Few places outside the Caribbean are quite as beautiful as Miami Beach. Soft white sand is lapped with aquamarine waters and white-crested waves, making it the perfect place to catch a golden tan. Colorful beach huts are dotted along the shore, and palm trees and sea grapes line the popular boardwalk. Book a room at one of the luxury hotels on Miami Beach, and this is the sight that will greet you every morning, along with the most beautiful sunrise skies.

Staying on Miami Beach has other benefits too. The cafes and restaurants on Ocean Drive are within easy walking distance for a Cuban sandwich lunch or a tasty Italian entree. Sit at Starbucks over an iced frappuccino, if you can get a table, and listen to conversations in every language but English. This is, after all, the gateway to the Americas! For those who want to stay right on the beach, look no further than these select luxury hotels, each with their own historic charm and character.

The ultimate in Art Deco revival is the Delano Hotel, with the trendy boutiques of Collins at the front and the gorgeous poolside cabanas to the rear. Beyond the palm-shaded, underwater-music pool is Miami Beach itself, which can be enjoyed from your poolside daybed. The lobby is impressive but the rooms are Philippe Starck minimalist white. Nonetheless, the beach side location of this luxury hotel cannot be beaten.

Not quite on the beach, The Tides is actually on desirable Ocean Drive with views over Lummus Park to the beach and ocean. Watch cruise ships and container boats keeping the ports of Miami busy from your own telescope, provided with the rooms. The premier boutique hotel suites are popular with international celebs for its great central location. This luxury hotel, on Conde Nast's Gold list, has iPod docking stations, plasma TVs, Nespresso coffee machines and divine Molten Brown toiletries. One downside - the central location can be noisy at night.

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