1. Albion Hotel South Beach
City: Miami Beach, FL
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (305) 913-1000
Address: 1650 James Ave.
Description: The 1939 Nautical Deco style is still well-known after a 2008 renovation. The Albion boasts modern amenities and decor at the 100-guest room property, which features luxury suites, equipped with ocean-view terraces. In addition to a free continental breakfast, the Albion offers free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.
2. Claridge Hotel
City: Miami Beach, FL
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (305) 604-8485
Address: 3500 Collins Ave.
Description: The intimate 50-room hotel dates back to 1928 and has since been restored to highlight its Spanish colonial art and volcanic rock columns. The location is accessible to north and south beaches, but with an on-site lounge, restaurant, and fitness center it would be easy to stick around the neighborhood.
3. Delano Hotel
City: Miami Beach, FL
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (305) 672-2000
Address: 1685 Collins Ave.
Description: The indoor/outdoor lobby and international furniture collection is one thing that sets this South Beach staple apart. Their pool is well-known for its prime real estate and design, boasting underwater music and shallow areas that allow for in-water sitting, drinking or dining. Several bars and restaurants are on-site as well as direct beach access. Check the website for specials during all seasons.
4. Fontainebleau Miami Beach
City: Miami Beach, FL
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (305) 538-2000
Address: 4441 Collins Ave.
Description: This historic hotel, established in 1954 with 554 guest rooms, is as much a part of the city as the beach itself. The Fontainebleau is now more of a small city than anything—1,504 guest rooms on 22 acres with 11 restaurants and a 40,000-square-foot spa are only a few of the offerings.
5. Hotel Shelley
City: Miami Beach, FL
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (305) 531-3341
Address: 844 Collins Ave.
Description: After undergoing a recent $1.5 million renovation, Shelley (originally built in 1931) still maintains the old beach charm but has a stylish edge and an affordable advantage. There are 49 guest rooms, which include room features such as 300-thread-count linens, goose-down pillows and comforters, LCD plasma TVs, and custom-built cabinetry. The lobby bar features free drinks from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. nightly and also offers free airport transportation to and from Miami International Airport.
6. Hotel Victor
City: Miami Beach, FL
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (305) 428-1234
Address: 1144 Ocean Dr.
Description: Only a slight downgrade from the towering hotels, Victor is a boutique hotel with only 88 rooms. Built in 1937, the hotel closed its doors in the 1960s and reopened in 2003 after a $48 million renovation. All the swanky side dishes are also available at this site: a pool, spa, and beach access.
7. Indian Creek Hotel
City: Miami Beach, FL
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (305) 531-2727
Address: 2727 Indian Creek Dr.
Description: The history of Indian Creek Hotel dates back to 1936 when it was built in an authentic Art Deco style, which was recently restored. The contrast between old and new presents itself with amenities such as free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, an award-winning restaurant on-site available for lunch and dinner and all the standard electronics in each of the 61 rooms.
8. Island House South Beach
City: Miami Beach, FL
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (800) 382-2422 or (305) 864-24
Address: 1428 Collins Ave.
Description: A full breakfast buffet and free happy hour beer are two big perks. The rates are another: Summer rates for junior rooms, with double or queen beds, start at $79; the same rooms are $89 in the winter. Keep in mind that room rates vary by season; summer is May 1 through November 21; winter is November 22 through April 30.
9. The National Hotel Miami Beach
City: Miami Beach, FL
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (305) 532-2311
Address: 1677 Collins Ave.
Description: The National is another Deco landmark on Collins Avenue, which was fully restored in 1997 and is at the center of Miami’s entertainment industry. The lobby is never dull; a full-time production department at the hotel regularly coordinates casting calls, photo-, and television shoots. Despite its grandeur, the hotel is relatively manageable with only 151 rooms, though standard features including beach access, spa, restaurant, and bar are still offered on-site.
10. The Raleigh
City: Miami Beach, FL
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (305) 534-6300
Address: 1775 Collins Ave.
Description: The Raleigh has endured what seems like a lifetime in Miami Beach. After its construction in 1940 by architect L. Murray Dixon, the hotel endured a war administration invasion during World War II, when troops were housed at the hotel. Also little known: The postwar hotel was kosher and utilized its ballroom as a synagogue. Today, while not an army post or religious site, the Raleigh is still a Beach icon that included standard beach amenities such as pool, beach access, restaurants, and bars.
11. The Ritz-Carlton Miami Beach
City: Miami Beach, FL
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (786) 276-4000
Address: 1 Lincoln Rd.
Description: This one mostly speaks for itself, but few would guess that the restoration dates back to 1953 and was designed by Morris Lapidus. Today, the hotel includes nearly 400 rooms and a 16,000-square-foot spa. Aside from being on prime real estate near Lincoln Road and the beach itself, the hotel features 2 restaurants and a $2 million art collection throughout the space.
12. The Sagamore Hotel
City: Miami Beach, FL
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (305) 535-8088
Address: 1671 Collins Ave.
Description: Aside from landing a spot on Conde Nast Traveler’s Hold List, the Sagamore is officially known as the Art Hotel—a big name to live up to in South Beach. Video art is a recent focus of the hotel curators, which are exhibited throughout the spaces of the hotel. A spa and beach access are other big pluses.
City: Miami Beach, FL
Category: Accommodations
Address: 2001 Collins Ave.
14. Shelborne Beach Resort
City: Miami Beach, FL
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (800) 327-8757
Address: 1801 Collins Ave.
Description: Though rates are a bit higher than the $15 per day for an ocean penthouse in the 1940s, you’ll certainly be surrounded by history in this historic site. Its 30-foot Deco sign is recognizable from down Collins Avenue. In addition to the poolside bar and direct beach access, the Shelborne has dining options on site and is centrally located on 18th Street and Collins Avenue.
15. The Standard, Miami
City: Miami Beach, FL
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (305) 673-1717
Address: 40 Island Ave.
Description: The Standard is best known as a spa hotel and caters to a swanky low-key crowd that wants beach access without the rowdiness. The brainchild of famed hotelier André Balazs, the Standard features over-the-top amenities such as outdoor yoga spaces and various health care workshops and clinics. Events take place at the hotel regularly and utilize the restaurant and meeting rooms on-site.