Debuting in 2009 and designed by Marcel Wanders, the off-the-beach Mondrian is as stylish as its party-centric South Beach siblings, the Delano and Shore Club, but lacks the hyped-up clubbers. Its impeccable service, kitchen-equipped rooms, and notable after-parties at the Sunset Lounge draw well-heeled singles but also families seeking more than the PG-13 kitsch of most family hotels.

An extravagant, 790-room beachfront giant geared toward service, the Loews has the features of a mega-resort -- a huge free-form pool, organized kids' activities, and four on-site restaurants -- all in the heart of South Beach. A great pick for families who don't want to be stranded in a remote resort further north, like the Fontainebleau or Newport.

A huge (though relaxed) beachfront resort with reliable service, a great pool, a top-notch spa, and a modern fitness center, the Ritz offers more for the money. Less crowded than its hip, style-focused boutique neighbors, the family-friendly Ritz is still in a prime position to explore SoBe.

Relaxed and private (rare for South Beach), the Metropole draws families and low-key groups to a quieter, shopping-focused street one block away from the beachside party scene. Adventurously designed apartment-style rooms come with full kitchens and private bedrooms, but the hotel lacks other amenities -- no gym, no spa, unreliable Wi-Fi, and just a tiny, shallow pool.

The 18-room Sense Hotel has a modern, minimalist look throughout, starting with the stark white lobby and continuing with the neon orange-lit hallways and the sleek, sexy rooms (which feature photographic murals covering the walls behind the comfy beds). The spacious rooms are definitely the highlight, with updated amenities such as iPod docks and flat-screen TVs, and nice bathrooms with walk-in showers and teak accents. But those looking for extra amenities (or really any amenities) will be disappointed -- there is no fitness center, spa, or restaurant (although there's talk of one being planned), and the rooftop pool is small and doesn't have the hip vibe (or the drink service) that many other SoBe hotel pools have. Therefore, it's surprising that the hotel charges a resort fee (it covers in-room Wi-Fi and beach and towel rentals). That aside, the hotel is in a nice location on a quieter spot of Ocean Drive -- still just a block from the beach and a short walk from the center of the SoBe action.

Comparable to its next-door neighbor the South Beach Marriott in both price and quality, the Bentley places stately decor (marble floors, fringed drapes) within beachside condo-style suites -- a curious combo. The amenities are nice, but if you're looking for quiet luxury in South Beach, take that $300+ a night and head 15 to 20 blocks northward.

Renovated in 2004, the South Beach Marriott meets the standards of its parent company (clean, comfortable rooms; competent service) while providing a few pleasant surprises of its own (an aviary; a scenic patio), all in a hip SoBe neighborhood. But for the price, you can usually find a South Beach hotel that also offers doting service and innovative design.

An aging 110-room Art Deco hotel, the Marseilles is one of South Beach's cheapest beachfront hotels, with a decent pool. But it's cheap for a reason -- the standard rooms are old, dingy, and fairly uncomfortable. For better rooms, plan to pay more or move off the beach.

With basic but clean rooms, direct beach access, a nice pool, and an address on swank Collins Avenue, the low-key South Seas is one of the best values in SoBe -- if you can tolerate small bathrooms and a tiny gym with no air-conditioning.