My name is Shayne Benowitz and I’m a freelance journalist, travel writer and essayist based in New York City and Miami. My work has appeared in National Geographic Traveler, AFAR, BOAT International, American Way and Maxim magazines. I’m a regular contributor to the New York Post’s Home and Travel sections. My creative writing has appeared in Catamaran Literary Reader.
I launched my career in Miami in 2010 where I cover South Florida for international, national and regional publications. At the Miami Herald, I’ve written cover stories for nearly every section of the newspaper, including Business, Real Estate, Health, Travel and Tropical Life, as well as for their luxury lifestyle magazine Indulge.
I also served as the hotels and travel editor of the Miami Herald’s lifestyle and entertainment website Miami.com. For the UK’s Telegraph, I act as the Miami destination and hotels expert. I’ve developed a passion for the hotel industry, having written hundreds of features about properties, trends, hotel groups and hoteliers around the world.
In my features writing, I’ve profiled celebrities including Baz Luhrmann and Pharrell Williams, as well as celebrity chefs, entrepreneurs, artists and LGBTQ community leaders. I’ve traveled to destinations across Europe, Central and South America and the Caribbean to write about everything from spearfishing in the Bahamas to a culinary odyssey through Tuscany. I also write about design and architecture for LUXE Interiors + Design, Greater New York and Modern Luxury Interiors South Florida.
You can find a collection of clips on my Portfolio page.
I’ve published work across every platform, from newspapers to magazines and digital media. I’ve also created content for hospitality and destination marketing brands including Visit Florida, Marriott, Hilton, Virgin Hotels, Acqualina Resort & Spa, Crystal Cruises, The Related Group and the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau.
I hold an MFA in Writing from Sarah Lawrence College. I’ve worked on the event staff at the annual Key West Literary Seminar since 2009. I’m a New York City Teach For America alum and I hold an MS in Education from Fordham University. As an undergraduate at the University of Georgia, I studied Sociology and Theater.
