The Four Seasons is synonymous with top-notch service, and the 221-room Four Seasons Miami is no exception. This hotel is cooly elegant and immaculately maintained, with an elite fitness center, sophisticated steakhouse, and two large and lovely pool areas. Modern rooms are spacious with big, luxurious bathrooms; some have expansive water views. It's an ideal choice for a conference or business traveler crash pad, but the Financial District location makes it a bit less ideal for a romantic retreat or kid-friendly vacation. Note that fees like Wi-Fi and valet parking can add up quickly.

Secluded on an island overlooking Brickell Bay, the 326-room Mandarin Oriental offers a private retreat for couples, business travelers, and anyone else seeking an escape from the crowd. Chic, Asian-inspired decor, a three-level spa, and modern fitness center help soothe jangled nerves, while oversized rooms with water views offer ample opportunity to decompress. Unfortunately, all is not bliss here: Occasional reports of rude, untrained staff members and spotty housekeeping have disrupted the inner peace of some guests and South Beach is a cab ride away.

Located on the topmost floors of the JW Marriott building, the 44-room Hotel Beaux Arts, Autograph Collection is a luxury property in Downtown Miami's Financial District. Aside from an exclusive dining and lounge area, all features are shared with the JW Marriott, making the high-tech, luxe rooms here the biggest differentiators between the two hotels. Rooms have iPads, marble bathrooms with separate bathtubs and showers, and floor-to-ceiling windows with excellent views. A daily fee gives guests access to an indoor basketball court, virtual golf and bowling, an outdoor pool, and gym. An upscale Mediterranean restaurant, casual cafe, and coffee bar are on-site as well. For a larger pool and more kid-friendly environment, consider the Four Seasons Hotel Miami. 

Fortune House is an upscale, condo complex with 150 one- and two-bedroom condos complete with full kitchens and living areas. Decor varies from unit to unit -- some have more modern furnishings than others. The hotel has a heated, outdoor pool with a covered barbecue area and an attractive bar decorated with exotic plants. There’s also a restaurant and an impressive fitness center. One downside is the location, which is far from the beach -- a 15-minute drive away -- but business travelers will appreciate being housed in the Financial District and near a Metromover stop. Families may prefer Newport Beachside Hotel and Resort, a property with apartment-style suites on Sunny Isles Beach.

The 313-room JW Marriott Marquis is reminiscent of a luxury hotel in Vegas: Everything is big, from the light fixtures to the bathrooms, and the array of amenities is so extensive guests might not have to leave the premises -- there are three restaurants, a pool, a basketball court, a virtual bowling alley, a 3D theater room, a golf school, and a huge fitness center. A good choice for business travelers, the hotel is one of the most modern hotels in Downtown Miami, and all rooms come equipped with desktop computers and giant 52-inch flat-screen TVs. For even more luxurious digs, you may consider Hotel Beaux Arts, Marriott's boutique hotel on the top floors of the building.

Taking up 17 floors of a 36-story skyscraper downtown, this Hilton luxury offshoot has some swanky touches -- a rooftop pool, a top-notch spa and gym, 500-thread-count linens, and spacious standard rooms. The Conrad also has a great restaurant and The Bar at LvL 25 has sweeping views of Biscayne Bay and is a popular spot for happy hour. It should be noted that the hotel is geared toward business travelers so families wanting to spend time on the beach should look elsewhere. For a similar stay, compare rates with the neighboring JW Marriott.

Opened in 2009 by the Kimpton hotel group, EPIC is a luxurious Downtown hotel that attracts business professionals and leisure travelers who want to be removed from the South Beach scene. All guests will likely appreciate the two 16th-floor pools, spa facilities, daily wine hour, and upscale dining options. The 411 guests rooms sport comfortable beds, spacious bathrooms, and balconies with excellent Biscayne Bay or city views, but furniture is showing some wear. For a similar stay, compare rates with the nearby Conrad Miami or Intercontinental.

The 146-room W Miami is a luxury property in Downtown Miami with fabulous views over the city and Biscayne Bay. Conveniently located in the Brickell area, this hotel is popular with business travelers and tourists alike. Rotating DJs, weekly drink specials, and a 50th-floor weekend club keep the party atmosphere alive, while the large spa with hydrotherapy circuit and state-of-the-art fitness center are draws for others. The W brand's trendiness is apparent in the public spaces, though the rooms and suites feature a more sophisticated look. The elegant rooms have kitchenettes with microwaves and minibars, rainfall showers, and flat-screen TVs, as well as balconies. It's worth comparing rates with Kimpton Epic Hotel, located on the other side of the Miami River.

Efficient and business-focused, the Hyatt is in the heart of Downtown Miami. It features comfortable, modern rooms, a 24-hour gym, a small pool and an adjoining convention center to keeps the suits coming. Though it's close to public transportation, the beach is still a long way away.

A fine-tuned hospitality machine, Miami's JW Marriott nears perfection -- flawless service, comfortable rooms, and great amenities. (Or at least it beats the Conrad, Hilton's competition down the road.) Sure, it's styled like an office building, but that makes it easy to get some work done.