Deals in Miami

But let’s be realistic. When I’m traveling, I know how to make the dollar stretch – but that doesn’t mean I’m willing to give up 500-thread-count sheets and Bulgari toiletries. That’s why I love Miami, a city rife with indulgences. And in August, if you can stand the heat (literally), you can take advantage of some serious savings. Find substantially reduced rates on luxury hotel rooms (as much as 64% off the high-season rack rate), and the Miami Spice restaurants event, with prix fixe menus at restaurants where the tab can normally exceed $150 per person. Miami in August is the real deal.

Hotels

Best Value in Miami Beach: Townhouse Hotel
This 69-room boutique hotel might not have all the flash of other luxury properties in South Beach, but its Art Deco aesthetic is playful and stylish (all white, with bright accents throughout). Best of all, it’s only steps from the water. Insider tip: Book a room on a lower level; the vibrant rooftop lounge stays open late on Friday and Saturday. 150 20th Street, Miami Beach; http://www.townhousehotel.com/ or 305-534-3800.

Best Urban Escape: Mandarin Oriental, Miami
The luxury Asian hotel group is famous for its glamorous style and attention to detail, and this outpost doesn’t disappoint. Spacious guest rooms in muted colors rely on understated elegance to impress: clean lines, bamboo hardwood floors, Spanish marble baths. Make sure to stop by the newly opened Shanghai Tang boutique in the lobby. Insider tip: Though you’re in Miami, don’t expect a lapping surf. Instead, snag a cabana near the infinity-edge pool for killer downtown views.

Best resort getaway: The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne
This is where you go in Miami for a beach vacation without the scene. It's all about classic Ritz-Carlton service and West Indies Colonial style, surrounded by tropical gardens. Wrap yourself in Frette linens, draw a bubble bath in the deep soaking tubs, and let the beach concierge take care of you with Evian water mists and frozen fruit bites. Insider tip: You don't have to visit Little Havana for a taste of the Buena Vista Social Club. The four-piece, white-tuxedoed Grupo Nostalgia plays live in the lobby Thursday through Saturday nights.

Restaurants

Best Stop for Foodies: Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink
Chef/owner Michael Schwartz is a star of the city’s Design District. His bistro strips pretension from the menu, and the food – locally sourced – comes first. Try dishes that range from pork belly in a sweet-and-spicy broth, garnished with kimchi and crushed peanuts, to wood-fired pizzas topped with roasted tomatoes and aged Gruyère. Insider tip: No reservations? Offer to sit at the food bar overlooking the kitchen for the best view in the house.

Best Carnivorous Indulgence: Bourbon Steak, Miami
In a land known for its seafood, James Beard-recognized chef Michael Mina serves beef. The dramatic setting complements the ambitious menu of artisanal comfort food and (really big) steaks: from duck fat fries and truffled macaroni and cheese to melt-in-your-mouth Kobe beef tartare and dry-aged rib eyes. Insider tip: It’s named Bourbon for a reason. Brown water aficionados will find a great selection of hard-to-find single-barrel bourbons, such as the 23-year-old Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve. Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club, 19999 West Country Club Dr, Aventura; 786-279-6600.

Best hotel restaurant: Azul
If there was ever a time to take advantage of a fixed-price menu, this is it. This stunning space on the Miami bayfront is normally one of the priciest restaurants in town. Take this opportunity to see what all the fuss is about: grilled Colorado lamb loin rubbed with spicy Moroccan chili paste, and crispy oysters wrapped in a medley of carpaccios (beef, tuna, crab, salmon). Insider tip: Experiment with the wine list; it's one of the city's most extensive, with many interesting vintages available by the glass. Mandarin Oriental, Miami.