International Life jetted off to Miami, one of the top luxury destinations in the world. The mind whirled with endless glamourous connotations, Miami Vice, beach ball, beautiful models, Scarface, Latin Cuban dancing and the Rat Pack. Miami shares with New York that certain frisson when you arrive; like Monaco, it exhibits some serious wealth and like Rio it promises a party.

I am transported to the Canyon Ranch in Miami Beach from the airport in a lavish vehicle that is part A Team van and part limousine with glossy black exterior, interior and of course blacked out windows. This is a limo you can boogie in, complete with a not so mini bar (it holds champagne flutes for 12). The Canyon Ranch is famous in the States as a celebrity relax and detox Spa. Eva Longoria, Ricky Martin, Micky Rourke and Alec Baldwin are all regulars. When I arrive I immediately see why; the lobby is beautiful, modern and opulent yet very welcoming. There is a rich sybaritic atmosphere to the place without the formality of some other hotels, with a three floor sculpture and polished stone and shell floors designed by the pre-eminent architect David Rockwell.

The rooms are delightful, spacious and modern with a HD television system that can be viewed from the living room or the bedroom. The view of the beach is stunning, stretching out in a wide panorama. As you would expect from a top Spa resort the bathroom is huge and designed for indulgence with double sinks and the deepest baths I have ever seen. Elegant, minimalist, luxury decor aimed at relaxation.

It was time to lose the jet lag in the sea which was lovely and warm for this time of year, the waves on one day were pure art, perfect spherical waves that just roll along the sand forever. Beach bum heaven. The sea is a translucent Caribbean colour, light and dark greens to blues. After a long swim I ambled off to the Spa where I had an Ashiatsu massage booked to banish the post flight aches. Ashiatsu is a foot massage where they use their feet to give you a deep tissue massage rather than twiddle with your toes for an a hour and a half. The Aquavana is just the most wonderful Spa, akin to an Alice in Waterland extravaganza. The thermal suites are a fantastic sensory experience, emulating tropical rainstorms, utilizing coloured lights to simulate times of the day, sounds to invoke jungles or arctic vistas, and herb scented waters that steam, rain or mist all over you, imbuing you with incredible scents, aromas and sensory delights. There are hours of fun to be had leaping from Atlantic Storm to Caribbean Monsoon to Polar Mist and back again at the touch of a button. Do not miss the Igloo with menthol, mint and eucalyptus, though do try to avoid screaming in a high pitched voice when the first cold mist descends if you want to exit with any dignity.

The next morning I started my exploration of Miami with a kayak tour along the Oleta river through the mangrove swamps with Dragonfly expeditions. It was Homeresque, we paddled out into the wild Mangrove swamps unarmed apart from a large double bladed paddle and two guides. We were instantly besieged by Great Blue Heron, Egrets, Ospreys (Eagle like birds) and Jumping Mullet that leapt out of the water. Turkey Vultures swarmed overhead, wonderful gliders with their outstretched wing feathers riding the thermals. Little Blue Heron, Ibises, Kingfishers and three Brown Pelicans flew overhead in the classic 3 birds on a wall formation a foot away from me. Do not miss out on the Everglades if you want to see manatees, dolphins, alligators, birds, and turtles or go air boating in the flat bottomed boats with a giant fan on the back.

Next it was off to Lincoln Road in Miami Beach which is a pedestrian strip between Lenox Avenue and Washington Avenue, filled with the very best bars, cafes and restaurants with outdoor seating lining the middle, this is the place to watch and be seen. I literally bumped into Ice-T with his wife and friends, who were followed by a parade of people gasping in recognition and flocking to shake his hand and get a picture with him. He could not have been more charming and friendly. Wonderful atmosphere and fantastic Art Deco architecture. Great fun at the beach people watching on Ocean Drive: athletic volleyball players, wealthy ladies on roller skates walking their dogs, muscle boys pumping iron, ladies in bikinis glued to their Iphones and the cars, everything from the latest Bentleys to 50's Cadillacs, cruising up and down the strip.

In the evening I met up with friends and we went to W South Beach and sat outside by the pool. It was a special event for all the lawyers attending the different Florida state universities. The theme appropriately enough was Miami Vice in white, so wall to wall tiny white dresses on the longest shapeliest legs you have ever seen, and that was just the men. It was like a catwalk show, 99% were pretty enough to model, they were many models there too, but impossible to tell the lawyers from the models. Miami really is full of stunningly healthy, fit, beautiful people. This is what the whole world will look like once a healthy lifestyle and cosmetic surgery become the norm. Fabulous. Next, on to Ocean drive and to Mango's. A must see, it's like the film Coyote Ugly, the bar-staff are all trained dancers and entertain between drinks on the bar tops. No shirts for the men and bikinis for the girls. The whole place is pulsating with Cuban dancing and a lively friendly atmosphere.

The Acqualina is a little further North along on Collins Avenue, the entrance is magnificent with enormous chandeliers that drip down from the huge ceiling. The car park outside is exclusive: Bentleys, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Ferraris. There are 97 rooms and 188 residences here. You can stay here for a week or buy and live here. Very tempting.

The Mediterranean-inspired tower faces on to the sea and has 3 pools and a hot tub in the immaculate tropical garden that borders the beach. The service and the decor are pristine and lush, very French Riviera. The restaurant and bar are divine and this is a great place to relax and watch the famous go by. The facilities include ESPA which is a British company offering the highest luxury Spa treatments. The ESPA products are absolutely incredible, simply the best and their oils and unguents pamper and soften to perfection. The Swedish massage is magnificent and highly recommended.

I spent the afternoon at the Miami Boat show, looking at boats Stavros "I have a big laser Mr Bond" Blofelt would have coveted, amazing Super Yacht brands such as Azimut, Oceanco and Cigarette that are replete with the latest high technology, contemporary exterior and interior design. The next few days were taken up with a tour of the palatial shopping Malls, Coconut Grove and Little Havana which, along with Coral Gables, are a must see.

Miami Beach is sumptuous and exciting, it has more beautiful people per square inch than anywhere else in the world and combines the best luxury city living and nightlife with a sensational beach and promenade. This is where the wealthy and healthy work, live and play. This is the old playground of the Rat Pack after all and whilst it saw a fall in fortune a while back it is making a serious come back. International Life will be returning regularly.

Subscribe and see this article in our Luxury Magazine International Life

International Life recommends:

Art Basel Miami Beach. www.artbaselmiamibeach.com/
Miami Boat Show.16-20th February 2012. www.miamiboatshow.com/
W South Beach. www.starwoodhotels.com
Ocean Drive Limo: 555 N.E 15th Street, Suite 18A Miami Fl 33132. USA. Tel: (305) 374 7182. www.oceandrivelimo.com/. Ask for Hector.
Aventura Mall. 19501 Biscayne Blvd. Aventura. Miami. Tel: (305) 933-5577. Find Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Macy's and more. www.shopaventura
Sustain Restaurant & Bar. 3252 NE 1st Avenue. Miami Tel: (305) 424-9079. www.sustainmiami.com/
Blue Marlin Fish House at Oleta Park. 2500 NE 163rd St. North Miami Beach, FL 33160. Tel: (305)-957-8822. www.bluemoonmiami.com/
Mango Tropical Cafe. 900 Ocean Drive. Miami Beach, FL 33139. www.mangostropicalcafe.com/
Sushisamba. 600 Lincoln Road, Miami beach. Tel: (305) 673-5337. http://sushisamba.com/index.cfm/id/7/id2/15.html
Santo Lounge at The Village of Gulfstream. 1400 Village at Gulfstream Park Suite 2499. Tel: (305) 532-2882. www.santolounge.com
Village at Gulfstream. 501 South Federal Highway, Hallandale Beach, FL 33009. Tel: (954) 378-0900. www.thevillageatgulfstreampark.com
Dragonfly Expeditions. 1825 Ponce de Leon Blvd., 369, Coral gables, FL. Tel: (305) 774-9019. www.dragonflyexpeditions.com

MIAMI FACTBOX:
 
Miami Information: www.MiamiandBeaches.com
Canyon Ranch Hotel & Spa www.canyonranch.com/miamibeach
Rates start from $525 per suite per night inclusive of complimentary use of Aquavana® thermal suite and complimentary indoor fitness and movement classes plus beach and surf activities.  See website for special offers.

Acqualina Resort & Spa On The Beach www.acqualinaresort.com
Stay seven nights from £1,620 per person in an Intracoastal Room, room only, including return economy flights & transfers with Elegant Resorts.  For details and to book www.elegantresorts.co.uk/acqualina/
 
FLIGHT INFORMATION:
 
American Airlines, KLM, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic all operate daily services to Miami from London Heathrow.
GMCVB has launched a new iPhone App, Miami and Beaches, available for download at the Apple Store.
During the annual Miami Spa Month taking place from 1 July to 31 August, over 30 of Miami’s top spas will be offering signature treatments for $99. For full listing of participating spas and details of treatments offered, visit: www.MiamiSpaMonth.com.