USA Guide
Florida
Accommodation
1 Albion Hotel 1650 James Ave, South Beach 
1-877/RUBELLS 
www.rubellhotels.com A sensitive conversion of a classic Nautical Deco building, this is one of the best-value hotels on the beach. Rooms are hip but simple; the raised pool – with portholes cut into its sides – is also a big draw. Price: $76-100
2 
Cadet Hotel 1701 James Avenue 305/672-6688 www.cadethotel.com Tranquil boutique hotel, with a fresh, clean look enhanced with bamboo floors and a patio-garden where you can enjoy a glass of wine; the fresh strawberries and chocolate in the rooms upon arrival are nice touches. Price: $101-130
3 Catalina 1732 Collins Ave 305/674-1160 Simple white rooms are filled with luxe touches like flatscreen TVs and marble bathrooms, plus there's an outdoor pool, a sundeck, and a bamboo-filled zen courtyard for reading or meditating. Price: $76-100
4 Clay Hotel Hostel-Miami Beach International Youth Hostel 1438 Washington Ave, South Beach 1-800/379-2529 www.clayhotel.com This beautiful converted monastery serves as the city's best budget hotel and youth hostel. Private rooms with bath from $75, without bath from $60; dorm rooms $25 IYH members, $26 others including linens, with rates dropping to $20 for all dorm guests in the summer.
5 The Hotel 801 Collins Ave 305/531-2222 or 1-877/843-4683 www.thehotelofsouthbeach.com Designer Todd Oldham oversaw every element in the renovation of this hotel, and his colourful yet thoughtful makeover makes it one of the best luxury options on the beach. Don't miss the rooftop pool, shaped like a gemstone in honor of the hotel's original name. Price: $131-160
6 Miami Beach International Travellers Hostel 236 9th St, South Beach 305/534-0268 www.hostelmiamibeach.com Friendly hostel with beds in four-person dorms starting at $25, as well as private singles (from $89) and doubles ($49 per person). Offers free breakfast, internet facilities, kitchen, laundry, a movie-lounge, and also books tours.
7 Park Central 640 Ocean Drive, South Beach 305/538-1611 www.theparkcentral.com Colonial-safari-style rooms (soundproofed against the noise from nearby clubs) with reasonable rates for South Beach. Price: $101-130
8 Pelican 826 Ocean Drive, South Beach 1-800/7-PELICAN www.pelicanhotel.com Each room at this campy, quirky hotel is individually themed and named – try the lush red bordello known as the "Best Little Whorehouse." Price: $131-160
9 The Shore Club 1901 Collins Ave, South Beach 305/695-3100 www.shoreclub.com Ultra-trendy hotel on the beach, with minimalist, brightly coloured rooms and several swanky bar-restaurants, like the poolside Sky Bar with giant overstuffed square seats and a tough door policy. Price: From $251
10 The Standard Miami 40 Island Ave, South Beach 305/673-1717 www.standardhotels.com/miami/ The Miami outpost of hip hotelier André Balazs's Standard chain has transformed a forlorn hotel on Belle Isle into spa accommodation complete with Turkish baths and a yoga center. Price: $131-160
11 Townhouse 150 20th St, South Beach 1-877/534-3800 www.townhousehotel.com Small but stylish white rooms, great staff, free breakfast, and squishy rooftop waterbeds – all at a fraction of most boutique hotel prices. Price: $101-130