6 Best Hotels in Miami and Miami Beach, Florida

In South Beach's SoFi (South of Fifth) neighborhood, the boutique Lord Balfour hotel is a great fit for young travelers who want to get out and experience South Beach (as opposed to sitting at a resort all day) and then return to stylish digs. Guest rooms within this refurbished art deco building are simple and swathed in neutral tones. There's a small plunge pool on the roof deck, and hotel guests get two beach chairs on the sand. A ground-floor restaurant serves Latin-inspired food and drinks.

A former home to World War II officer cadets, this gem has been reimagined as an oasis in South Beach, offering the antithesis of the sometimes maddening jet-set scene, with 34 distinctive rooms exuding understated luxury. All rooms implement art deco style and feature beautiful antiques hand chosen by the hotel's proprietor. Vintage touches, like iron lighting fixtures and steamer trunks, add nice accent notes. If you're looking for loud music and wild times, go elsewhere. Cadet is more about enjoying a good read on the patio and discovering elusive serenity in the heart of South Beach. Little touches, like candles in the lobby, fresh flowers all around, high-thread-count sheets, and small pouches filled with fresh lavender or seashells, depending on the season, show care and sophistication. This intimate hideaway is one block away from Lincoln Road, two blocks from the beach, and two blocks from the New World Center. Clark Gable stayed in Room 224 during his time training with the Army Air Corps in the 1940s.

The Catalina is a fun, budget party spot in the heart of South Beach, attracting plenty of early twentysomethings who value freebies like a nightly drink hour, airport shuttles, fitness classes, two fun pools, and beach chairs over posh digs. It's across the street from the beach, but nobody seems to mind the short walk. Each of the Catalina's three buildings has a distinct feel: the original Catalina (with the smallest, most inexpensive rooms) is an exercise in camp, with red-shag carpets, two-story glass windows, and monumental sheer drapes. The midrange rooms are in the old Maxine Hotel, decorated in rock baroque and featuring a karaoke machine in the lobby. Room 400 here is one of the beach's best values, with a private sundeck overlooking the strip. The most luxurious part of the Catalina is the Dorset Hotel, which now houses the hotel's biggest rooms. Its outdoor restaurant, Maxine's Bistro, overlooks the passersby on this very sexy strip of Collins Avenue, making the Catalina an entertainment complex in its own right.

The art-deco, bright Miami vibe oozes through this hotel only steps away from the beach and main attractions of Mid-Beach. There are plenty of room options, including hostel-like bunk bed rooms for the younger crowd, but the Generator is a place for all ages. A gorgeous pool in the back along with Pikio Taco as the dining option that brings in hotel guests and locals alike, The Generator captures the essence of Miami perfectly. Go ahead and spoil yourself with one of the many private room options and enjoy what the city truly has to offer.

Tucked away on Indian Creek Drive inside a restored art deco building (once the Greenbrier Hotel) is this boho-chic boutique hotel with oversize rooms and suites, each impeccably decorated with retro Mediterranean flair. The property's pool is located in a lush, tropical garden that feels like a private oasis. The on-site restaurant, aptly named Greenbrier Swim and Social, features an all-day menu of salads and sandwiches, as well as a full cocktail bar. While it's not located directly on the beach, complimentary beach umbrellas, chairs, and towel set-ups are provided.

This tropical, retro boutique hotel in the heart of Little Havana is both budget-friendly and chic, putting you close to the sights and sounds of Miami's Cuban culture for a fraction of what you'd pay on Miami Beach. Thoughtful community-driven design, including coworking spaces and a hammock-festooned lounge out back provide a social atmosphere. The light-filled rooms have dark woods and retro touches, and there are cool (and somehow inviting) adult bunk-bed configurations for groups. The Terras rooftop restaurant and bar has a buzzy energy.