As a public relations professional representing clients like Camelot Homes, Cave + Post Trading Co. and Desert Design Week, Elaina Verhoff is often immersed in aesthetics. But a spring break trip to Miami with her college-age daughter, Lily, left her feeling ultra-inspired. “It’s so international-feeling,” she says. “Great food, and the beaches are amazing. Just beautiful white sand and warm water and cool lifeguard stations that are really colorful – each one is different. And the architecture, of course, is all Art Deco.” Verhoff shares highlights from her Miami vacation.
Dream South Beach
Mother and daughter set up camp in the quintessential Miami hotel – this Hyatt property set in two Art Deco buildings by the beach. “Right next to the Versace mansion,” Verhoff says. She dug the “Liberace vibe” of their room, which had a big crystal chandelier, and the energy of the hotel’s rooftop hot spot Highbar. “It was Miami Music Week when we were there, so they had DJs up on the roof by the pool, which was so fun.” hyatt.com
Cubatón Sandwich Shop
On a previous trip to the city, Verhoff was burned by a highly recommended but ultimately disappointing Cubano. This time, she Yelped around and found this petite sandwich shop done up in a Miami chic palette of white and teal. “They put so much thought into each ingredient,” in the Cubanos, which came with “cute, tiny wax bags” of potato sticks. The perfect pairing: iced café bombón, a Cuban-style espresso swirled with house-made tres leches and sweetened condensed milk. “My mouth is going to start watering [just remembering it],” Verhoff says. cubatonsandwichshop.com
Pura Vida Miami
The iced coffee revelry continued at this café specializing in healthy fare. “One of my favorites was the banana brew iced coffee,” Verhoff says. “It really tasted delicious, too, like banana-flavored coffee.” The star, though, was the restaurant’s design. “I just got a pool umbrella that was inspired by their patio,” she says. “I’m finally redoing my bathroom, and I’m carrying around a bag from the restaurant because I want to match the color with the tile.” puravidamiami.com
Third Street Beach Yoga
Something Verhoff wanted to repeat from her first visit to Miami: free morning yoga on the beach. “It was so beautiful. They do it right as the sun is rising. That’s still my screensaver on my phone – a picture of the sun rising over the water when I did that last time.” 3rdstreetbeachyoga.com
New Around Town in Page
The City of Page, the gateway to Lake Powell and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, is turning 50 in 2025. Here are three new ways to explore the region’s iconic landscape and culture.
Hyatt Place Page/Lake Powell
Since opening in 2018, this hotel has honored its proximity to the Navajo Nation by offering immersive cultural experiences led by Diné experts. New this summer: the Sweet Summer Fun Package, which includes a standard guest room (starting at $299/night), plus a complimentary candy charcuterie board, surprise take-home board game and keepsake dreamcatcher. Guests can also participate in programming including Navajo storytelling sessions and weaving workshops. hyatt.com
Marble Canyon Lodge
This reimagined motor lodge welcomed its first guests this spring, debuting 45 rooms and eight ranch cottages, the Marble Canyon Trading Post gift shop, The Lonely Jackrabbit restaurant and Lucky Foot Coffee & Ice Cream Bar. Marble Canyon Lodge serves as the perfect base camp for exploring nearby Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon and offers exclusive adventures including tours of the Grand Canyon’s East Rim, Colorado River fishing excursions and day trips to Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. marblecanyonlodge.com
Antelope Air
As Page’s first entirely Diné-owned and -operated aircraft tour business, Antelope Air offers a unique perspective – not only as scenic tour operators but as stewards of the sacred land they fly over. The IKG Air affiliate took its maiden flight last year and now offers scenic aerial tours and private charter flights over Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Glen Canyon Dam, Lake Powell and more. antelopeair.com
– Madison Rutherford
