Best BENCHMARK Hotels in Florida

Travelers speak highly of their time at the Villas of Grand Cypress Orlando. Previous guests, from families to couples to business travelers, describe the resort – which is tucked onto Orlando's North Jacaranda Street – as a gem. Rooms here feature spacious bathrooms with separate bathtubs and glass-enclosed showers, flat-screen TVs, Keurig coffee makers and high-speed internet access. What's more, the villas come with a pretty sweet view; private patios or decks face either the nearby waterways or the resort's fairways. Speaking of greens, the Villas of Grand Cypress boasts 45 holes designed by Jack Nicklaus to conquer. The resort also prides itself on being family-friendly. Outdoor activities found on-site include a pool and several biking trails. Tennis courts, a rock climbing wall, a miniature golf course, a pool with a waterslide and a game room can also be enjoyed at the resort's sister property, the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress. What's more, on-site The Clubhouse serves delectable cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. But there's a catch: A stay at the Villas of Grand Cypress doesn't come cheap.

Taking design inspiration from Miami, this Vero Beach outpost (owned by musician Gloria Estefan and her husband, Emilio) is a favorite for couples and families in need of a quick getaway. With art deco furnishings and portholes looking out over the white-sand shoreline, the Costa d'Este Beach Resort & Spa offers guests a more relaxed resort atmosphere than that found in crowded Miami Beach. Recent guests praise the spacious rooms, superior service and pet-friendly accommodations this resort offers. Rooms are contemporary in design and feature a balcony or patio. When you're not relaxing in your room, lounge by the outdoor infinity-edge pool, take a nighttime stroll along the beach or check out Ocean Drive's shops and restaurants. For an extra dose or relaxation, book a massage at the on-site spa.

Marenas Beach Resort is a modern beach resort sitting on another stretch of Collins Avenue in the northern Miami Beach suburb of Sunny Isles Beach. Rooms here are predominately suites with the exception of the classic guest rooms, which are a mere 200 square feet. But that doesn't mean amenities are few and far between. All rooms feature Gilchrist & Soames bath products, Keurig coffee makers, iHome radios and balconies with bay or ocean panoramas, while suites include kitchens and washers and dryers. The stretch of Miami Beach is also equally spectacular, and the resort will distribute towels and lounge chairs. For kids, the property boasts a game room and a pool. Meanwhile, Caracol Restaurant serves up fresh seafood with Mediterranean flavors, and the in-house spa offers a wide array of massages and skin treatments. Also note that from Marenas, you're about a 5-mile drive from the Bal Harbour Shops, making this a good home base for those looking to do some shopping.

This Sunshine State property is sandwiched between Fort Lauderdale and Miami Beach along the Intracoastal Waterway in Hallandale Beach, Florida. Though many guests are in agreement that improvement in service and facilities (especially the air conditioning) could go a long way at this BENCHMARK outpost, some recognize that this property's style and location give the resort significant potential to become a hospitality hot spot. Beachwalk Resort's guest rooms and suites are outfitted with terraces that overlook the area, ocean or Intracoastal Waterway, plus desks with ergonomic chairs, flat-screen Smart TVs and Wi-Fi access (which is covered by the daily resort fee). Suites also boast fully equipped kitchens. Guests strongly recommend securing accommodations as close to the top of the 33-story building as possible – the higher the room, the better the view. Those looking to catch some rays are a mere block walk from the beach, but the resort also offers a complimentary electric cart shuttle. And guests can lounge comfortably knowing that the resort's beachside eatery, Hyde Beach Kitchen + Cocktails, not only provides complimentary beach amenities, but also can deliver meals right to your umbrella. That doesn't mean the on-property perks should be overlooked, though. Guests can take advantage of the resort's infinity-edge pool, the 1,000-square-foot fitness center or Beachwalk Bistro, which features all-day dining.