Hotel Astor

A masterpiece in the middle of South Beach's Art Deco District, the Hotel Astor reigns as a bastion of modern design and sophistication. Located only two blocks from the world-famous trendy cafes, shops and nightclubs of Ocean Drive, the minimalist Art-Deco hotel also is a three-block walk to the beach, where many recreational opportunities abound.

The hotel's Maison D'Azur is popular among tourists and locals for French Riviera-inspired cuisine. One of the area's most popular spots is the restaurant's dining patio with tropical gardens and waterfall wall.

The nautical Deco-style guestrooms, with their faux portholes, custom-designed furniture, and frosted glass, will convince occupants they're bedding down in ocean-liner staterooms. Plush beds are made with French duvets. Decorated in soothing shades of taupe with coir- style carpets, junior suites feature courtyards or city views and massive marble bathrooms with large bathtubs.

The suites also include fully stocked minibars, twin sofa beds, bathrobes, data ports, safes and high-speed Internet service. Superior Rooms feature queen-sized beds and large marble bathrooms with oversized tubs and showers and brushed chrome fixtures. In addition, all rooms feature wireless Internet access (included in resort fee), cable TVs with premium channels, stereo systems with CD players, dimmer lights, and nightly turndown with complimentary chocolates.

Streamlined all-white sofas and chairs, Art Deco architectural features and a huge vintage Vornado fan by the front door give the lobby of the Hotel Astor the look of an old movie set. The place is hugely popular with models, photographers, celebrities and fashion types.