Fontainbleau Hilton Miami Beach
In brief: When the hotel opened in 1954, it was the last word in resort chic. Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley sang there. Jerry Lewis shot The Bellboy there. James Bond had a tetchy game of gin rummy with Goldfinger by the pool.
Designed by Morris Lapidus, 1,504 rooms. (The Times, 02 2009) Today completely refurbished, with some 1,500 rooms, it offers 11 restaurants, a 40,000 square ft spa and extensive conference facilities.