As hot a destination as ever, Miami continues to invest millions in hotels, restaurants, clubs and tourism attractions, as well as draw major new festivals and events. Here is an update on the latest news in Greater Miami and the Beaches: HOTEL HAPPENINGS

Acqualina Resort & Spa on the Beach, the Sunny Isles ultra-luxury destination, has earned the prestigious AAA Five Diamond Award for 2010. Known for its pristine Mediterranean landscape and stunning beachfront, Acqualina features 97 luxurious guestrooms and suites; a 20,000-square-foot ESPA award-winning oceanfront spa; two oceanfront restaurants, including the acclaimed Il Mulino New York; four swimming pools and an innovative marine biology-based children�s Acqua-Marine program. For more information, visit www.Acqualina.com.

The Daddy O Hotel, located in Bay Harbor between South Beach and Aventura, is scheduled to open in December 2009. The property boasts 46-luxury guest rooms with 42-inch flat screen televisions, complimentary wireless Internet, iPod stations, in-room computer, ultra-plush mattresses, and is in walking distance from the Bal Harbour Shops and the Atlantic Ocean. For more information, visit www.DaddyOHotel.com.

Doral Golf Resort & Spa, a Marriott Resort, is currently undergoing a resort-wide renewal in preparation for the property�s 50th anniversary in 2012. Laying the groundwork for the property�s golden jubilee, Doral invested $16 million in 2009 alone. The top-to-bottom transformation includes a new par-70 golf course, The Jim McLean Signature Course, and enhancement of The Great White and Gold golf courses; renovation of The Spa at Doral and partnership with Pritikin Longevity Center & Spa; the new Bossa Nova lobby bar and a new Latin-inspired steakhouse. For more information, visit www.DoralResort.com.

Anticipated to open in December 2009, Vikram Chatwal Hotel�s Dream South Beach will inject a hit of avant-garde edge to the Miami landscape. A vanguard amongst fashion-forward hotel accommodations, Dream South Beach will occupy an ideal position at 11th Street and Collins Avenue, the epicenter of the renowned Miami nightlife and epicurean scenes. With distinctive architectural elements executed by internationally acclaimed designer Michael Czysz (principal of Architropolis), Dream South Beach will expose guests to progressive, fantastical elements while retaining a comfortable sense of personal, �in-your-dreams� sumptuousness. The hotel will also include Chopra Spa, a serene haven of holistic healing with signature ancient Indian Ayurvedic treatments. For more information, visit, www.VikramChatwalHotels.com and www.DreamSouthBeach.com.

Exhale Mind Body Spa will open its first Miami flagship location at EPIC hotel in February 2010. The facilities and amenities will be split over two levels with more than 12,000 square feet consisting of a gym; yoga studio overlooking the pool deck with dramatic Biscayne water views; Core Fusion studio with floor-to-ceiling glass walls on two sides that feature a floating ballet bar and city views; Core Fusion Sport and Core Energy Flow classes; Well Bar services, including nails, waxing and brow services as well as new specialized express therapies; infrared sauna; co-ed quiet lounge and hammam detox chamber; 14 therapy rooms and more. For more information, visit www.ExhaleSpa.com.

Hotel Urbano, Miami�s first boutique �art hotel,� is making its debut in the downtown Brickell neighborhood with an opening slated for the end of December 2009, with reservations accepted starting in mid-January 2010. Displayed throughout the hotel, the artwork of emerging artists will change seasonally and be available for purchase by hotel guests. The hotel features 65 stylish guest rooms designed by Marcie DeLaRosa; a tropical, free-form swimming pool and spacious deck with private cabanas, fire pits and poolside lounge; fitness room; meeting rooms and an innovative restaurant fusing South Florida and Cuban cuisine. For more information, visit www.HotelUrbano.com.

The Sonesta Bayfront Hotel Coconut Grove recently reinvented its 8th floor rooftop swimming pool and outdoor bar. The $500,000 renovation included new tile decking, creation of a dining pergola poolside with banquet seating and canopy top; new pool furniture and new mood lighting and tropical landscaping. The pool area features panoramic views of Biscayne Bay and the village of Coconut Grove. The patio surrounding the pool will be the Sky Lounge - offering food and beverage service in the new pergola area. The menu will feature favorite Peruvian items from Panorama's more extensive menu. For more information, visit www.Sonesta.com/CoconutGrove.

The brand new SpringHill Suites by Marriott Miami Arts/Health District opened its doors to the public November 2009. This 198-suite hotel is located only minutes from downtown and five miles from the Miami International Airport. The hotel offers guests convenient access to major attractions, including American Airlines Arena (1.81 miles) and the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts (1.49 miles). Guest suites are up to 25 percent larger than traditional hotel rooms and feature separate areas for sleeping, working/eating and relaxing. For more information, visit www.MiamiSpringhill.com.

Slated to open in early 2010, the Tempo Miami Hotel will be a dazzling, new Miami hotel that combines chic sophistication, luxurious comfort and breezy elegance. Located in a soaring 67-story landmark building �the tallest residential structure in Miami � Tempo Miami will offer all the best that South Florida has to offer. The 67-story tower clad entirely in blue tinted glass overlooks sparkling, sun-soaked Biscayne Bay, and offers sweeping, 360-degree views of the ocean and city. With its floor-to-ceiling windows, spacious balconies, numerous rooftop terraces and expansive sky pool deck, the hotel and RockResorts Spa feel perfectly suspended between the sea and sky. For more information, visit www.TempoMiami.RockResorts.com.

COOL CUISINE AND NIGHT LIFE

The Hard Rock Caf� Miami recently completed a $150,000 renovation of its patio bar/dining area overlooking Bayside Marina, including new flooring, lights and landscaping. For more information, visit www.HardRock.com.

Legendary Chef Norman Van Aken is making his much-anticipated return to Miami with Norman�s 180, a more casual restaurant concept set to open this winter in the Westin Colonnade in downtown Coral Gables. For more information, visit www.Westin.com/CoralGables.

Patagonia Home Made Products recently opened on Miracle Mile in Coral Cables. The Argentinean-style, open-air gourmet market offers prepared foods, including favorites such as empanadas, grilled meats, gourmet sandwiches and more. For more information, visit www.PatagoniaHomeMadeProducts.com.

Prelude By Barton G. opened recently at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. Designed by events impresario/restaurateur Barton G. Weiss, the new restaurant features fixed-priced dining, offering patrons the choice of any three dinner menu items for $49 and any two lunch/brunch items for $23. For more information, visit www.PreludeByBartonG.com.

STK, �not your daddy�s steakhouse,� is coming soon to the Gansevoort South Beach Hotel. The ONE Group restaurant will promote a feminine vibe that is enriched with lively entertainment and sumptuous food. Coco De Ville, a new 2,000-square-foot lounge is also set to open soon at the hotel and is expected to � raise the bar for those who seek the ultimate in nightlife experience� with its own DJ booth and private bar. For more information, visit www.GaansevoortSouth.com.

Talavera Restaurant, which opened recently in downtown Coral Gables by the owners� of Jaguar in Coconut Grove, features Mexican favorites and bright, vivid d�cor. For more information, visit www.TalaveraSpot.com. Among other new casual eateries in downtown Coral Gables are Angelique Euro Caf�, Bijans Burger Joint (www.bijansburgerjoint.com) Fat Burger (www.fatburger.com) and Giardino Gourmet Salads (www.giardino.com ).

ATTRACTION ACTION AND SPECIAL EVENTS

Coral Gables Cinematheque, a much-anticipated art cinema set directly across the street from Books & Books on Aragon Avenue in Coral Gables, now offers international programming for all age groups.

To commemorate Ponce De Leon�s exploration of Key Biscayne on his first mission to the New World in 1513, Miami will host the Florida Renaissance Festival, on January 9-24, 2010, at Historic Virginia Key Beach Park on Key Biscayne. The 16th century production will feature more than 100 costumed performers, 12 stages with continuous entertainment and 20 stage acts from around the world. During the three family-themed weekends, guests will enjoy jousting tournaments three times a day, sword fights, magical illusions, hearty food, human-powered rides and games for children that include the World�s Largest Rocking Horse, Giant Chess, Barrel Rides, and games of strength and skill. For more information, visit www.Ren-Fest.com. Jungle Island recently unveiled a new �Lemur Experience, � which allows guests to get up close and personal with some of the most rare primates on Earth. The 45-minute experience brings small groups of guests � no more than six at a time � into the park�s Lemur Nursery, home of young ring-tailed lemurs and the rare red-ruffed and black-and-white ruffed lemurs. Guests are educated about the lemurs� natural habitat, diet and habits and are advised about the best way to pet them and feed them before the lemurs come out to meet their newest friends. Jungle Island also offers a 35-minute �Penguin Encounter� with 11 South African penguins and a 90-minute, behind-the-scenes �VIP Safari Tour.� For more information, visit www.JungleIsland.com.

The all-new Miami Music Festival, set to take place December 10-12, 2009, will showcase 600 performances on 25 stages in the Brickell area of downtown Miami, as well as a two-day conference for emerging artists. The festival�s live showcase performances will feature rock, alternative and singer/songwriter acts, and spotlight Latin, Caribbean, urban and jazz music. Performances will take place in four large tents, as well as at nearby clubs. For more information, visit www.MiamiMusicFestival.org.

Miami Children�s Museum will unveil its new $1 million �The Wizard of Oz Educational Exhibition� on January 9, 2010. Developed by MCM and SPARKS, the interactive installation is the only children�s exhibition licensed and sanctioned by Warner Brothers to include the characters and elements from the classic 1939 film. Also new at the museum are the $90,000 Kaboom! Playground, funded by the Peace for the Children Foundation, under a new play tent donated by the City of Miami; a $10,000 facility-wide facelift sponsored by FedEx, and the $100,000 Waterwise exhibit sponsored by the South Florida Water Management District. For more information, visit www.MiamiChildrensMuseum.org.

For further information, visit www.MiamiAndBeaches.com.

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Lynda Daboh 020 7978 5233 lynda@firstpr.co.uk