up on girls, but it was getting annoying. We kept saying “don’t make eye contact and they will go away.” It didn’t work. Two guys came up and started asking us the typical, “where are you girls from?” I stopped him and said, “listen we don’t want to be bothered so just move along.” They didn’t take the hint. They just kept talking and after about ten minutes one of the guys decided he was going to have a seat. I lost it. I had to get security to get them to leave. It didn’t help. One of the guys kept coming and apologizing for bothering us. It was time to go. We tried to go out later that night, but one of the girls ended up getting sick, another was hungry, and I was crabby.
The next day we decided to start over and take another stab at Miami. We laid out on the beach and soaked up some rays. We decided to get a bite to eat along Ocean Drive. One thing about Miami is that gratuity is included… on everything. With that being said, service really isn’t up to par. The place we were at screwed up our order and seemed upset that we were unhappy about the service. I will say they tried to make up for it in the end, but after waiting so long we just wanted to leave. Later that night we headed off to Tantra, where we had comped dinner and champagne. The décor was very cool, deep reds and Asian themed. They even had real grass for the flooring in the lounge. What amazed though again was the service. We had a great server that took very good care of us, but one observation in general is that anyone could be on their cell phones while working. One of the girls came to our table, but stopped in mid conversation to send out a text. I couldn’t even imagine how management would act if that happened in Vegas. The place started to get packed so we were moved to the “grass” with a new bottle of champagne. We were sitting across from a group of girls and when we went to pour a glass and the girls stopped us claiming it was their bottle. The promoter was fighting with our server when she told them it was free and everyone could share. Instead of continuing the fight, she simply brought us another bottle. Who knew a $5 bottle of champagne could be so important? The music was a little to chill for us so we decided to head to Mokai. It was the first time I felt like I was experiencing Miami. The club was packed and everyone was dancing. The only problem we ran into was with the bartender who again failed to mention the included gratuity and tried scoring a $40 tip off a $90 bill… uh no.
The rest of the vacation was just laying out on the beach and eating at various restaurants. I don’t really know if I was missing an element of Miami or it just wasn’t what I thought it was. South Beach is nice, but the people are rude and even a bit scary. It was nonstop cat calling and promoters bugging us to check out their spot. I’m more of a person that likes to go and see what the locals do. I will say a lot of the locals told us that we went at the wrong time. Nothing goes on after Labor Day until about November. Also we stayed at Casa Grand Suites on 7th and Ocean, which was a great deal and would recommend to anyone. I would go back and give it another try, but I think I would have to do a bit more preparing and hopefully a lot more partying.
Allow me to introduce myself, I’m Agent 21. I have been recruited by SpyOnVegas.com to complete daily missions that both entertain you and inform you about what is happening in Sin City and beyond. I am here to guide you on where to go and what to do. You will get to know me as I share my experiences (don’t judge me) and my opinions (I have a tendency to be brutally honest) and inform you on everything I come across in life that you should know. 
I've been to Miami a couple times and I didn't much care for South Beach. I didn't think it was possible for a place to be more pretentious and filled with ostentatious displays of wealth and consumerism than Vegas…….but South Beach won, hands down!
couldn't agree with you more agent 21!
i personally live in miami but used to live in las vegas – there is absolutely NO comparison between the two.
miami is a rude unfriendly city that is more hyped up than what it really is. terrible service, rude people, horrible drivers, horrid sticky humid weather and torrential rain 6 mos per year, plus crazy negative energy. the one and only thing it has to offer that vegas doesn't is the beautiful atlantic ocean. that's it.
vegas trumps miami in every single way every single time. the locals are incredibly down to earth, real, friendly, service is a million times better, great weather, the club scene is way better, better restaurants, better shopping, better everything. period.
i live in miami and i still don't see what all they hype is about. hate it here. will be moving back to vegas as soon as possible. cannot wait.
awww girl, that's a huge let down! vegas is my party playground – because over here (in toronto) is definitely not like the same. everyone has told me miami is apparently better than vegas.. finding it hard to believe and after this…. there's no way. i'll be in miami in november, hopefully i maybe it will pick up then? thanks for the helpful post!
I lived in Fort Lauderdale and South Florida for 5 years, from 1995 till 2000 and back then it was a great place to live!! South Beach was awesome then and in general all the people i met in South Florida were very FRIENDLY!! Unless it changed since then, I totally disagree with what you said. There is no comparison to scenery, Vegas is DIRTY, DUSTY, SMOKY, and BROWN. South Florida is GREEN, there is Grass everywhere, real Palm Trees, Beautiful Ocean Beaches, Clean Air, and much less Cigarette Smoke then Vegas! I'll take the Ocean over the Pools in Vegas anytime. Beach and Ocean FREE for everyone, not like Vegas where you have to BUY WRISTBANDS to have fun at Pools!! I find much more Attitude from people in Vegas then in South Florida! I will be moving back to Florida as there is no comparison between East Coast People and West Coast People!!
Thanks for the share!
Nancy.R
Live in Miami for about 2 years. My job brought me here. Never been to Vegas. My expectations of MIami were very low since my friends told me Miami is not like it use to be…but since I have been here, I can said: I enjoy the beach; the NBA games; the Superbowl game; Broadway Across America; Downtown Brickell; Midtown Miami; Village Malls; Coco Grove; Sawgrass; Sunset Mall; Key West; Gulfstream Park; Hard Rock Casino; and finally not having to pay state taxes. If I get bored, I can always take a cruise for the weekend to Bahamas or drive to Orlando. Again, I am not saying Miami is the best place to be, but I can make the best out of it. The people? Well, is like everywhere, there are nice people and there are bad people. Who said people drive bad in Miami, they are actually the best drivers in the world! How they cut you off and everything is amazing, but if driving is a problem, live close to work like I do. I will love to go to Vegas and I am not setting my expectations too high. Since I be an outsider, I can only hope to meet the right crowd once I get there. In that way I can make the best of it and not be stuck with someone too crabby just because they had set there expectations too high for the night, or is everyone in Vegas is going to treat me like a King just because I am being myself?
Service in Vegas can be great, but sometimes the “door” to a place can be rough. I think people are treated the way they perceive themselves here. Those who are more humble and real, people respect those who are demanding and rude, they get that in return. I simply say never have high exceptions for anything unless it is a sure bet. Expect the worse but always have hope for the best.