The Browns Hotel

SoFi is short for "south of Fifth," the area at the southern tip of SoBe (which is itself, of course, short for South Beach. Someday, you have to think, Miami Beach will just be called MiBe). A derelict neighborhood until several high-profile restaurants helped gentrified the area in the mid-'90s, SoFi is now one of the most desirable parts of SoBe to live in, with several exclusive high-rise condo complexes lining the coast.

That means that you can expect a very different vibe than you'd experience five to 10 blocks north, in South Beach's mosh pit. By day, SoFi is fairly sleepy. The beach is much quieter than it is half a mile up; traffic is minimal. The only site worth checking out is South Pointe Park, at the southern tip of the cape. Flanked by high-end restaurants and luxury condos on one side and a yacht harbor on the other, the park is a great place to picnic, rollerblade, toss a Frisbee, or just watch other people do all that.

At night, the miniskirts go on, the Audis come out, and SoFi transforms into a veritable hot spot. Some of the hottest bars, clubs, and eateries are now in SoFi, but they're more spread out than they are in the heart of South Beach, so it's tougher to just wander around and pick one. It helps to do some planning ahead of time.

Among the bars and clubs to consider: Nikki Beach, a club that also conducts daytime events, and Ted's Hideaway, an unpretentious local bar. There's also a Starbucks across the street, next door to the Marriott, for all you venti-nonfat-iced-mochaccino addicts.

• 25-minute drive or $35 taxi to Miami International Airport
• 40-minute drive or $65 taxi to Fort Lauderdale International Airport
• 25-minute drive to the Port of Miami
• Five-minute drive to Parrot Jungle Island and the Miami Children's Museum
• 20-minute walk or five-minute drive to the Lincoln Road pedestrian mall and the Miami Beach Convention Center

• King rooms (with a king-size bed) have a living area and bedroom, partially separated by a narrow wall
• King Suites offer a bit more space and a large work desk -- very limited seating room -- partially separated from the bedroom by a wall-length curtian; suites also have a mini-fridge, microwave, and coffeemaker.
• The Penthouse Suite has a larger living area and a stocked minibar.
• All rooms have CD players, iPod docks, and multiple flat-screen TVs.
• L'Occitaine bath products (also found in a handful of the best Sofitels and Four Seasons around the world)
• Rainfall showerheads
• Extra flat-screen TV to be viewed from the toilet
• No smoking rooms
• Free hard-wired Internet; no Wi-Fi
• Bathrobes
• Excellent bedding

• Guests have access to the rooftop pool at the neighboring Prime Hotel, but there is no pool on site.
• No fitness center at either hotel
• No Wi-Fi, but the neighboring Prime Hotel offers free Wi-Fi in the lounge, on the rooftop deck, and in the guest rooms.
• Room service from five restaurants: Prime One Twelve, Prime Italian, Nemo, Shoji Sushi, and Big Pink
• Three restaurants are downstairs: Prime One Twelve, Prime Bar and Lounge, and Prime Italian