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Inexpensive art deco hotels in Miami

Ian Schrager's Delano hotel spruced up Miami's Collins Avenue and officially relaunched the art deco district in

1995. At No. 1685, it is situated in a fiercely competitive high-end hotel zone that also boasts the Shore Club (another Schrager venture, with a Nobu restaurant and Miami's Skybar) at 1901, the Sagamore at 1671 and the new Ritz Carlton (actually at 1 Lincoln Road, where it meets Collins). All waver around the 300-room mark with prices

up to HK$4,000 a night, but smaller, more authentic and cheaper art deco establishments beckon at the beginning of Collins, closer to South Beach. All rooms, unless specified, start at about $800 during the low season (April to October).

The Hotel (pictured)

The work of fashion designer Todd Oldham (in the shell of the old Tiffany Hotel, which opened in 1939), this boutique spot has been faithfully restored but with a shiny twist: all its rooms gleam with lavish, brightly coloured tiling and mosaic details. Check out the rooftop poolside bar at cocktail hour, where le tout Miami sip their drinks containing electric 'lightcubes' (plastic ice cubes that light up when immersed). Rates are higher - $1,521 a night in low season and rising - but The Hotel specialises in giving good deals on its 52 rooms through its website. It's not on the beach but the pool makes up for this fact. The Hotel boasts a staff-to-guest ratio of 1:1 and its restaurant, Wish, is also a place to see and be seen (801 Collins Avenue, tel: 1 305 531 2222, www.thehotelofsouthbeach.com).

Lily Leon Hotel

This eye-catching hostelry, the facade of which is painted a startling blue and yellow, is the result of a merger between competing establishments: Lily Guesthouse, built in 1921, and the newer Leon Hotel next door. There isn't a pool, but there is a large sun terrace and a happening bar. The rooms are faithful to the deco creed, which can make them a tad dark, but the prices more than compensate. Suites starts at $975 a night and the most fabulous, No. 103, sleeps six. Service is attentive too (835 Collins Avenue, tel: 1 305 535 9900, www.lilyguesthouse.com).

The Whitelaw Hotel & Lounge

This groovy hotel has taken its name to the max and is decked out totally in white, complete with 60s-style shag carpeting. Complimentary cocktails are served to guests from 7pm to 8pm: in fact, the hotel's slogan is 'clean sheets, hot water, stiff drinks' (there's a Martini bar on site). Breakfast is on the house too. Its sister hotel, the Mercury, is also on Collins Avenue (No. 100), and although rates there are higher, amenities include a pool and a day spa. Both hotels specialise in getting guests entry into Miami's hot clubs (808 Collins Avenue, tel: 1 305 398 7000, whitelawhotel.com).

Nassau Suite Hotel

Built in 1936, the Nassau has been designated a National Historic Monument. Like its sister hotel, the Beachcomber, situated at 1340 Collins Drive, it had a chic and glamorous redesign recently and now exudes cool, with blue, lilac and cream decor in its expansive suites. There's no pool but the hotel provides free beach chairs for the Playa hotel a block away. Rates include breakfast (1414 Collins Avenue, tel: 1 305 532 0043, www.nassausuite.com).

Hotel Nash

The Nash has been refurbished but is a little less 'designer-ish' than the competition, the plus side being that its decor is more in keeping with its art deco roots. Although closer to Lincoln Road than the others, it is a block away from the beach. There are three spa pools and a terrace garden, and worth checking out is the Duplex Suite on two spacious floors with its own outdoor dining area (1120 Collins Avenue, tel: 1 305 674 7800, www.hotelnash.com).

The Carlton Hotel

Al Capone used to stay here, as did Frank Sinatra and Grace Kelly. The Carlton is still redolent of that era - a true art deco gem, built in 1939 and retaining its original grandeur with marbled lobbies and shiny wooden floors. Close to Lincoln Road's shopping area and a stone's throw from the beach, the hotel boasts a large pool, spacious rooms and fantastic rates, starting at $741 for a double in low season (1433 Collins Avenue, tel: 1 305 538 5741, carltonmiamibeach.com).

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