Boasting the title of the first high-end hostel (no longer an oxymoron) in the USA, The Freehand isn’t so much raising the bar for hostels as it is taking that bar, training it to be an astronaut and firing it into space – lock, stock and bleedin’ barrel. Located inside the classic Art Deco India Creek hotel building and with interiors designed by Roman & Williams, this premium grade hostel hybrid has got all bases covered: handcrafted interiors, swimming pool, jungle courtyard, bocce courts, bike rental—the list is endless. They’ve even got themselves a perma-pop-up cocktail lounge, The Broken Shaker, which uses fresh ingredients from the on-site garden, and has rapidly earned a rep for being one of the best beverage-suppin’ spots in the city.

Before Miami Beach was gentrified, Coconut Grove was the place for luxury hospitality. The neighborhood still holds its charm, history and million dollar views, and the Grove Isle Hotel & Spa is an ideal way to explore this overlooked enclave and escape the bustle of Miami Beach.

Located on a 20-acre, private residential island and surrounded by an Old Florida marina and quiet neighborhood, the property has less than 50 rooms with British Colonial décor— think, four-poster beds with gauzy curtains. The hotel holds an old-school refinement—the glamor is understated and you’ll see more floral prints than bikini-clad babes. Highlights are the tropical gardens, romantic waterfront dining at Baleen and a walking path around the island’s perimeter.

Miami River Inn functions in its own universe. The overgrown grounds and warren of buildings from Florida’s pioneer days is like stepping onto a stage set that has nothing in common with its urban surroundings.

A fabulous perk for travelers who prefer the charm of bed and breakfasts—it’s Miami proper’s one and only—and something quiet and out of the ordinary. Extremely rare here, old-fashioned decor with antiques and hardwood floors stays true to the property’s early 1900’s origin. After a game of croquet, guests can relax on front porches, another local novelty, or poolside beneath the palms.