5* The Betsy South Beach

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.

If you want a proper beachfront resort without leaving central South Beach behind, Loews Miami Beach Hotel does that very well. It sits directly on the sand at 16th Street, with the LGBTQ beach around 12th Street an easy walk south and Lincoln Road nearby. This is a large hotel — nearly 800 rooms — so expect a very different feel from Miami's little Art Deco boutiques. In return you get a substantial pool deck, direct beach access, spa, fitness centre and several places to eat and drink. It's also noticeably family-friendly, which may be either a plus or a minus depending on the trip. GayMapper tip: Best for travellers who want full resort facilities and beach access while keeping the gay scene within walking distance; not the choice for an intimate boutique atmosphere.

South of Fifth gives you a calmer side of South Beach, and Blanc Kara suits travellers who like having a little more space and independence. This adults-only hotel is made up of generously sized studios rather than conventional hotel rooms, each with a proper kitchen, so it works particularly well for longer stays. The beach is just down the street, while Ocean Drive and the main South Beach action are easily walkable north. The LGBTQ beach around 12th Street and the gay nightlife are a little farther away than from the central Art Deco hotels, but still straightforward to reach on foot. There’s no resort-style pool or big social scene here — the appeal is space, quiet and location. GayMapper tip: A very good choice for couples or longer stays; less so if a pool and lively hotel atmosphere are essential.

At the quieter northern end of South Beach, 1 Hotel South Beach combines serious resort facilities with a much softer, nature-led design than the usual Miami glamour. There are four pools — including a 21+ rooftop pool with ocean views — plus direct access to a 600-foot stretch of beach. Wellness is a big part of the experience, with Bamford Wellness Spa and the substantial Anatomy fitness centre, while numerous restaurants and bars mean you could quite happily spend a day without leaving the hotel. Sustainability runs through the rooms too, from filtered water taps to reclaimed materials. The trade-off is location: the gay beach and traditional South Beach LGBTQ nightlife are farther south, so expect a longer walk or short rideshare. GayMapper tip: A great splurge if beachfront luxury, pools and wellness outrank being right beside the gay scene.

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.

At the quieter northern end of Ocean Drive, The Betsy South Beach manages to feel sophisticated without disconnecting you from everything that makes the neighbourhood fun. The LGBTQ beach at 12th Street is only a couple of blocks away, so you can be on the sand quickly without sleeping in the busiest part of Ocean Drive. There are two pools, including one on the rooftop, direct beach access and LT Steak & Seafood, but it's the cultural side that gives the hotel its personality. The Betsy has its own library, rotating art and literary programming and live jazz in the Piano Bar virtually every night. GayMapper tip: A particularly good choice for couples who want a polished, grown-up hotel close to the gay beach but don't want their entire stay to feel like a party.