The Palms Hotel & Spa

Combining old-school Havana, Deep South sultriness and a touch of glam, this boutique hotel is a romantic alternative to the South Beach brigade. The airy lobby feels colonial, with its Bombay-style ceiling fans, wood floors, rattan furniture and lush greenery. On the veranda, you half expect to see a Southern belle sipping a mint julep or a colonial officer with a G&T. Dotted with palms, parrots and hammocks, the gardens are a luscious setting for the pool. The recently renovated guest rooms feature custom wood furnishings and spa-inspired rainshower heads in the bathroom. A spa, stocked with Aveda products, puts you in an unwinding kind of mood. South Beach is a bit of a trek (on foot, at least), but the boardwalk is a lovely way to get there.