Highlights: The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach

•The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach is a chic beachfront property located in the heart of Miami’s bustling South Beach

•Stylish and modern interpretations of luxury, with elegant Art Moderne/Art Miami interiors inspired by luxury liner staterooms

•Ritz Kids program for 5- to 12-year-olds schedules shell finding, sandcastle building, and other beach related activities

•Ritz Kids Whiz Kids program offers technology center for ’tweens and teens, or those too old to be served by the regular kids program

•Plenty of meeting space includes a 10,212-square-foot Grand Ballroom

•Modern mermaids and tanning butler appointed to put a modern twist on poolside and beachfront fun

•Mobil Four-Star-rated spa is a 16,000-square-foot temple of luxury devoted to soothing away your stresses

Amenities: The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach

• 375 rooms. Pets accepted, some restrictions; fee. Check-in 4 pm, check-out Noon. High-speed Internet access, wireless Internet access. 3 restaurants, 2 bars. Children's activity center. Fitness room, fitness classes available, spa. Beach. Outdoor pool, whirlpool. Airport transportation available. Business center. Credit cards accepted.

General Impressions: The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach

Ideally located in the heart of South Beach right on the Atlantic Ocean, The Ritz-Carlton South Beach Hotel is within walking distance of premium shopping, dining, nightlife activities, and the renowned historic Art Deco District. The resort hotel offers travelers a truly unique experience, where modern style and sophistication takes on a whole new meaning. The mystique and glamour of the 1950s era have been artfully addressed in the $200 million restoration of the Morris Lapidus-designed landmark hotel, which boasts a $10 million art collection of established and emerging Latin American and European artists.

This is definitely a place to “see and be seen.” The public spaces in the historic Art Deco hotel are beautifully appointed and very hip. It’s a great tourist destination for getaway travelers who want to see and do it all in a paradise setting.

Even family travelers will find numerous amenities geared to satisfy all members of the family. The hotel offers baby-sitting services, a children’s menu and organized kids’ program, taking full advantage of the adjacent beach by scheduling such activities as shell finding, sandcastle building, and beach relays.

The hotel’s newly introduced Ritz Kids Whiz Kids program for the ’tween group was developed to entertain kids ages 13 to 17, those too old for the traditional Ritz Kids program. A technology center features Apple iMac G5 computer systems with built-in iSight cameras, iTunes music, custom software, digital cameras, and photo printers to create lasting memories. To help keep kids entertained, iPod videos, iPod Nanos, and cellphones with built-in cameras are available for rent.

Romantic travelers can celebrate a milestone or some quiet time together in well appointed and beautiful rooms, a stylish restaurant, a wonderful spa, or even a private massage in their rooms upon request. Located on the beautiful Atlantic Ocean, couples can enjoy this world-renowned beach for basking in the sun or taking part in any number of water sports.

Most people hear the term “South Beach” and immediately think all play and no work, but business travelers can easily get some work done so they, too, can go out and play. A well-staffed business center with audiovisual support and 10,000-plus square feet of ballroom space, decorated with gold harlequin-patterned walls and stunning cobalt blue Venetian glass chandeliers, can accommodate any corporate conference or function. If you’re part of a smaller group, you can take advantage of 10 smaller meeting rooms or a 3,312-square-foot outdoor space. Some executives prefer to seal a deal or hold a conference the old-fashioned way: on the links. They can choose from four nearby 18-hole golf courses.

The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach offers a bit of 1950s-style glamour, with excellent service and some very unique amenities, including staff dressed as modern mermaids to perform a water ballet similar to those old Ester Williams films. Those who want to ease away stress can retreat to the Mobil Four-Star-rated Ritz-Carlton Spa, South Beach, which features 16,000 square feet of treatment rooms, showers with body sprays, relaxation lounges, and a full-service salon.

(+) Sophisticated, chic environment, with many unique amenities suitable for all types of travelers

Guest Services: The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach

The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach lives up to the Ritz-Carlton tradition of exceptional service. Whether you’re lying by the pool or at the adjacent beach, a tanning butler will cruise the area equipped with a holster of tanning products ready to prevent any sunburn crisis, or a rag to clean off your sweat-filled sunglasses. If you’re just too busy working on your tan and need something to wear for that evening, a personal shopper can be called on-site to tend to your shopping needs.

Sometimes, all you need is a little entertainment to help pass the time, and the hotel staff can oblige. Every day at 4 p.m., five modern mermaids will lead guests from the lobby to the outdoor pool deck to encourage them to watch their sunset water ballet routine.

During my visit, I wasn’t able to take full advantage of all the amenities, but a good vibe began when the reservation agent vividly described the hotel’s rooms, rates, and facilities. Unlike my previous visits, my arrival this time wasn’t anticipated by staff. The front desk clerk was at first busy with other guests, didn’t genuinely welcome me, and then read my pre-arrival message aloud in front of others instead of handling it discreetly. Despite this minor arrival hiccup, I found the staff to be very courteous and polite, and in most cases, they made a conscious effort to make guests feel welcome, albeit in a slightly informal manner.

The quality of laundry service was excellent, and the room was neatly organized at turndown, although I didn’t receive turndown service on my second night.

(+) Attentive, polite, yet slightly informal staff
(-) My arrival wasn’t as anticipated as I had expected

Guest Rooms: The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach

The 376-room Ritz-Carlton, South Beach has 54 poolside lanai rooms, 41 suites, 67 Ritz-Carlton Club Level suites, and the exclusive 2,800-square-foot Ritz-Carlton Suite. The standard guest rooms offer views of the Atlantic Ocean, poolside area, and South Beach. The décor features dark cherry furniture with a nautical color scheme of blue, spruce green, and burnished gold. Guests have a choice of one king or two double beds with goose down and non-allergenic foam pillows and 100 percent cotton linens. Sumptuous marble bathrooms are equipped with plush terry bathrobes, bath towels, and European toiletries. Larger 900-square-foot suites are also available, offering another half bath. All rooms come with a large desk, computer and fax hookups, and a laptop-compatible safe.

For guests who want a special touch of class, the exclusive Club Level offers VIP privileges and the ultimate in privacy. Located on the top three levels of the hotel, all 67 suites have access by a special key and provide guests with special services, including private check-in, lush lounge areas with ocean views, dedicated concierge service, and five daily food and beverage presentations. Here guests can enjoy exclusivity in spacious lounges while listening to live jazz ensembles.

The bed in my guest room was plush and inviting, and the furniture was comfortably arranged in my sleek Art Deco-styled room. Bath amenities placed in a thoughtful manner on my marble vanity also were a nice, personal touch.

(+) Well-placed furniture in a sleek Art Deco-styled room with panoramic ocean views

Facilities & Activities: The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach

Poolside at the Ritz-Carlton, South Beach is a great place to be pampered and enjoy the elegant yet hip South Beach atmosphere. Guests are supplied with scented Oshibori towels and ice-cold water sprays, culinary treats and fresh fruit smoothies. Plush king-size four-post cabanas with retractable drapes and Roman blinds offer a comfortable place for relaxing over intimate cocktails or to bask in the sun, all the while enjoying the stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and beaches.

The Mobil Four-Star-rated Ritz-Carlton Spa, South Beach is the place to go to ease away any stress or aching muscles before they dampen your vacation mood. A variety of treatments are offered in any of 14 treatment rooms. You can experience a Power Shower of 23 body sprays, lay back in the relaxation lounges, or have your nails manicured and a facial in the full-service salon. This 16,000-square-foot spa features the La Maison de Beaute Carita -- the only spa of its kind outside of Paris.

The spa includes a fitness center equipped with cardio and weight training machines, stationery bikes and an array of fitness classes. If you’d rather workout one on one, you can request a personal trainer to help you in the gym or on the beach.

Those who prefer to relax on the green can choose any one of four nearby 18-hole courses: Miami Beach Golf Club, The Biltmore Golf Club, Crandon Golf Course, and Doral Golf and Resort.

Cultural venues are just minutes away, including the Miami City Ballet, Art Deco District, Jackie Gleason Theater, Bass Museum, and New World Symphony. Just outside the hotel is Lincoln Road, a 12-block promenade featuring some of South Beach’s most charming shops, restaurants, boutiques, and cafes.

(+) Mobil Four-Star-rated spa, fully equipped fitness center, and beautiful pool and lounge areas; and located near numerous shopping, museums, and attractions

Dining & Lounge: The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach

Guests at the Ritz-Carlton, South Beach can enjoy American Nouveau cuisine for brunch, lunch, and dinner in its signature restaurant, Americana. The restaurant’s chic ambiance delivers excellent fare, has a resident disc jockey, and can be a great spot for people-watching. A very hip crowd seems to gather here for dinner and cocktails. Guests have a choice of dining indoors or al fresco, with both a pool and ocean view.

The hotel’s oceanfront dining room/lounge, DiLido Beach Club, serves what they call “sun cuisine from the Mediterranean” for lunch and dinner only. The Lapidus Lounge, located on the mezzanine’s Club Level, offers light fare and premium cocktails, including a $400 Star Martini, a house special made with Dom Perignon champagne that serves four to six people. The bar and lounge provides a very hip and stylish setting that all guests would enjoy relaxing at for a cocktail during their stay.

The hotel is introducing a new restaurant in the fall designed by world famous architect, Jacques Garcia. The new concept brings an inventive menu from Chef David Bouley (of Bouley restaurant in Tribeca, New York) and will feature a lounge, sushi bar, dining room, and two private rooms.

I dined at Americana for breakfast. The food was very good, with an exceptional variety of menu items, including options for calorie counters or nutritionally conscious diners. The dining room was very comfortable and the service efficient; however, considering there were only three tables being served, the food took rather long to be served.

During my stay, I also opted for in-room dining and was satisfied with the experience overall. The order taker was well versed about the diverse menu and answered my questions. The only hiccup occurred when the food was delivered later than expected, and the server placed my tray in front of the ottoman that I was to use as a chair. That made for a very uncomfortable table setup. To my delight, though, the food was well presented and delicious.

(+) Chic and hip environment with ocean views, dining, and people-watching venues
(-) Breakfast and lounge could kick up service a notch to truly offer an outstanding experience

Business Services: The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach

Business travelers staying at the Ritz-Carlton, South Beach can expect full Internet access in their guest rooms or suites, and wireless Internet capabilities throughout the hotel’s public spaces. The hotel’s business center is well staffed and ready to provide a wide range of services, including audiovisual support for small corporate gatherings, or for hundreds of people.

The hotel offers exceptional meeting and conference facilities, including the 10,212-square-foot Ritz-Carlton Ballroom, decorated with gold harlequin-patterned walls and stunning cobalt blue Venetian glass chandeliers. Ten other smaller meeting rooms are also available, and a 3,312-square-foot scenic outdoor area for social or business functions.

(+) Full business center, wireless Internet access, and sumptuous event and meeting spaces