Betsy

The Betsy stands out among its South Beach neighbors, and not just because its colonial-style building à la Gone With the Wind is an anomaly in a sea of Art Deco. Situated on the northernmost end of Ocean Drive (read: the quieter part), the hotel boasts one of the best locations on the beach, with a generous helping of Southern hospitality, as well as arts and cultural programming for enlightened travelers and locals. You won’t find bathtubs full of mineral water and rose petals here, but you will find charming little touches, such as a bookmark with poems left on your pillow in lieu of chocolates, Malin+Goetz goodies in the bathrooms and a 20- to 30-book library in each of the recently expanded 131 guestrooms (the hotel also provides a book bag for easy transport to and from the beach). If it’s vistas you’re after, head to the rooftop pool and terrace—perfect for a day of baking in the sun or a romantic cocktail as the sun sets and home to Miami’s only open-air spa in the sky. For upscale fare, visit the on-site LT Steak and Seafood, chef Laurent Tourondel's namesake eatery that serves up some of the city’s best slabs of beef. More casual meals are now served at The Alley, the hotel’s new Italian pizzeria and gelateria situated in the 14th Place breezeway connecting Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue.