check these out no matter where you stay, they're beautiful and interesting.
At least $350 and up. fancy party trendy spot. Beautiful property and pool, *THE* place to stay these days. Awesome lobby bar, too. Big Sunday night party in the uber trendy and very enjoyable pool/bar area in the back. Beach in the back.
New Hyatt owned property, probably extremely expensive. Awesome bar on an upper floor with jellyfish projections on the huge wall, beautiful and creative lobby decor. Doubtless will be one of the hottest spots, it just opened. Probably not always quiet because of that bar. No beach like Shore Club, Raleigh and Delano though.
The premier, flagship, definitively South Beach classic. Madonna was an owner for awhile, etc etc. Stunning hotel, my favorite lobby area and an awesome pool. The pool bar isn the back is a favorite, as is the lobby Rose Bar. Whimsical Ian Schrager Alice-in-Wonderland-esque surrealist decor, sushi bar, and the best Sunday brunch in the universe. Unbelievably overpriced, probably ridiculously small and sparsely appointed minimalist rooms but hey. You stayed at the Delano! Beach is out the back gate. You must check this place out regardless of where you stay.
Another Ian Schrager hotel. Home to Nobu (famous sushi restaurant) and Sky Bar, a very trendy bar where celebrities hang out. I talked to Lenny Kravitz in the VIP room once! Sky Bar is on the ground floor, go figure...Pool area is very nice, not like Delano or National's though :-)
The pool is spectacular at night when it gets to be a scene, people line up to get back there. Probably not particularly quiet if you're on a lower floor. Rooms are small and minimalist, probably overpriced. Suites are decent sized. Again, you're a sucker to pay this much but you buy mucho cool points for all that cash. You stayed at the Shore Club! Beach access out the back gate.