PRICE:
Frommer's Very Highly Recommended

The Raleigh is quintessential old school Miami Beach with a modern twist. Polished wood, original terrazzo floors, and an intimate martini bar add to the fabulous atmosphere that's favored by fashion photographers, for whom the hotel's fleur-de-lis pool is the favorite subject. In fact, one look at the pool and you'll expect Esther Williams to splash up in a dramatic, aquatic plié. The entire outdoor area is a stunning oasis that elicits oohs and aahs from even the most jaded jet-setters. Thanks to the hotel's owner Andre Balazs (of New York's Mercer and Los Angeles's Chateau Marmont and Standard hotels fame), rooms have been redone with period furnishings, iPod docking stations, gourmet minibars, and terrazzo floors (those overlooking the pool and ocean are the most peaceful). The massive penthouse is a favorite among visiting celebrities and authors. But it's the Raleigh's warm, romantic Deco atmosphere that lures people away from chillier, neighboring boutique hotels.

Copyright: Excerpted from Frommer's South Florida including Miami and Keys, 6th Edition, (c) 2008, Wiley Publishing, Inc.

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