Under $200

The secluded and comfortable Indian Creek Hotel (2727 Indian Creek Dr., 305/531-2727, from $95 d) is probably the best value in all of Miami. Located just a block from the ocean and facing the Intracoastal Waterway, the hotel is blessed with a location that is as convenient as it is isolated. The beautifully updated 1930s-era building manages to convey its historical charm without being overbearing or kitschy, and the public spaces are tropical and inviting while guest rooms are bright and well-furnished with comfortable beds, refrigerators, and Wi-Fi. In addition to standard accommodations, the hotel also offers six suites and four one-bedroom apartments that are perfect for extended stays. On-site is one of Miami Beach’s best bistros, Creek 28 (305/531-2727, 11 a.m.–11 p.m. daily, main courses from $15).

At the confusing intersection of Arthur Godfrey Road and Collins Avenue, Circa 39 (3900 Collins Ave., 305/538-4900, www.circa39.com, from $179 d) sits right on the southern end of Miami Beach. It is still far enough away from the buzz of South Beach to feel like something of a respite from the rush. The building has plenty of SoBe charm, combining late ’30s architecture with modern amenities. Although Circa39 doesn’t trip over itself to be the hippest spot in town, the courtyard garden, comfortable restaurant, and pool area exude a relaxed sort of cool. Guest rooms are clean and reasonably spacious with the standard array of amenities.

The Mimosa Hotel (6525 Collins Ave., 305/867-5000, www.themimosa.com, from $150 d) is a fantastic and small-scale option for those who want to enjoy the relative quietude of Miami Beach but don’t feel like staying in a massive condo-hotel. Located right on the beach near the beach park at 64th Street and boasting only 60 guest rooms, the Mimosa isn’t quite a cozy boutique hotel, but the service and space are far more intimate than at most of Miami Beach’s other waterfront lodgings. The standard guest rooms are clean and stylish, if a bit small, with modern minimalist furnishings and comfortable queen beds; there are also several different-sized suites, some with kitchenettes.

The super-simple accommodations at the Ocean Way Hotel (7430 Ocean Terr., 305/866-4595, from $95 d) won’t win any modern-design awards, but the guest rooms are clean and basic with tile floors and large windows. While it is probably not the best option for a long-term stay, the Ocean Way fits the bill for those who are looking for an inexpensive place to crash during a beach weekend.

The 53 small guest rooms at the motel-style Beach Place Hotel (8601 Harding Ave., 305/866-3313, from $125 d) are clean and equipped with fresh new furnishings, and the hotel is just across the street from the beaches at North Shore park.

$200–300

The Alexander Hotel (5225 Collins Ave., 305/865-6500, from $229 d) was one of the first condo-hotels to be built in Miami Beach back in the early 1980s, and despite a recent multimillion-dollar renovation to the property, there’s a chance that you may end up with a room that hasn’t seen new furnishings since that time. Even the most dated guest room at the Alexander will still likely be a nice one, as they’re all quite spacious—in either one- or two-bedroom configurations, the smallest guest room is 1,000 square feet—and have full kitchens, private bedrooms, and balconies that look out onto either the ocean or the Intracoastal Waterway. The public spaces exude a rich elegance thanks to antiques and other decor that came from the Cornelius Vanderbilt mansion.

Just like its next-door neighbor, the recently renovated Rat Pack fave Fontainebleau, the Eden Roc (4525 Collins Ave., 305/531-0000, from $299 d) has been updated from its faded 1950s glory to resemble something approaching a modern hotel. Operated by Renaissance/Marriott, the mammoth Eden Roc still maintains much of its original postdeco exterior, but instead of offering quaint retro-styled lodging, the interior spaces are sleek and modern. The hotel is often home to conventioneers or special events, so the public areas can sometimes be a bit congested. The 630 guest rooms are large, modern, and stylish, if a bit anonymous.

The Palms (3025 Collins Ave., 305/534-0505, www.thepalmshotel.com, from $229 d) is a large traditional hotel with 243 guest rooms spread over 11 floors. This being Miami Beach, “traditional” is a somewhat flexible term, and the Palms offers a unique combination of art deco simplicity, luxe filigree, and contemporary style. All the guest rooms were updated in 2007 and are available in standard, suite, and penthouse configurations. Make sure to splurge for an oceanfront room, as the views from the large windows, which have no balconies, are fairly spectacular. With a spa, restaurant, and poolside bar as well as nine meeting rooms, the Palms is far from cozy, but the guest rooms are comfortable and possessed of enough personality to warrant the cost.

Over $300

With an in-between location alongside the causeway between downtown Miami and Miami Beach, The Standard (40 Island Ave., 305/673-1717, from $399 d) is a typically impressive property from Andre Balázs, the trendsetting hotelier. Guest rooms are labeled in whimsical but declarative fashion, with the “Missionary” referring to the small basic guest rooms, “Dry,” “Lush,” and “Wet” indicating views of the courtyard, gardens, or the Intracoastal Waterway, respectively, each of which are available in “medium” or “large” sizes. The spa aspect of the hotel is played up via outdoor tubs, waterfall showerheads, organic minibar snacks, and decor that’s all about clean lines and comfort; technophilic luxuries like free Wi-Fi, iPod docks, DVD players, flat-screen TVs, and cordless phones ensure a modern sense of style.

© Jason Ferguson from Moon Florida, 1st Edition