Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne

The picturesque Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne hotel is an island oasis just 5 miles from Downtown Miami. The 13-story resort is situated on a 12-acre stretch of oceanfront property and bordered by a 306-metre-long beach of golden sand, which was named one of the top 10 in the United States. The beauty discovered by legendary explorer Ponce de Len during his search for the elusive Fountain of Youth has been preserved in the resort's natural surroundings and at the nearby Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park.

The hotel, a 450-room deluxe oceanfront resort set amidst 12 acres of tropical gardens, opened on July 1 2001, redefining the luxury hotel landscape of Miami. It is located in the exclusive Grand Bay community of Key Biscayne and was renovated in 2008. The air-conditioned resort features four stellar dining options and a bar, while its golden beach was ranked among America's Top Ten Beaches for 2008. Guests are welcomed in a lobby with a 24-hour check-out service. The hotel also provides a safe, currency exchange facilities, lift access, a hairdressing salon, a children's playground and a kids' club (fees apply to the latter). Business guests in particular will appreciate the hotel's conference facilities and WLAN Internet access (charges apply to the latter). Room and laundry services are on offer as well (charges apply to both), and guests will find a car park and a garage on site (parking fees apply).

The guest rooms have been newly renovated, and they feature private balconies with ocean, bay or garden views. Further amenities include wooden flooring in entryways, luxurious Frette linens, generously sized desk, in-room safe (capable of holding a laptop), plasma-screen TV with satellite/cable channels, desk data ports for laptops and mp3 players, fully stocked minibar and housekeeping twice a day with evening turn-down service. Each room comes with an en suite bathroom with shower, sumptuous marble bath, European toiletries, plush terry or light-weight bathrobes and hairdryer. A double or king-size bed, direct dial telephone, hi-fi system with radio, Internet access, ironing set, air conditioning and heating also feature as standard.

Sport and leisure facilities at the resort include a heated outdoor swimming pool and a children's pool, as well as a poolside snack bar and a sun terrace with loungers. Sun loungers may also be hired on the sandy beach. Guests can make use of the hotel's gym, hot tub and sauna. For additional fees, they may also enjoy aerobics, the steam room, massage and spa treatments, jet skiing, diving, surfing, windsurfing, motor boating, sailing, catamaran boating, canoeing, tennis, biking and entertainment programmes for adults and children. The Crandon Golf course is about a 5-minute drive away (greens fees apply).