The stunning 312-room W South Beach -- located on the beach, on the northern outskirts of South Beach -- blends cute comforts, intricate design (that spares no expense), and flawless service. Large, modern rooms; terraces angled to overlook the ocean; elegant landscaping around the pool; a lush Bliss spa -- the W tops the Miami greats.

Located on the topmost floors of the JW Marriott building, the 44-room Hotel Beaux Arts is even more upscale than the Marquis. Though its shared facilities with the Marquis may detract from its intimate, boutique feel, guests do have a special check-in area in the lobby, and the hotel is ultra luxe: all rooms have flat-screen TVs and iPads, the bathrooms are marble with separate bathtubs and showers, the decor is sleek (cherry wood floors, floor-to-ceiling windows, plush beds, minimalist furniture), and the views are amazing.

Paradise doesn't come cheap. Striking but sober mood-lit design; impeccable service; huge, immaculate rooms; three pools, each a different temperature; and a prime beachside location make the Setai one of the best hotels in Miami. Its restaurants are more about design than food, but several of Miami's best restaurants are just half a block away.

The 243-room St. Regis Bal Harbour is one of the most luxurious beachfront hotels in Miami. Highlights include lavish decor, spacious guestrooms with oceanfront balconies, two infinity pools, three on-site dining options, and a prime location across from Bal Harbour Shops. The hotel is an excellent choice for visitors who are indifferent to the South Beach party scene. Rooms are among Miami's priciest (for good reason); travelers looking for a cheaper alternative should try Fontainebleau Resort, 10 minutes south, which has less impressive rooms but more pools, restaurants, and nightlife. Those wanting to be closer to the action could also try the comparably luxurious W South Beach.

This 45-room hotel is located among homes of the super-rich on a lush, private island that's a 10-minute ferry ride from the Miami mainland. It doesn't have the party scene, the high-design rooms, or the gourmet restaurants of the mainland luxury hotels. But its history, charm, and beautiful golf and tennis facilities make it a great choice for couples and families looking for something special.

Stunning design by Kelly Wearstler, big rooms with kitchenettes, and a destination restaurant and lounge make the 162-room Viceroy strong competition for the sleek Epic hotel down the road. But the hotel would live up to its hip image better in South Beach than in its corporate neighborhood.

An award-winning golf course, beautiful pools, elegant rooms (though generic), and an amazing spa make the Turnberry Isle Miami a true luxury retreat. But there's little to eat beyond the compound's gate, and even the Aventura Mall is several minutes away. Digging deep to pay for ordinary grub can get painful.

The 100-room Hotel Breakwater's highlight is its location -- on Ocean Drive, across the street from the most popular area of the beach (however, proximity to Ocean Drive's restaurants and bars can mean noisy nights). The hotel takes up two adjacent towers, one of which is in the former Edison Hotel building. Rooms all feature handsome, modern yet minimal decor -- crisp white bedding with avocado-green throws, sepia-toned photographs, dark patterned carpets, and streamlined furniture. The rooftop lounge (where a Calvin Klein underwear ad was shot) is a popular nighttime spot, and the pool (though small) is sleek, and has views of the ocean.

This beautifully restored, 390-room beachfront property is a modern reincarnation of Miami’s first luxury hotel -- The Royal Palm. Highlights include two swimming pools, two restaurants, three bars, a nightclub, a full-service spa, stylish rooms, and a great address on swank Collins Avenue. The rooms are modern and sophisticated, with well-stocked minibars and original paintings by local artists. Guests have to pay a daily “beach fee,” but they get a lot in return, including free bikes, paddleboards, umbrellas, beach chairs, and fitness classes.