This is one of the most stylish hotels in Miami, attracting the most stylish guests, hardly advertised, but always talked about. With its entrance secluded behind palm trees and hedges, The Raleigh hotel in Miami feels like the gentle giant of the strip: giant, because it boasts one of the largest, sexiest pools on South Beach as well as an enclosed beach area for full-moon parties. And gentle because, well, you just don’t feel like you are on show here and the hotel only has 104 rooms, ensuring that guests can relax in style rather than fighting for the sun beds, hammocks and love dens.

The rooms are spacious, boast terrazzo floors, cedar-wood furniture and king-size beds, are fully equipped with all the standard issue mod-cons and have walk-in showers big enough for a small cheerleading team. Here the aim is not to be pampered by hundreds of waiters, but to enjoy attentive service at a distance; likewise with the regular photo shoots and catwalks around the pool. The Sunday pool party is an all-day session that is legendary. 

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