Service is full of small but classy touches, like the extra towels that are delivered to rooms on wooden trays. Around the pool, food is brought with both a table by your lounge chair and a bed tray, should you wish to lie back and nibble. The concierge staff is especially accommodating, from getting yoga class schedules from the beautiful Sports Club/LA gym to making restaurant reservations. All requests are dealt with promptly and thoroughly.

The prompt porters do more than carry your bags -- they actually remember your name throughout your stay. Unlike at other hotels, where calls for service are met with constantly ringing lines, every call here is promptly answered by a staff member happy to send extra toiletries your way or help plot a jogging route around Downtown Miami. Everyone who works at the Epic -- a member of the service-savvy Kimpton Hotel Group -- is clearly proud of this freshly opened resort (as of 2009) and is delighted to show it off. It really makes all the difference.

From yoga trainers at the gym to waiters who can patiently explain the entire wine list at Azul to complimentary use of the spa and locker rooms long after checkout, the Mandarin Oriental's service is designed to accommodate guests with whatever they need, whenever they need it.