Coastal Vote: A Beach-Lover's Guide to South Beach, Miami

The Betsy Hotel is located on the quieter side of Miami’s iconic Ocean Drive. The 130 rooms and suites incorporate a taste of the tropical: palm-motif walls and potted house plants mixed with marble-finished bathrooms, walnut floors, fine art from the owner’s private collection and balconies with views of the Art Deco district. Staff curate events and activities such as yoga classes and live-music performances. LT Steak & Seafood, the main restaurant, specializes in Black Angus steaks and fresh-caught fish.

The Nautilus has so much going for it. For starters, the 250-room hotel is a three-minute walk to the Miami Beach Boardwalk. Next, the design: the historic property is one of the city’s original Art Deco landmarks. Plus, there’s the fitness element: guests can work out on a Peloton bike, a choice of three ellipticals and three treadmills, or do their crunches in front of an interactive Echelon mirror where you get on-demand boxing, Zumba cardio and boxing classes. All so you can look the part when hitting up SoBe’s sands.

Before we talk about the food, a word or two about the setting at 1 Hotel South Beach’s Wave Club. The Tulum-inspired al fresco restaurant makes liberal use of sprawling daybeds, swaying palms and overstuffed pillows. Being beachside and oh-so bohemian, you’ll be tempted to bury your toes in the sand – and, happily, Wave hosts Barefoot Sundays. It’s a place to relax and eat – specifically, the seafood: grouper ceviche, soft-shell crab and platters that use only sustainable sources.

Art Deco is to Miami what Gaudí is to Barcelona. The city has the highest concentration of Art Deco buildings in the world, especially in South Beach. Get close-ups of iconic landmarks (many of them on the beachfront), such as the Carlyle Night Club, Cardozo South Beach Hotel, Miami Post Office and the Marlin Hotel. Guides unpack the architectural history on both the Art Deco Walking Tour and the more spirited Miami Art Deco Cocktail Tour.

One of the whimsical highlights of the Delano Beach Club is award-winning hotel designer Philippe Starck’s Alice in Wonderland-inspired garden path that leads guests to the iconic swimming pool and the ocean. That connection to the sea continues at the Delano’s rooftop Ciel Spa, where guests can indulge in classic treatments, as well as the Ocean Meditation and Yoga for larger groups, and the Polynesian Body Bath, using milk and honey.

Snow crabs. Stone crabs. Alaskan king crabs. This family-owned crab shack on Ocean Drive in South Beach has been operating, in one form or another, since the family emigrated from Greece in 1921. In addition to the city’s favorite crab cakes, you can also chow down on oysters, lobster, grouper, salmon, scallops, calamari and other seafood. But do order DJ’s signature deviled crab: baked and served in its original shell.

So, your hotel isn’t right on the beach? You can pay-as-you-go at Nikki Beach Club, which has been welcoming jetsetters and travelers since 1998. Splurge for a comfy day bed on the sand or under one of the cabanas. DJs spin on the decks, the menu ticks off sushi rolls and freshly caught seafood, and weekends see the club offer up Rosé Saturdays and Sunday brunches with waffles on tap.

The iconic boardwalk is often referred to as the South Beach Boardwalk or, simply, Beachwalk, because it passes by numerous legendary South Beach sights. You can follow the boardwalk all the way from 5th Street in South Beach to 46th Street at Indian Beach Park. You’ll pass through a number of ‘hoods and landmarks, including the Ocean Drive promenade, North Shore Open Park and Surfside. Bikes are verboten in some stretches, and be prepared to share your personal space with joggers.