DK Travel : Miami

At its best, Miami is all pastel hues and warm, velvety zephyrs – a tropical reverie. The culture is sensuous and physical, often spiked with Caribbean rhythms and accents. Outdoor activities hold sway throughout the area, at the world-famous beaches and in the turquoise waters; the vibrant nightlife, too, attracts pleasure-seekers, while significant historical sights are around every corner.

Mark’s South Beach, South Beach

Another connoisseur’s dream spot, just a block from the chicest beach in the US, at the Post-Modernized Hotel Nash. The setting is dreamy, to go with the artfully presented food (see Mark’s South Beach).
Marquesa Hotel, Key West

Built in 1884, the extravagant compound of four exquisitely restored “conch” houses is now set amid lush greenery. All rooms and suites have marble bathrooms.
Martini

Be prepared for this old standby to appear in a thousand creative guises: with unexpected fruit liqueurs, for example, or even with white or milk chocolate!
Matheson Hammock Park Beach

Considerably battered by 1992’s Hurricane Andrew, this 100-acre (40-ha) park is making a comeback. Developed in the 1930s by Commodore J. W. Matheson, it features the manmade Atoll Pool, a salt-water swimming pool encircled by sand and palm trees right alongside Biscayne Bay. The tranquil beach is popular with families and enjoys warm, safe waters surrounded by tropical hardwood forests. Other attractions include walking trails through the mangrove swamp.
Mayfair House

Set on top of an exclusive shopping mall, the hotel’s large suites have rich mahogany furniture, marble baths, and balconies. The style is a pleasing mix of Spain and the Far East, enhanced by Art Nouveau touches.
Mediterranean Gallery

A pleasing array of imported ceramics. The pottery and garden decorations come from Spain, Colombia, and Mexico, while the columns and mouldings are made by the proprietors themselves.
Merrick Villages

Driving around Coral Gables to take in these charming residences, done up in the styles of various national and regional cultures, will take perhaps a couple of hours (see Merrick’s Coral Gables Fantasies).
Merrick’s Coral Gables Fantasies

The 1920s boom saw a need to build not only structures but also an identity. George Merrick rose to the challenge and created fantasy wonderlands that continue to stir the imagination today.
Miami Art Museum

Besides impressive temporary shows, MAM’s collection focuses on art since the 1940s, and includes works by Frankenthaler, Gottleib, Rauschenberg, and Stella.
Miami Beach Post Office

The classy Deco entrance has a triptych mural of Ponce de Leon and the Native American peoples.

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Hotel price categories

For a standard, double room per night (with breakfast if included), taxes and extra charges.
- under $100
- $100–$200
- $200–$250
- $250–$300
- over $300