Miami : Sleep
In Miami your choice of accommodation is your calling-card, so it is worth spending that little bit extra if you intend to look the part. Put simply, the more you spend, the more luxurious your bedroom, the better the hotel spa, the bigger the swimming pool and the closer to the beach you will be. That said, don’t worry – in all the hotels listed here, you will be satisfied with what you get. So how do you choose?Location is obviously important. The majority of big hotels on South Beach are on Collins Avenue and Ocean Drive, but there are some excellent boutique hotels scattered around as well. On Collins Avenue, the Setai, the Raleigh, the Delano, the National, the Sagamore, the Ritz Carlton, the Shore Club and the Savoy all have garden gates at the end of their pool areas with direct access onto the beach. Technically the Victor, the Pelican and the Bentley on Ocean Drive also have access to the beach, but Ocean Drive is set too far back to call itself properly beachside. Of course you’ll also want to be close to the bars and restaurants. The Ritz Carlton, the Sagamore, the Delano and the National are all central, as are the Nash, The Hotel and the Whitelaw.
If you’ve chosen Miami as your destination, a cool pool will probably be high on your wish list. All of the big-budget hotels have luxurious pool areas, while there are some quirky hotels, such as the Bentley or The Hotel, which have dreamy rooftop pools. There are some excellent hotels – for example, the Townhouse – that do not have pools but do have access to the pools of other hotels.
Only a very good hotel would draw you away from South Beach. The Biltmore Hotel is the jewel in Coral Gables’ crown. This is a grand, luxurious old hotel that should not be overlooked, especially by golf lovers. Although there is no beach on the doorstep, there is an 18-hole golf course.
For businessmen staying Downtown, look no further than the Four Seasons or the Conrad, as these two tower blocks cater for even the most picky tycoon, while sitting on its own island and overlooking the Downtown skyline from Brickell Key is the Mandarin Oriental, one of the top hotels in Miami. If convenience is paramount, go for the Four Seasons or the Conrad, but for virtually unrivalled luxury choose the Mandarin Oriental, which is as much for holiday-makers as it is for businessmen.
At the other end of the scale, there are some interesting options. Low profile, economical, but stylish hotels are becoming more popular in Miami. The St Augustine and the Whitelaw are two examples: they haven’t joined the Miami hotel rat race by raising their prices and they still retain their own charm. These are both affordable hotels that would still manage to satisfy the super-rich and famous.
The rates quoted here are for a standard double in low season and a one-bedroom suite in high season. All hotels are assessed for style, atmosphere and location.
