5* EAST Miami

A few blocks south of the busiest part of Ocean Drive, Kimpton Angler's Hotel South Beach gives you easy access to the action without putting you right in the middle of it. Palace, Twist and the gay beach are all walkable north, while South of Fifth begins just to the south. Behind the Mediterranean Revival exterior you'll find airy modern rooms, leafy courtyards and a rooftop pool and sundeck. El Patio handles food and drinks downstairs, Bar Habana adds a little evening atmosphere, and Kimpton's complimentary evening social hour is still a nice touch. GayMapper tip: A particularly good compromise if you want South Beach nightlife within walking distance but would rather retreat somewhere calmer afterwards.

Just around the corner from the LGBTQ beach at 12th Street, The Marlin Hotel gives you one of South Beach's best combinations of location and small-hotel character. There are only 33 rooms and suites inside the restored Art Deco building, so it feels a world away from Miami's sprawling resorts. The Marlin also has some genuine history: the building once housed a recording studio used by major music artists. Today the rooms are contemporary and comfortable, with Ocean Drive, Twist and Palace all very close. What you don't get is a swimming pool, so this works best if you're happy for the Atlantic to do that job. GayMapper tip: A strong choice if you want gay-beach convenience without staying in a big resort — just remember there is no hotel pool.

Hotel Gaythering is the most unapologetically LGBTQ stay in Miami Beach: gay-owned and operated, adults-only, sociable and built around its own gay bar. Guests also get access to the men-only, clothing-optional wellness sauna with a Jacuzzi, cedar sauna and private relaxation spaces. The location at the western end of Lincoln Road puts restaurants and shops nearby, although it isn't directly on the beach. Complimentary bikes and beach gear make getting to the sand easier, and the main South Beach gay nightlife is reachable without having to base yourself amid the Ocean Drive crowds. Rooms range from spacious kings to cheaper men-only Crate rooms, and there are deliberately inexpensive rooms above the bar for anyone who doesn't mind some noise. GayMapper tip: If meeting other gay travellers matters more than having an ocean view, this is the obvious Miami choice. Light sleepers should avoid the rooms directly above the bar.

The Biltmore Hotel is the outlier on this list — and that's precisely why it can make sense for the right trip. Set in Coral Gables rather than Miami Beach, this grand historic resort feels more like a destination in its own right, with a huge swimming pool, 18-hole golf course, spa, tennis and extensive gardens. Its Spanish-style architecture and old-school resort atmosphere are a complete change from South Beach, with several restaurants and plenty to keep you occupied on site. What it absolutely isn't is convenient for Miami's gay beach or South Beach nightlife; you'll be relying on taxis or rideshares whenever you want to head over there. GayMapper tip: Choose the Biltmore for the resort, golf and Coral Gables experience — not if your Miami holiday is going to revolve around the LGBTQ scene on South Beach.

The Setai, Miami Beach does South Beach luxury in a noticeably calmer way. The Asian-influenced Art Deco design, serene courtyard and immaculate oceanfront setting make it feel more secluded than its Collins Avenue address suggests. Three beachfront infinity pools are kept at different temperatures, with full beach service beyond them, while the spa and high-end restaurants complete the resort experience. You're still in South Beach, but around 20th Street, so the LGBTQ beach and traditional gay nightlife sit several blocks to the south rather than outside the door. GayMapper tip: One for a serious luxury splurge — especially if peace, service and the beach matter more than having the gay scene around the corner.

Few Miami hotels put you closer to the places LGBTQ visitors are actually likely to use. Hotel Victor South Beach sits on Ocean Drive at 11th Street, with the gay beach around 12th Street, Twist on Washington Avenue and Palace just down Ocean Drive. The handsome Art Deco building has a pool overlooking the ocean, stylish rooms and a proper spa with a hammam, sauna and treatments. The former Versace Mansion next door adds a little only-in-South-Beach glamour, while restaurants and bars surround you in every direction. GayMapper tip: One of the strongest locations on the whole list if gay beach by day and gay nightlife by night are your priorities. Ocean Drive can be lively, so don't choose it expecting total tranquillity.