When not soaking up rays, guests can enjoy working out in the fitness room and swim in a heated outdoor pool overlooking the Miami River. For a more thorough workout, guests get discounted access to a fitness center across the street. Although the Clarion is near plenty of restaurants serving everything from steak to sushi, guests may want to check out the hotel's Mirado, which specializes in continental cuisine.

Golfers, pay attention: Numerous courses are within 30 minutes of the hotel, including the Crandon Park Golf Course six miles away, which features seven saltwater lakes, challenging sand traps, mangrove thickets and many holes overlooking Biscayne Bay. Since 1987, Crandon has hosted the Senior PGA Tour.

Meanwhile, back in the guestrooms festooned with cherry-toned wood, scalloped draperies and brightly patterned fabrics, patrons can enjoy river or city views out their windows, premium TV channels, pay movies, video-game consoles, complimentary weekday papers, coffeemakers and Internet access.

Guests at this Miami hotel are mostly business types and conventioneers taking advantage of the location close to the financial district and convention center. Since the hotel is convenient to the Port of Miami, many guests also are beginning or ending cruises.