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Hotels

Thanks to its long vacation-magnet history, it goes without saying that Greater Miami has a well-developed hotel and hospitality industry indeed; some properties dating back to the fifties and beyond hang on as budget digs, while others have been splendidly refurbished – especially in South Beach's Deco District – and yet others are constantly being built. In fact, we're pleased to report that especially on the upper end, both hotels and restaurants are now increasingly moving beyond style (and attitude) over substance; we're finally starting to see service and amenities to match the sometimes stratospheric prices. For those of you on a more modest budget, fear not, there are still a few quality places to lay your noggin. In addition to the following handful of favorites, check out Shermans Top Miami Hotels or useQuickSearch to find the best rates during your visit.

On the increasingly crowded luxury side of things, the Ritz-Carlton(800/241-3333) in South Beach still delivers, on balance, the best mix of service, amenities, and ambience. With 376 rooms, the beachside property boasts an excellent location (two blocks east of the popular Lincoln Road pedestrian shopping/dining runway, a short stroll north of Ocean Drive) and a retro-mod decor befitting the landmark Deco building it's housed in; one drawback is a pool area that while attractive is a tad short on landscaping and can feel crowded in peak season (though the notorious "tanning butler" may make up a bit for that). Downtown, the Five-Diamond standout is the Mandarin Oriental a 327-room oasis of Asian-tinged luxury, sophistication, and impeccable service, with a nationally acclaimed restaurant and spa, all on a small offshore islet. Finally, we still have a soft spot for Coral Gables' grandiose Biltmore, the 1926 Mediterranean Revival dowager overlooking its own 18-hole links; its 276-room premises are cinematic and its Sunday Champagne brunch in the courtyard legendary.

In the moderate range, the Ocean Drive location and 30 entertaining theme rooms of the fashionista-popular Pelican are well-nigh unbeatable. If you're in the mood for a elegant but more laid-back oasis that's still within easy strolling distance of the SoBe action, book yourself into the 61-unit Indian Creek Hotel, a wonderfully atmospheric 1930s 'Pueblo Deco' property with a good restaurant and charming, relaxing pool area. Over in mainland Miami, our favorites include the Grove's centrally-located Doubletreewith 196 rooms and suites, good-quality indoor and outdoor dining, and on-premises perks like a workout room, tennis court, and pool with pool bar. Over in the Gables, you'll be charmed by a historic ivy-covered jewel called the Hotel Place St. Michel, just off Miracle Mile with European flair, 27 antiques-appointed rooms, and a romantic restaurant with a fine, French-influenced New American menu and a popular Sunday brunch.

Finally, good budget options have not been completely crowded out in Miami. Your most outstanding bets for serious savings in South Beach start with the early 20th-century Clay Hotel, very centrally locatedat Washington Avenue and romantic Española Way; it combines impeccable dorm-style quarters with nicely furnished private rooms complete with baths, phones, TV, and AC. At the north end of SoBe, a funky converted 50's-Deco motel called The Creek, with a young, fun, international vibe and most of its 59 rooms done up by hip artists; all have baths, phone, TV, and AC (if you really want to go rock-bottom, opt for simpler, six-to-a-room hostel-style digs); it's all arranged around a pool/bar/café area with game and movie rooms and a kick-butt sound system. Across the causeway, your best alternative to cheesy airport motels is the utterly charming Miami River Inn, with four pink-and-green cottages on the Miami River just west of downtown, convenient to the Grove, Gables, and Little Havana. For the atmosphere, pool, Jacuzzi, gardens, 40 antiques-stocked rooms, and daily breakfast, it's a steal.

See Miami Travel Guide