Far from stuffy, The Ritz-Carlton South Beach, a Morris Lapidus Art Deco landmark, moves away from gilded opulence in favor of the more soothing tones of ‘ocean blue,’ warm gold and rich coffee. Just before COVID hit, the hotel underwent a $90 million renovation after an extended period of being closed to business. In 2023, it was announced that star chef and humanitarian  José Andrés would be opening a new restaurant, Zaytinya, elevating the dining scene here, which previously paled in comparison to the drinking scene—the lobby bar, the Lapidus, is a great spot for eavesdropping and people watching. Despite the renos, however, some rooms are cramped and still seem a bit dated. The best rooms, by far, are the poolside and ocean view rooms, but they can get a bit noisy, both day and night. With its impeccable service; an elevated pool with unobstructed views of the Atlantic and a loungey, DiLido Beach Club; an impressive stretch of sand with a fabulous beach club; and a world-class 16,000-square-foot spa and wellness center, the Ritz-Carlton kicks sand in the faces of some smaller hotels that claim to be luxury. Parents love the Ritz Kids program for kids ages 5 through 12.