Gale South Beach

This 1941 L. Murray Dixon-designed tropical deco stalwart received a $35 million top-to-bottom makeover courtesy of Menin Hotels (the folks behind Sanctuary), before its grand reopening in late 2012. Guest rooms recall the 1940s, with streamlined dark wood furniture, silver silk curtains and simple white and blue color schemes; gadgets include iPod docking stations and 55-inch flatscreen TVs. Dining and drinking options keep an old-school flavor; the Regent Cocktail Club mixes up classic concoctions, while the Rec Room evokes a hint of 1970s-style basement playroom. On the roof, there’s a 5,000-square-foot sun deck complete with infinity pool, loungers and 360-degree views.