City Exploring, Beach Days, Date Nights & the Art of Self-Love
Because the best Valentine's Day is the one you plan for yourself.
Why I Spent Valentine's Day Solo in Miami
What better way to spend the National Love Day than out of town, showing yourself the love you deserve? That was the whole energy behind this trip. Three days in Miami for Valentine's weekend a little wellness getaway, a little business trip (my XO Collection was dropping that Friday), and a whole lot of self-love. No itinerary, no pressure, just vibes.
I've always said I want a trip where I don't tell anybody, where I can just live in the moment. I told people, because I can never keep my mouth shut when I'm excited about something. But the intention was there stay off my phone, enjoy Miami, and just be.
The Hotel: 40th Floor Views & Hidden Fees
I stayed at The Elser Hotel in Miami and y'all, when I tell you we were high up. I'm talking 40th floor, ears popping in the elevator, look-over-the-edge-and-immediately-regret-it high up. The views though? Absolutely worth it.
The room itself was really nice a full suite setup with a kitchen (complete with a toaster, a small pot, and some very ambitious snack offerings including Patron, Grey Goose, and chocolate creatine), a swivel TV, a balcony, a washer and dryer, and a walk-in closet. I unpacked everything the second I arrived, obviously.
The hotel also came with beach club access at the Marriott Miami Beach two lounge chairs, umbrella, towels, and food and beverage service. Plus a rooftop bar, a stunning gym, pool, hot tub, and daily fitness classes including Vinyasa yoga, Pilates, and Aquafit. I used almost all of it.
One honest heads-up though: the hotel charges $60 per day to access their amenities. That's not something that was front and centre when I booked, so just be aware of the hidden fees before you commit. And skip the room service overpriced and underwhelming. That $46 tiny overcooked steak was not it.
Day One: Exploring the City & a Solo Date at the Movies
Walking the City & Discovering Bayside
After settling in, I threw on a cute two-piece set and went to explore. There's a Publix nearby, a Ross, and the city is genuinely walkable from where I was staying which I loved. I stopped for breakfast at Bro Café, got myself a French toast (vacation doesn't count for fasting, okay?), and just wandered.
I ended up at the pier near a cruise ship terminal and just sat by the water for a while. That's one of my favourite things to do anywhere just sit near water and think. From there I wandered up to the hotel's rooftop sky deck, checked out the gym (absolutely beautiful, I knew then I was going to use it), and took in the ferris wheel view from up high.
Later I made my way to Bayside a lively waterfront area with restaurants, shops, and boat tours. It's where they take you past celebrity mansions on the water, which is a fun Miami thing to do. I walked around, took everything in, and treated it like my own little city tour.
Glute Day, Then a Solo Movie Date
Back at the hotel I did my own workout in that gorgeous gym, then showered and got ready for my first official solo date night: the movies. I went to see The Housemaid at a dine-in movie theatre the kind where you order food from your seat and it comes to you during the film. My recliner seat had its own little tray, the food was surprisingly normal-priced (which never happens at these places), and the movie? Incredible.
I love a good thriller. There's something satisfying about a plot twist that actually makes sense where you can rewind mentally and see how all the clues were there the whole time. The Housemaid delivered. Solo movie dates are underrated and I'm standing on that.
Day Two: Launch Day, Facials & a Bike Ride Through the City
The XO Collection Launch
I woke up at 5am on launch day because business doesn't take vacations even when you do. My XO Valentine's Collection was going live that evening and I needed my website updated and everything running smoothly. Room service breakfast (that tiny overcooked steak era), laptop open, grind mode.
By the time I wrapped up the site work, the orders were already flying in. And I mean flying. By the end of the night, the collection had completely sold out every single item in less than 24 hours. I was sitting on a beach chair watching the orders roll in on my phone with one bar of service and 1% battery. That's the kind of Valentine's gift that hits different.
The Facial: A Solid 7 Out of 10
I had a facial booked for 12:30pm a guided facial, which in theory sounds lovely. In practice, it meant the esthetician kept stopping mid-treatment to ask if I still wanted her to explain what she was doing. Ma'am, I clicked 'guided.' Yes. The extractions portion hit like little needles with zero warning, which, when your eyes are closed and you're trying to relax, is a lot.
I'll give it a 7/10. My skin felt okay after, but I ended up with some dark spots from the extractions and a bump on my nose that stuck around. We came for wellness. Stress was not on the menu. If you book a facial while in Miami, just make sure you communicate clearly what you want and what you don't.
City Bikes & Bayside Dinner
After recovering from a rough stomach situation (the hotel breakfast steak did not agree with me cook your food, people), I got ready and rented one of Miami's City Bikes from the station right outside my hotel. I rode along the waterfront with my phone speaker playing music, one hand on the handlebars, living my best life.
One important City Bike note: do not leave the bike unattended anywhere. If it gets lost or stolen, you're paying $800. I found that out quickly and adjusted my dinner plans accordingly no locking up the bike outside a restaurant. I ended up riding to Bayside and finding a second-floor restaurant with a much better vibe than my first attempt (the first spot had a rude waiter — I left). The collection was dropping at 8pm CST and I sat there watching orders pour in while eating dinner. Perfect evening.
Valentine's Day: Beach Club, Yoga & a Date with Myself
Morning Walk & Vinyasa Yoga
Happy Valentine's Day to everybody. The boys, the girls, the moms, the dads, the cousins, the sisters. And especially yourself. I woke up on Valentine's Day ready to move. Instead of the gym, I took a morning walk through the streets of Miami, just taking in the city at 8am palm trees, warm air, that feeling of being somewhere that feels like it was made for you.
Then it was straight to the hotel's Vinyasa yoga class at 9:30am. I accidentally locked my key inside the room and had to run downstairs to get a new one, so I ended up being the last person in but yoga was genuinely so good. I had been needing that stretch for a long time. If your hotel offers classes, take them. That's what they're there for.
Beach Club Day
After yoga and getting all cute curled hair, a little makeup, green Monday Swimwear bikini finally making its debut I headed to the beach club. This was the beach day I had been waiting for since I arrived. I got my lounge chair set up, ordered a burger and fries (40-minute wait but expected on Valentine's Day at the beach), and spent the afternoon listening to music and genuinely just chilling in the sun.
I ended up staying way too long watching videos, soaking in the sun, talking to a random YouTuber from Monaco who spotted me filming. The collection sold out completely while I was sitting in that beach chair. I found out on my phone with one bar. That was the Valentine's Day moment right there.
The Room Service Date Night
I had my Valentine's Day dress. I had my heels. And I had absolutely zero desire to go fight the Valentine's Day crowd at a restaurant. So I did what felt right: I put on the dress anyway because she was too cute not to wear ordered room service, set up a little table by the window, put a movie on my MacBook, and had a date with myself.
Before I even got upstairs, something happened in the lobby that I wasn't expecting. A woman saw me getting on the elevator and handed me a red rose. Just like that. Roses are my favourite flower, and red is my favourite colour. I almost cried. Then I got to my room, looked out the window, and saw that the building across the street was doing a light display hearts, then the words 'Happy Valentine's Day.' I may or may not have had them add my name to it.
I changed into pajamas, got my food, danced around the room, freestyled some bars into my camera (off the dome, completely unplanned, and I will not be elaborating), and called it the best Valentine's Day I'd ever had.
What This Trip Really Was About
This trip wasn't just a vacation. It was a moment to stop and acknowledge everything — moving to a new state alone, launching two collections, hosting my first group trip, growing the channel, doing it all without waiting for anybody else to give me permission.
I have a habit of achieving something and immediately asking 'okay but what's next?' This trip was a lesson in sitting in the moment. In being grateful for where I am, not just focused on where I'm going. This season is about recognising the accomplishments, not rushing past them.
Solo travel does something to you. Every time I do it, I fall a little more in love with myself — with my ability to show up for me, to have fun without depending on other people, to just be present and enjoy it. If you ever needed someone to tell you it's okay to do things alone, to take yourself out, to spend Valentine's Day doing exactly what you want — this is it. I'm telling you. Go.
Miami Tips for Solo Travellers
🏨 Hotel Fees: Read the fine print on amenity fees before booking — $60/day for gym and pool access adds up fast. Great hotel, but know what you're paying for.
🚲 City Bikes: Renting a Miami City Bike is one of the best ways to explore — cheap, fun, and the waterfront rides are beautiful. Just don't leave it unattended or you're on the hook for $800.
💸 Budget for Food: Miami is expensive, especially as a solo traveller splitting nothing. Expect $30-$40+ per meal eating out. Cook in your room where possible or be ready for it.
🎬 Dine-In Movies: Treat yourself to a dine-in movie solo. Get a recliner seat, order food, and enjoy. It's one of the best solo date activities and nobody is going to stare at you weird.
🏖️ Beach Club vs. Public Beach: If your hotel includes beach club access, use it. The lounge chairs, umbrella, and food service make the beach day so much more comfortable.
✈️ Avoid Florida Airports If You Can: Fort Lauderdale airport has almost no charging outlets, spotty Wi-Fi, and a chaotic vibe. Build in extra time for your departure and mentally prepare. Just a heads-up.
💆 Solo Travel & Being Stared At: People will notice you're alone. They're almost always thinking something kind. Don't let the fear of being seen stop you from showing up for yourself.
Valentine's Day should be every day. If you have love to give, give it starting with yourself. You go to sleep and wake up in the same body. Treat it accordingly.
Happy Valentine's Day, always. I love y'all