Elegant, contemporary and utterly luxurious, this oceanfront resort is a stylish escape in busy Fort Lauderdale. Rooms, decorated in neutral tones with mahogany furniture, feature flatscreen TVs with DVD players, beds wrapped in Pratesi linens and balconies with views of the ocean. An 8,500-square-foot spa offers a full menu of treatments, while the sprawling fitness center has spinning classes and a Pilates studio. Cero, the onsite restaurant, serves fresh seafood in a sophisticated setting overlooking the water, and the wine room is a chic place to sample one of the many varietals and chat with the sommelier.

The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale Amenities:

• 187 rooms. Pool. Spa. Fitness center. Wireless Internet access. Restaurant, bar.