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ROMANCE COMES FIRST:

Mayfair Hotel and Spa

Located in Coconut Grove within the Coco Walk complex, the Mayfair has offbeat architecture and tons of style, with a central tropical courtyard. Recently renovated, the new decor shows off the unique design of this historic property better than ever before.

The Good: From the minute you pull into the Belle Epoque-styled portico, you'll be intrigued by the soft, undulating and sensuous architecture of the building. Choose a luxury suite and you get a two-person Japanese-style hot tub on your private balcony.

The Bad: It's expensive and not near the port or the beach.

SO VERY HIP AND TRENDY

The Hotel of South Beach

The sign atop this Deco-district charmer still says The Tiffany; it's protected as a historic landmark! The Hotel was the very first to have been designed by a U.S. fashion designer (others have since followed in its wake). Todd Oldham's sense of whimsy permeates the rooms and public spaces with both minimalist furnishings and hippie-chic colors, tiles and tie-dye.

The Good: Its location on Collins Avenue is fantastic (just a block from the noisy Ocean Drive nightlife), and the rooftop pool looking out to the ocean has been the backdrop for many a fashion shoot in Miami Beach. Wish, its award-winning restaurant, is set in an indoor-outdoor garden. Expect to see pop-stars and literatti enjoying The Hotel's breezy porches and terrazzo-floored lobby.

The Bad: Parking is an issue but there's a valet. Choose a room near the back if you don't want to be bothered by nighttime noise. Many rooms have shower only, no tubs.

See our Photo Album of The Hotel.

BRING ON DA FUNK

The Pelican

If you've ever had the desire to stay in a room named, really, Some Like it Wet, here's your chance. This hotel, owned by the folks who bring you Diesel jeans, couldn't be more funky. Every room has a theme of some sort, whether it's A Fortune in Aluminum or Viva Las Vegas or, as noted above, Some Like it Wet. The location on Ocean Drive, in the middle of everything SoBe, is topnotch.

The Good: Location, location, location. Not only can you walk across the street to a breathtaking slice of Miami Beach, you can wander down Ocean Drive to the News Cafe, sit on the hotel's front porch to people-watch, or dine on its beachfront terrace and ogle the skaters as they inline down the beach's Broadwalk in their skin-tight 'kinis. And then you can laugh as you return to your room; whatever theme you choose, it will be fun.

The Bad: Smallish rooms, no view, and front rooms get lots of Ocean Drive noise at night. Valet parking only.

See our Photo Album of the Pelican Hotel.

AIRPORT QUICK-SLEEP

Hampton Inn and Suites Miami Airport Blue Lagoon

With all of the hotels around the airport, in the long run, we really didn't have too much difficulty choosing this one. We are fans of convenience when it's contained in a clean, hospitable environment, and this hotel offers the best of everything you need.

The Good: Perks aplenty, including free airport shuttle, free Internet (both wi-fi and broadband); free hot breakfast or, for those who are really rushing, a bagged breakfast; free local phone calls; kids stay free and the hotel has plenty of adjoining rooms; coffee-makers and irons/ironing boards in the rooms; plus a pool and exercise room and free USA Today. There's even a Park 'n Stay package for those driving to the port.

The Bad: Well, not much. There's no port shuttle and no restaurant, but that's about it. (There is a convenience store for necessities though.