Fodor's Expert Review Santa Maria Suites

It's odd to call this a hidden gem when it sits on a prominent corner just one block off Duval, but a concrete facade keeps this luxurious find well secluded from the outside world. Six two-story buildings completely surround the courtyard filled with towering date palms and free-form swimming pools. And the suites offer as much inside as the courtyard does outside. Hello, gorgeous. Modern, spacious, with a touch of tropical verve and an overload of high-end style, the units have a chef's kitchen with a Jenn-Air cooktop, Cuisinart pans, and stainless fridge and freezer drawers (filled with ice-cream bars). Bathrooms are sleek with dual shower heads and vessel sinks. The long list of extras includes in-unit washer and dryer, umbrellas, toiletries, free poolside smoothies, a daily happy hour, and a nightly delivery of muffins. There's beach-chair setup at nearby South Beach, too.