I just returned from a 7 night stay in Miami, although my trip was very budget oriented. I stayed near 21st street, and while I see that money isn't an issue, you may want to base where you stay on what you and your parents would like to do.

I agree with the recommendation of the Setai. Looks nice, line to get in to dine and club is always super long and everyone is very well dressed. Many of the expensive hotels (though $$$ doesn't necessarily equal nice and luxury) are located towards 18th-21st streets, which is a 10-15 minute walk or $10 cab ride to most of the shopping and dining. There are also very nice hotels on the south end of Miami Beach (south of Collins Ave and past Ocean Blvd), while equidistant from the main Lincoln Rd shopping, have more clubs and stuff down that way.

Beachfront is always nice, as the beaches are pretty. The beaches from 14th street and UP seem to be less crowded than the beaches down past 14th street based on what my colleagues who were staying down that way said in comparison to my experience.

I would *not* recommend the Raleigh hotel.. I stayed at South Beach Hotel and worked every day in the Raleigh. The lobby and outside facilities are beautiful, but the rooms leave much to be desired, at least from what I can tell of the standard room types. Maybe there are much nicer rooms on the top floors, but the $400-$500 a night rooms were not even close to impressive for the price.