The Villa Casa Casuarina

Wrapped around the Mediterranean-Revival shell Gianni Versace once owned, Casa Casuarina keeps the original coral-stone facade and gold-mosaic pool intact on Ocean Drive, steps from South Beach's Art Deco strip. The four-star property suits design-minded travelers and couples seeking a landmark stay over a standard beachfront chain.

Rooms open onto wrought-iron balconies facing either Ocean Drive's traffic or the quieter courtyard pool, once tiled in 24-karat gold leaf. The ground-floor restaurant seats guests where the mansion's original dining room stood.

Lummus Park beach entrance sits directly across the street, a two-minute walk from checkout.