Gansevoort South

Class: Deluxe

Style: Modern design

Rooms: 334

The sequel to the original Gansevoort, in New York’s Meatpacking district, is understating its situation a bit — it’s not in Tribeca or the Financial District but in Miami Beach, over a thousand miles to the south. Ironically the Gansevoort South is at the north end of the Collins Avenue hotel row, which gives it plenty of space to spread its wings. With 334 guest rooms across 18 floors, it’s decidedly un-cramped, and the height is used to great advantage. Just as in the New York version, the Gansevoort South is centered around a rooftop pool lounge — in this case with views of the Atlantic and the Miami skyline. It’s not cheap, but what you get for your money is rather impressive: not just the boutique-issue iPod docking stations and 40-inch high-definition televisions (which are nice enough, don’t get us wrong) but also the gym and spa by David Barton and the multiple bars and restaurants, including an Asian restaurant by Philippe Chow and—any day now—the long-promised Miami version of STK, the New York steakhouse. Like the original, this Gansevoort goes out of its way to cultivate a members’-club atmosphere — selling condo units certainly doesn’t hurt. Prime oceanfront location, sparkling modern design, and a vibrant built-in nightlife; add it all up and it’s the very picture of the modern luxury boutique.