Sunrise to sunset in South Beach

With its mélange of sandy beaches, crashing ocean, Art Deco buildings and colourful residents, South Beach is a tiny strip of fun just across from mainland Miami. It’s the perfect holiday playground whether you’re looking to relax in the sun, go shopping, absorb some culture or spend a week clubbing.

See the sunrise: On the beach in front of the Gansevoort South. If you know what’s good for you you’ll have treated yourself to a night in this majestic new hotel, which comes complete with an enormous sun terrace; three pools; stylish, spacious bedrooms; and even sharks in the 15-metre fish tank in the lobby. You’ll have also partied until 3 a.m. at the palm-fringed rooftop pool bar, Plunge — go for a dip if you’re in fantastic shape or feeling brave; see www.gansevoorthotelgroup.com.

Have breakfast: Check out the parade of glamourous pensioners and wannabe gangstas as you tuck into strawberry and banana pancakes on the sunny terrace of The Pelican on Ocean Drive. The Pelican is the first hotel opened by the Italian fashion brand Diesel, www.pelicanhotel.com.   

Take a morning stroll: Walk down Ocean Drive and admire the scenery —the beautiful Art Deco hotels on one side, buff surfers and bikini babes on the beach on the other. If you want a serious guide to the colourful 1930s and 1920s buildings, join one of the daily tours that start at the Art Deco District Welcome Center, www.mdpl.org. Taking it easy? Play a game of netball on the sand.

Have lunch: Order a huge burger at the 11th St. Diner (Washington Avenue at 11th Street), a stainless-steel eatery dating from 1946 that serves classic diner fare including waffles and milkshakes.

Afternoon activities: Finish walking down Ocean Drive and have your photo taken on the steps of Casa Casuarina, the magnificent villa where fashion designer Gianni Versace was murdered. It’s now a posh members-only club and luxury boutique hotel.

Next, explore Washington Avenue, a parallel route that features Art Deco houses and some shops along the way. Stroll north to Lincoln Road Mall at 16th Street, where you can stock up on staples from major chain stores as well as vintage clothing at Fly boutique and quirky homeware at Jonathan Adler. Reward yourself afterwards with a cocktail at one of the many nearby pavement cafés.

Watch the sunset: The Mondrian, an ultra-chic new hotel conceived as a modern fairytale castle by Dutch design virtuoso Marcel Wanders, is on the right side of South Beach for watching the sun go down over the main city.

Order a cocktail and take your pick of the loungers and designer chairs on the ultra glamourous terrace. Forgotten your Rolls Royce or your Paul Smith toothbrush? Buy one at Semi-Automatic, the hotel’s unique, outsized vending machine in the lobby.

Dine: If you’re feeling flash, stay for dinner at the Mondrian’s Asian-Latin fusion restaurant Asia De Cuba, one of the hippest, dressiest joints in town; www.mondrian-miami.com.

Alternatively, head back to Ocean Drive and install yourself on the terrace of a restaurant like The News Cafe for some top people-watching, as Spring Breaker types in their finest seduction outfits and show-offs in their bouncing low-rider cars cruise past.

Good to know

How to get there: Miami International is a 20-minute drive from South Beach.

When to go: The weather is great all year round, although hurricane season is June to November. For a party buzz, visit during one of many festivals, join the hip art set at Art Basel Miami Beach in December, the world’s best DJs and music industry scenesters at the March Miami Winter Music Conference or catch the Latino vibe at the Carnival Miami in March.

Get around: Dollar-Thrifty car rental starts from $62.09 US at dollar.com.

More info: www.miamiandbeaches.com