My wife and I (ages 28 & 25) will be travelling to Miami for a wedding in mid-December. We are looking for an upscale hotel for about 5 nights in the Miami area. We are basically looking to veg out for most of the time at the pool/beach and maybe go out a little at night. I have been looking into most of the usual suspects - Tides, Shore Club, Delano, Loews, National, Ritz-Carlton Key Biscane - and would love any thoughts. Also, any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Can't speak from personal experience, but the Mandarin Oriental?? Sounds like what you're looking for, unless you need to be on the beach rather than by a pool and the bay. Otherwise, I'd probably head back to Loew's and get a concierge level room.

We stayed at the Delano for two nights back in July and could have stayed a week. Actually, I'd like to make it an annual pilgrimage!

The Delano is incredibly cool and hip, the area around the pool and cabanas is beautiful and their beach is well-staffed with attendants. The guests are international and look like they walked off the pages of Vogue. The service was excellent and was devoid of the snobbery I had come to expect.

I had also heard that the rooms are small, but ours was fine with the most comfortable king-sized hotel bed I've ever slept in.

The lobby is fantastic. Even if you don't stay at the Delano, you have to drop in and walk around.

I didn't mention the Mandarin Oriental because I thought it might be too corporate and not as "resorty" as some of the others. I don't have to be on the beach - the pool is fine - but I would want to spend a fair amount of time there and want it to be a nice, resort-loke atmosphere at the pool.

As for the Delano, I have been in the lobby for drinks and am intrigued, but am afraid that it may be a little too hip for me, as neither my wife nor I are movie stars, strippers or millionaires. However, if you think regular types can still enjoy the scene without feeling too intimidated, I am definitely game.

We're in our mid-30's, we live in the 'burbs, and have 2 kids (who we left at home!). We are far from being members of the glam set - no one would confuse us for Tom and Penelope. We met a couple staying at the Delano who had their 3 mo. old baby with them.

I thought I'd feel really self-conscious or that I wouldn't fit in, but I felt fine. I basically wore flip flops and a baseball hat around the pool and beach all day. My wife wore a sarong/wrap, flip flops, and a straw hat. Like the other hotel guests, we dressed up for drinks and dinner at night. Lincoln Road is only one block away. The staff treated me as well as the various divas who hang about the place. Well, maybe not as well, but I never felt slighted or ignored by the staff. My mojito was served with the same smile as someone else's.

I definitely did not feel intimidated.

The Delano is really great. My favorite on that list.

topping

I am not impressed with the Delano at all. Its all-white decor reminds me of a hospital ward! Adam, for your purposes, I think the Ritz Key Biscayne is exactly what you're searching for: It's beautiful, quiet, elegant and has a great resort pool adjacent to the calm beach. And, if you're seeking nightlife later on, you can always drive over to plastic and phony South Beach anytime you desire!

I agree with Don that South Beach is plastic and phoney and quite grotesque. I think that is the source of its popularity. Key Biscayne Ritz is lovely and relaxing. You don't go to South Beach to relax, you go to be amused.

Adam,

This is a no brainer as I totally agree with the last two posters. Key Biscayne is a little oasis in the shadow of Miami. A beautiful beach, and small town feel is what you get from K.B. South Beach is about 20 minutes, but you are also close to The Grove and Coral Gables. When you are on Key Biscayne you feel like you are in a Mediteranean village, with a couple of decent restaurants and a very youthful, active population. The Ritz is great. BTW, We are amid-30's couple and we have spent a week on K.B. for the past 10 years.
Enjoy!!

Has anyone been at the other hotels, or at least have thoughts on them - Shore Club, Tides, National, Loews?