Miami Beach hotels have earned an expensive, trendy reputation with accoutrements that most appeal to an equally trendy clientele. But that's only partly true. For one, there are a variety of more budget-minded properties north of South Beach or between 24th and 192nd streets. You can also bring your hotel bill down by traveling in the summer off-season and/or between Sunday and Thursday. For a family option, consider the Loews Miami Beach Hotel, located right on Collins Avenue.

If you do want to live it up in quintessential SoBe opulence, there's The Setai or the Gansevoort Miami Beach -- both on Collins, and both living up to the area's luxuriously hip repute. For quality customer service and a slightly farther-back address, consider The Angler's Boutique Resort on Washington Avenue.

• When the rates go down at even the most posh hotels, the summer season is a bargain. But prices include choking humidity and the occasional risk of a hurricane (especially high from June to November)." -- Concierge.com
• Smart vacationers can almost name their price if they're willing to live without a few luxuries, such as an oceanfront view." -- Frommer's
• Depending on the location and the time of year, a nice hotel room is going to cost you at least $120, with popular South Beach midrange haunts going for closer to $170 to $250. On the high end of the spectrum, expect to pay anywhere from $400 to $1000 a night. " -- Lonely Planet