Mondrian South Beach

Set apart from the teeming ocean side of South Beach, the Mondrian holds a plum spot on the isle’s opposite shore along Biscayne Bay, with views of the glass towers of downtown. The 17-story, 356-room property (opened in December 2008) utilizes its quieter surroundings to create an exclusive, tucked-away vibe. Designer Marcel Wanders used Sleeping Beauty as his inspiration, but the playful lobby feels more like a James Bond set or the space station from 2001, with shiny white bubble chairs, Neoclassical pillars, and an ornate floating black staircase. The large rooms (the smallest are the garden-view studios, at 523 square feet) juxtapose retro ‘60s-style curved furniture alongside classically patterned wallpaper and rugs, with a wacky recurring motif of a girl’s face with oversize eyes. The pool area is a world unto itself, with private cabanas and towering curtains.