The Ultimate Miami Weekend: Spa, Pool & Beach at The Palms Hotel, Plus Retro Charm at The Goodtime Hotel
Updated: 7 hours ago
You don't have to leave Miami to feel like you escaped Miami. That's exactly what I discovered during a recent Miami weekend split between two completely different (but equally unforgettable) properties: a wellness reset at The Palms Hotel & Spa and a playful, pastel-soaked stay at The Goodtime Hotel in South Beach.
If you're planning a Miami getaway, or you live here and need a break without actually leaving town this itinerary is for you.
Start With a Wellness Day at The Palms Hotel & Spa
I came to The Palms for a massage. It turned into an entire wellness day.
The Massage
The day started with a treatment at the property's AVEDA Spa the kind of massage that immediately resets your nervous system and sets the tone for a slower, more intentional day.
Steam & Sauna
After the massage, I moved into the steam room and sauna to let my body fully relax before heading back out into the day. This step matters more than people realize — it's the transition between "treatment" and actually feeling the effects of it.
Post-Massage Champagne
Because why wouldn't you follow a massage with a glass of champagne? It's a small touch, but it's the kind of detail that turns a spa visit into an experience.
Poolside Lunch
From there, it was straight to a poolside lunch, coconut in hand, completely unhurried. The property's lush, tropical gardens made it easy to forget I was still in Miami Beach at all. There were genuine moments where the city noise just disappeared.
Pool Time
A little more time at the pool followed lunch the kind of pool time where you're not checking the clock or planning the next activity. Just existing.
The Beach
The day wrapped with a walk down to the beach, capping off a full circuit of relaxation: spa, food, pool, sand.
What Surprised Me Most
What stood out wasn't any single part of the day it was how peaceful the entire property felt. It's still Miami Beach, but once you're inside The Palms, it feels tucked away from all the noise of the city.
If you're planning a Miami trip and want one day that's less go-go-go and more slow down, eat well, get pampered, and actually enjoy where you are a wellness day at The Palms is the move.
Then Check Into The Goodtime Hotel for the Rest of Your Weekend
After a day of total relaxation, The Goodtime Hotel in South Beach brings an entirely different energy: colorful, playful, a little extra, and very Miami.
A Hotel With Personality
From the pink-and-green color palette to the retro design details throughout the property, The Goodtime Hotel understood the assignment. Every corner felt like a new photo opportunity, and the property's library area alone is worth planning outfits around (no shame).
Poolside Cabanas
The pool scene at The Goodtime is designed for doing absolutely nothing in the best way. Cabanas are made for lounging, people-watching, and soaking up South Beach energy without ever leaving the property. If you're looking for the ultimate South Beach pool scene, Strawberry Moon at The Goodtime Hotel delivers every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 12pm to sundown with live rotating DJs, Mediterranean bites, and handcrafted cocktails across a massive 30,000-square-foot pink-themed pool deck. Just know before you go: it's strictly 21+ with an upscale swim attire dress code, so come ready to dance, lounge, and look good doing both.
Location, Location, Location
The best part of staying here is the location. You're right in the middle of South Beach, so you can step out into the Miami energy whenever you want, then retreat to your own pastel playground when you're ready to unwind.
The Vibe
This stay was basically Miami in hotel form: colorful, playful, a little extra, and definitely not boring. It's the perfect contrast to a slower wellness day, giving your weekend both halves of what makes Miami special: restoration and energy.
How to Spend a Perfect Miami Weekend
Putting it all together, here's the blueprint for the ultimate Miami weekend:
Day 1: Check into The Goodtime Hotel, settle into South Beach energy, explore the neighborhood, and enjoy the pool and design details that make the property so photogenic.
Day 2: Head to The Palms Hotel & Spa for a full wellness day — massage, steam and sauna, champagne, poolside lunch, pool time, and a walk down to the beach.
Evening: Return to South Beach for dinner and nightlife, or simply unwind at your hotel after a day of total relaxation.
Miami doesn't have to be all go-go-go, and it doesn't have to be all relaxation either. The real move is blending both: a day of total reset, and a stay that matches your personality and puts you right in the middle of the action.
Save this for your next Miami trip, and send it to the friend who needs this exact weekend with you. I am here to help plan your next weekend getaway!
Hosted wellness experience with The Palms Hotel & Spa. Stay experience with The Goodtime Hotel, part of Marriott Bonvoy. As always, opinions and recommendations shared are my own.
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