Loews Miami Beach Hotel, Florida

FTF's resort expert and her brood review the chic Loews Miami Beach Hotel, a teen favorite near South Beach, in southern Florida.

Sizzling South Beach with its chic outdoor cafés and restaurants is a Mecca for people-watching, and there's nothing teens like better than checking out the young, the glamorous, and the stylish who parade up and down the sidewalks at all hours. Loews Miami Beach Hotel is right at the north end of the SoBe action -- close enough to walk, yet far enough to create some distance when you want to spend family time on the beach.

The resort fronts 900 feet of white sand and warm, lifeguard-protected Atlantic waters. Like all of the shoreline in Miami Beach, the rental of beach chairs, most watersports activities, and equipment is controlled by concessions, not the hotels. When you stay at Loews, you'll pick up a towel by the pool before you head to the beach, then the staff will keep an eye out on the sand in case you need a cool drink or a bite to eat. Boat excursions, parasailing, and the rental of wave runners (very popular with the teen crowd), snorkel equipment and kayaks can be arranged at the beachfront concession.

This huge hotel consists of six stylish restaurants and bars tucked in and around the restored 1939 Deco-era St. Moritz, including a branch of New Orleans' famous Emeril's, a sushi bar and a large ice cream parlor. The Deco guest room tower has 100 rooms alongside a newer tower 18 stories tall, making a total of 790 super stylish guest rooms (including 52 suites). However, the rooms are somewhat small (connecting rooms available) and the attractive pool area can get crowded when the hotel is full. For 2010, it will have its own concierge station to guarantee you a chaise when requested.

There's a brand new SoBe Kids Camp program for 4 to 12-year-olds, and the complimentary Summerfest (June through mid-September) which features family activities such as "Dive In" movies by the pool, the popular Wacky Pool Games, and beach yoga classes. Like all the Loews properties, there are special perks for kids, teens and pets upon check-in. All Loews hotels welcome pets and even have a special room service menu for Rover and Kitty.

The hotel's popular Elemis Spa offers 24 different treatments in their 16 treatment rooms. Relax after your massage in the co-ed Calming Lounge or in one of the Jacuzzi tubs or steam rooms. Elemis Spa often coordinates with the hotel's recently enlarged Fitness Center for yoga classes. Other classes available at the Fitness Center include Pilates and spinning. Personal training is also available. Whether attending a class or exercising on your own, be sure to enjoy the ocean view.

After this resort's 2009 renovation, the polka dot lobby with its huge aquarium wall, and waterfall-lined public spaces, are even more striking... so watch out!