419 Best Hotels in Florida, USA

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We've compiled the best of the best in Florida - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.

Bayfront Marin House Historic Inn

$$ | 142 Ave. Menendez, St. Augustine, FL, 32084-5049, USA

This romantic waterfront inn has classic bay views and gorgeous antiques, as well as such contemporary conveniences as plush beds, double whirlpool tubs, and flat-screen TVs. Huge breakfasts, ordered the evening before, are usually served in the manicured courtyard, and guests gather at 5 for snacks, desserts, beer, wine, and homemade sangria. Owners and staff go to extraordinary lengths to accommodate guests' needs. Children, pets, and visitors with disabilities also find a warm welcome here.

Pros

  • Complimentary happy hour
  • Child- and pet-friendly
  • Riverfront location

Cons

  • Parking a block away
  • Dining area small if weather forces breakfast indoors
  • Some smallish rooms
142 Ave. Menendez, St. Augustine, FL, 32084-5049, USA
904-824–4301
Hotel Details
17 rooms
Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

  • $$

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Bayfront Westcott House

$$ | 146 Ave. Menendez, St. Augustine, FL, 32084, USA

A bit more elegant and formal than the average B&B, this inn wows guests with a combination of English and American antiques and a wealth of complimentary food, from extravagant breakfasts to wine and canapés in the early evening. Rooms charm those with romance in mind; many have luxurious bathrooms, and some have double whirlpool tubs. Innkeepers Joy and Andrew Warren are experts at fulfilling special requests from a sunset sail to gourmet picnics on the beach to private carriage rides.

Pros

  • Great views, most from private balconies
  • Romantic rooms
  • Free Wi-Fi

Cons

  • Parking a short distance away
  • Carriage house rooms not as elegant as main house
  • Bathrooms tight for taller guests
146 Ave. Menendez, St. Augustine, FL, 32084, USA
904-825–4602
Hotel Details
16 rooms
Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

  • $$

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Baymont by Wyndham Fort Myers Airport

$ | 9401 Marketplace Rd., Fort Myers, FL, 33912, USA

A top option for its value and facilities, this spot is close to the airport and interstate, with complete business services, a basic gym, and a warm, cozy lobby. Many restaurants are within walking distance. There is also great shopping nearby at the Gulf Coast Town Center and Miromar Outlets. In spring, rooms fill up with baseball fans, so make reservations in advance.

Pros

  • Free airport shuttle
  • Many dining options nearby
  • Near local college and attractions

Cons

  • No frills
  • High-traffic area
  • Busy for breakfast
9401 Marketplace Rd., Fort Myers, FL, 33912, USA
239-215-4869
Hotel Details
85 rooms
Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

  • $

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Recommended Fodor's Video

Bayside at Sandestin

$$ | 9300 Emerald Coast Pkwy., Sandestin, FL, USA

Of the properties in the Sandestin resort complex, this hotel offers the best value, with the lowest rates and plenty of amenities, including free bicycles, bodyboard and kayak rentals, fitness center access, and tennis court time.

Pros

  • Good value
  • Book through the resort and several amenities are included
  • Great views of the Choctawhatchee Bay

Cons

  • Beach access requires a tram ride
  • The inn has a chain hotel sensibility
  • Outside the action
9300 Emerald Coast Pkwy., Sandestin, FL, USA
800-622–1623-reservations
Hotel Details
130 rooms
No Meals

Quick Facts

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Bellasera Resort

$$$ | 221 9th St. S, Naples, FL, 34102, USA

This hotel is just far enough "off Fifth" to be away from the dining-and-shopping foot traffic but close enough for convenience, and it feels like a lovely Italian villa with its red-tile roofs and burnt-ocher stucco. The studios and suites, with earthy hues and marble flooring, huddle three stories high around a beautifully tiled pool, fountain, and courtyard. Cabanas line the pool on two sides, and The Claw Bar restaurant flows out onto a pretty trellis-covered patio on another. The studios have in-room whirlpool tubs with shutters opening onto the master bedroom, so you can watch TV from your bubble bath.

Pros

  • Spacious, full apartment units
  • Free bikes for guests
  • First-come-first-served private cabanas at pool

Cons

  • Must take shuttle to beach
  • On a busy highway (though surprisingly quiet)
  • Parking can be difficult
221 9th St. S, Naples, FL, 34102, USA
239-649–7333
Hotel Details
95 units
No Meals

Quick Facts

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Best Western Cocoa Beach Hotel & Suites

$ | 5600 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach, FL, 32931, USA

Families love this Best Western for its affordable suites, and everyone loves it for its oceanfront location (just a half block from the Cocoa Beach Pier), its great views of launches from Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral, and its proximity to Port Canaveral. The cruise pier is only five minutes away. The suites are modest but have two TVs, a separate living room, wet-bar area with sink, refrigerator, microwave, sofa bed, and a private balcony. In addition to the beach, outdoor spaces include fire pits and two pools.

Pros

  • Free hot breakfast
  • Good location
  • In-room microwaves and refrigerators

Cons

  • $8 parking fee
  • Small bathrooms
  • Noise from the pier
5600 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach, FL, 32931, USA
321-783–7621
Hotel Details
292 rooms
Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

  • $

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Best Western Gateway to the Keys

$ | 411 S. Krome Ave., Florida City, FL, 33034, USA

For easy access to Everglades and Biscayne National Parks, as well as the Keys, you'll be well situated at this relatively modern, two-story motel close to Florida's Turnpike. Standard rooms have flat-screen TVs and either a king- or two queen-size beds. Rooms around the lushly landscaped pool (where there's also a hot tub) command higher rates. Besides complimentary breakfast, there's free high-speed Internet access in rooms and Wi-Fi.

Pros

  • Conveniently located
  • Free Wi-Fi and breakfast
  • Attractive poolscape

Cons

  • Traffic noise
  • Books up fast in high season
  • No pets
411 S. Krome Ave., Florida City, FL, 33034, USA
305-246–5100
Hotel Details
114 rooms
Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

  • $

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Big Pine Key Resort

$ | 33000 Overseas Hwy., FL, 33043, USA

There's a congenial atmosphere at this lively, family-owned lodge-campground-marina—a happy mix of tent campers (who have the fabulous waterfront real estate), RVers (who look pretty permanent), and motel dwellers who like to mingle at the rooftop pool and play poker. Rooms have tile floors, wicker furniture, and doors that allow sea breezes to waft through. A skywalk joins the upper-story rooms with the pool and deck. Campsites range from rustic to full hookups. Everything is spotless—even the campground's bathhouse—and the service is good-natured and efficient. Satellite wireless means you can pick up a signal most places on the property, depending on the weather. The staff will book you a room, sell you bait, or hook you up with a fishing charter. There are plenty of family-oriented activities, so the youngsters will never complain about being bored. Discounts are available for week-long or longer stays.

Pros

  • Local fishing crowd
  • Nice pool
  • Great price

Cons

  • RV park is too close to motel
  • Deer will eat your food if you're camping
  • Some rooms could use updating
33000 Overseas Hwy., FL, 33043, USA
305-872–2351
Hotel Details
16 rooms
No Meals
To protect Key deer, no dogs allowed

Quick Facts

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The Biltmore

$$$$ | 1200 Anastasia Ave., FL, 33134, USA

Built in 1926, this landmark hotel has had several incarnations over the years—including a stint as a hospital during World War II—but through it all, this grande dame has remained an opulent reminder of yesteryear, with its palatial lobby and grounds, enormous pool (largest in the Lower 48), and distinctive 315-foot tower, which rises above the canopy of trees shading Coral Gables. The Biltmore has on-site golf and tennis, a spa and fitness center, and a host of excellent drinking and dining options. The magnificent pool is steeped in history—Tarzan's Johnny Weissmuller was a lifeguard here, and in the 1930s, grand aquatic galas featuring alligator wrestling, synchronized swimming, and bathing beauties drew thousands. To the west is the hotel's Biltmore Country Club, a richly ornamented Beaux Arts–style structure with a superb colonnade and courtyard. The Sunday champagne brunch is a local legend; try to get a table in the courtyard.

Pros

  • Breathtaking history-steeped lobby
  • Gorgeous pool
  • Great golf

Cons

  • In the suburbs
  • A car is necessary to get around
  • Daily $23 resort fee
1200 Anastasia Ave., FL, 33134, USA
855-311–6903
Hotel Details
312 rooms
No Meals

Quick Facts

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The Birchwood

$$$ | 340 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg, FL, 33701, USA

Few things are as emblematic of Beach Drive's renaissance as this boutique hotel, which, like many of Downtown's best attractions, seamlessly blends old and new. The former apartment building's 1924 facade was lovingly restored by developer Chuck Prather, who also dramatically renovated its interior with eclectic decor and furnishings—guest bathrooms, for instance, have both European claw-foot bathtubs and modern, glass-door rain-head showers. Most rooms also have stately canopy beds, and some rooms overlook Beach Drive and Downtown's banyan-dotted waterfront parks. Everyone can enjoy fantastic views from Canopy, the überhip nightspot, and the ground-floor Birch & Vine restaurant has had local foodies buzzing since it opened.

Pros

  • Coveted location
  • Exquisite decor
  • Close to Downtown attractions

Cons

  • Service can be lacking (staff is sometimes MIA)
  • Not the best choice for families with kids
  • 20 minutes from the beach
340 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg, FL, 33701, USA
727-896–1080
Hotel Details
18 rooms
No Meals

Quick Facts

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The Boat House Motel

$$ | 1180 Edington Pl., Marco Island, FL, 34145, USA

For a great location at a good price, check into this modest, but appealing, two-story motel at the north end of the island on the Marco River, close to the Gulf. Its white facade and turquoise trim set the tone for the clean units, most of which are decorated in their own individual style. King-size rooms have a balcony or walled-in terrace, and some have great water views. You can arrive by boat and dock at the hotel or, if coming by land, use the dock as a fishing pier.

Pros

  • Away from busy beach traffic
  • Affordable
  • Boating docks and access

Cons

  • No beach
  • Hard to find
  • Tight parking area
1180 Edington Pl., Marco Island, FL, 34145, USA
239-642–2400
Hotel Details
20 rooms
No Meals

Quick Facts

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Boca Grande Hotel

$$$ | 5800 Gasparilla Rd., Gasparilla Island, FL, 33921, USA

Once known as Uncle Henry's, this marina-lodging-shopping complex north of downtown Boca Grande has Tommy Bahama furnishings decorating its rooms and two-bedroom suites. A stylish waterside bistro, casual bar and grill, swimming pool, and shops make up for the resort's distance from town.

Pros

  • Intimate
  • Top-notch restaurants
  • Lots of character

Cons

  • Distance from downtown
  • Pricey
  • No beach
5800 Gasparilla Rd., Gasparilla Island, FL, 33921, USA
941-964–4443
Hotel Details
18 rooms
No Meals

Quick Facts

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BridgeWalk

$$ | 100 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach, FL, 34217, USA

This circa-1947, Caribbean colonial–style property—more of a condominium property than a hotel—is across from the beach and is a community within itself. Three buildings accommodate guests: The Royal Palm, the Sabal Palm Building, and the Queen Palm offer a range of options, from townhomes to studio suites and "apartos." Part of the charm of BridgeWalk is the brick walkway to the long, historic pier to various restaurants and quaint attractions.

Pros

  • Great location
  • Units are roomy
  • On-site spa and restaurant

Cons

  • Can be pricey
  • Minimum stays required Feb.–Apr.
  • Not all units have full kitchens
100 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach, FL, 34217, USA
941-779–2545
Hotel Details
28 units
No Meals

Quick Facts

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Cabbage Key Inn

$$ | Cabbage Key, FL, 33945, USA

Atop an ancient Calusa shell mound and accessible only by boat, the friendly, somewhat quirky inn built by novelist and playwright Mary Roberts Rinehart in 1938 welcomes guests seeking peace and isolation. It's surrounded by 100 acres of tropical vegetation, through which a natural trail runs. In addition to the inn rooms, there are cottages scattered throughout the property, some of which have kitchens and can accommodate up to eight guests. Rooms range from bare-bones to more modern and family-friendly. There's a full-service marina and a restaurant whose dining room is papered with thousands of dollar bills. One of the many perks of staying here is proximity to the remote and pristine beach of Cayo Costa, a short boat trip from Cabbage Key. Note, however, that 2022's Hurricane Ian made its initial landfall on Cayo Costa, which was heavily damaged; access to it was limited long after the storm.

Pros

  • Plenty of solitude
  • Old Florida character
  • Nature trail

Cons

  • Two-night minimum stay
  • Accessible only by boat or seaplane
  • Limited amenities, some rooms have no TV
Cabbage Key, FL, 33945, USA
239-283–2278
Hotel Details
14 units
No Meals

Quick Facts

  • $$

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The Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort

$$$$ | 4510 N. Fort Wilderness Trail, Walt Disney World, FL, 32830, USA

The cabins in this 750-acre resort campground just a boat ride away from the Magic Kingdom don't exactly constitute roughing it, as they are compact, air-conditioned log homes that accommodate four grown-ups and two youngsters.

Pros

  • Lots of traditional campground activities
  • You can save money by cooking, but you don't have to, as there is a three-meals-a-day restaurant
  • Nightly, family-oriented entertainment

Cons

  • Shuttle to parks is free but slow
  • Pricey for what is really just a mobile home encased in logs
  • It's a long hike to many entertainment and dining sites
4510 N. Fort Wilderness Trail, Walt Disney World, FL, 32830, USA
407-824–2900
Hotel Details
421 cabins
No Meals

Quick Facts

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Cabins at Grayton Beach State Park

$ | 357 Main Park Rd., Santa Rosa Beach, FL, 32459, USA

Back-to-nature enthusiasts love these two-bedroom, tin-roofed duplexes—each named after a different species of tree and each sleeping up to six—set among the state park's sand pines and scrub oaks, a five-minute walk from the beach via a private boardwalk. Although the cabins are basic, they do have central heat and air-conditioning and full-size kitchens. Gas fireplaces, barbecue grills, and screen porches are homey touches.

Pros

  • Rare and welcome preservation of Old Florida
  • Pure peace and quiet
  • Pristine Gulf beaches

Cons

  • Tends to book up almost a year ahead (call to check for cancellations, though)
  • No room TVs, phones, or daily maid service
  • Not right on the beach
357 Main Park Rd., Santa Rosa Beach, FL, 32459, USA
800-267–8300
Hotel Details
30 cabins
No Meals

Quick Facts

  • $

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Cadet Hotel

$ | 1701 James Ave., FL, 33139, USA

A former home to World War II officer cadets, this gem has been reimagined as an oasis in South Beach, offering the antithesis of the sometimes maddening jet-set scene, with 34 distinctive rooms exuding understated luxury. All rooms implement art deco style and feature beautiful antiques hand chosen by the hotel's proprietor. Vintage touches, like iron lighting fixtures and steamer trunks, add nice accent notes. If you're looking for loud music and wild times, go elsewhere. Cadet is more about enjoying a good read on the patio and discovering elusive serenity in the heart of South Beach. Little touches, like candles in the lobby, fresh flowers all around, high-thread-count sheets, and small pouches filled with fresh lavender or seashells, depending on the season, show care and sophistication. This intimate hideaway is one block away from Lincoln Road, two blocks from the beach, and two blocks from the New World Center. Clark Gable stayed in Room 224 during his time training with the Army Air Corps in the 1940s.

Pros

  • Excellent service
  • Lovely garden
  • Historical value

Cons

  • Tiny swimming pool
  • Limited appeal for the party crowd
  • Small bathrooms
1701 James Ave., FL, 33139, USA
305-672–6688
Hotel Details
34 rooms
No Meals

Quick Facts

  • $

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The Campsites at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort

$ | 4510 N. Fort Wilderness Trail, Walt Disney World, FL, 32830, USA

One of the cheapest ways to stay on WDW property is in your own tent or RV, which can be set up in one of four different areas, from bargain-priced tent sites with water and electricity to deluxe RV sites equipped with electric, cable TV, Internet access, water and sewage hookups, outdoor charcoal grills, and picnic tables.

Pros

  • Disney's most economical lodging
  • Pets allowed
  • Wide choice of recreation and entertainment options

Cons

  • Amount of walking to reach the store, restaurants, and so on, can be a bit much
  • Shuttle rides to Disney parks take a long time
  • The mosquitoes can be irritating
4510 N. Fort Wilderness Trail, Walt Disney World, FL, 32830, USA
407-824–2900
Hotel Details
799 campsites
No Meals

Quick Facts

  • $

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Carillon Beach Resort Inn

$$ | 114 Carillon Market St., Panama City Beach, FL, 32413, USA

Old-world charm and lovely architecture make perfect partners at this resort in a unique “planned village community” with lots of amenities, including four swimming pools, two hot tubs, two tennis courts, a playground, and a full-service spa and salon. Rosemary Beach is 2 miles away, and it's a 6-mile drive to Panama City Beach’s Pier Park.

Pros

  • Showcases local wildlife and beauty
  • All rooms have kitchenettes
  • Beach shuttle available

Cons

114 Carillon Market St., Panama City Beach, FL, 32413, USA
850-334–9100
Hotel Details
46 units
No Meals

Quick Facts

  • $$

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Carriage House Resort Motel

$ | 250 S.E. 20th Ave., Deerfield Beach, FL, 33441, USA

This tidy no-frills motel, accredited as an SSL (Superior Small Lodging), is less than a block from the ocean and comprises a two-story, colonial-style building with a second-story sundeck. Steady improvements have been made to the quiet facility, and kitchenettes are equipped with quality utensils. Rooms are cheerful and color-splashed.

Pros

  • Friendly staff
  • Bargain rates
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi

Cons

  • Nothing fancy
  • Dated decor
  • Road noise
250 S.E. 20th Ave., Deerfield Beach, FL, 33441, USA
954-427–7670
Hotel Details
30 rooms
No Meals

Quick Facts

  • $

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Carriage Way Bed and Breakfast

$$ | 70 Cuna St., St. Augustine, FL, 32084, USA

When it comes to location, this Victorian-era property is ideal—far enough from the Historic District to avoid noise, but close enough to have easy access to excellent restaurants (try the nearby Floridian) and shops. Even the waterfront is just four blocks away. The house, restored in 1984, is not as formal as some B&Bs. With verandas, porch swings, and quilts on every bed, it's cozy and quaint rather than elegant. It also has an outstanding breakfast menu; afternoon coffee and fresh-baked cookies; and an easily accessible fridge with free soft drinks, beer, and wine. The innkeepers provide reliable recommendations for local restaurants. A cottage up the block is perfect for families.

Pros

  • Great location
  • Personal attention
  • Excellent breakfasts

Cons

  • Some small rooms
  • Street can get busy with traffic
  • Limited time window for breakfast
70 Cuna St., St. Augustine, FL, 32084, USA
904-829–2467
Hotel Details
15 rooms
Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

  • $$

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Casa de Solana

$ | 21 Aviles St., St. Augustine, FL, 32084, USA

There's a reason you feel like you're stepping back in time when you enter this 1820s-era inn made of coquina and handmade bricks—it's on the oldest street in the oldest European-settled city in the country. Innkeepers Jeffrey Sonia and Luis Castro's warm hospitality and attention to detail hearken back to days of yore. In addition to a hearty breakfast, you can enjoy a social hour featuring wine and appetizers. Most rooms have a whirlpool tub, fireplace, and balcony and some have private entrances and their own ghost (the inn's been featured on several ghost-hunting TV shows). Add-on services like breakfast delivered to your door, picnic baskets, and floral arrangements make the inn especially popular with those en el amor.

Pros

  • Excellent service
  • Delicious breakfast
  • Convenient location

Cons

  • Some small rooms
  • Free parking is three blocks away
  • "forced" socialization
21 Aviles St., St. Augustine, FL, 32084, USA
904-824–3555
Hotel Details
10 rooms
Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

  • $

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Casa Grandview West Palm Beach

$$ | 1410 Georgia Ave., FL, 33401, USA

In West Palm's charming Grandview Heights historic district—and just minutes away from both downtown and the beach—this warm and personalized B&B offers a wonderful respite from South Florida's big-hotel norm. With 17 eclectic units spread over a city block, Casa Grandview's principal "inn," cottages, and suites exemplify Florida architecture through the decades circa 1919–49 but come equipped with plenty of modern-day amenities, too. Each unit or room has its own name, personality, furnishings, and history. Grantham's Library Suite, for example, is in the former kitchen of the 1925 Spanish Mediterranean home and adjacent to the extensive house library. With the likes of Florida Craftsman cottages, 1948 art deco cabana-bungalows, and the principal inn—a conjoined 1919 Spanish-mission home and 1925 Mediterranean-revival home refitted with modern amenities—Casa Grandview keeps Florida's fledgling history in style.

Pros

  • Daily dry-cleaning of all linens
  • Complimentary soft drinks, coffee, and snacks (and lots of them) in lobby
  • Simple keyless entry (number code lock system)

Cons

  • Cottages and suites have seven-day minimum
  • Free breakfast in B&B rooms only
  • Art deco suites don't have air-conditioning
1410 Georgia Ave., FL, 33401, USA
561-655–8932
Hotel Details
17 rooms
Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

  • $$

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Casa Marina Hotel & Restaurant

$ | 691 1st St. N, Jacksonville Beach, FL, 32250, USA

Compared with nearby oceanfront hotels, it's small, but Casa Marina's rich history—it opened in 1925 and hosted Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Al Capone in its early days—make it a hit with those looking for a characterful retreat. Rooms are spacious, and most have some view of the ocean. Unwind in the large courtyard behind the hotel with a drink from the bar, or take a stroll on the beach. The romance of the location and the building attracts weddings and events galore, so evenings can get noisy, particularly when the Penthouse Lounge is busy. An acclaimed Sunday brunch brings flocks of locals to the restaurant.

Pros

  • Oceanfront location
  • Comfortable beds
  • Quirky old hotel

Cons

  • No pool
  • Noise from lounge
  • Limited accessibility to upstairs bar
691 1st St. N, Jacksonville Beach, FL, 32250, USA
904-270–0025
Hotel Details
23 rooms
Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

  • $

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Casa Marina, Curio Collection by Hilton

$$$ | 1500 Reynolds St., FL, 33040, USA

This luxurious property is on the largest private beach in Key West, and it has the same richly appointed lobby with beamed ceilings, polished pine floor, and original art as it did when it opened in 1920 on New Year's Eve. Guest rooms are stylishly decorated in neutral colors that evoke a certain comfortable crispness. Fluffy bathrobes, Nespresso machines, and luxurious designer toiletries make it feel like a boutique hotel. Two-bedroom loft suites with balconies face the ocean. Many of the main building's rooms open onto large outdoor living rooms, and the two pools (one adult, one family) have a view of the Atlantic. For the utmost in pampering, pay a visit to Spa al Mare. You can even enjoy a treatment right on the resort's beach (the only resort in Key West to offer this indulgence). Guests also have privileges at its nearby sister property, The Reach.

Pros

  • Huge beach
  • On-site dining, bars, and water sports
  • Away from the crowds

Cons

  • Long walk to central Old Town
  • Expensive resort fee
  • Spa is across the street in a separate building
1500 Reynolds St., FL, 33040, USA
305-296–3535
Hotel Details
311 rooms
No Meals

Quick Facts

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Casa Morada

$$$ | 136 Madeira Rd., FL, 33036, USA

This relic from the 1950s has been restyled into a suave, design-forward, all-suites property with outdoor showers and whirlpool tubs in some of the suites. Each unit claims its own design personality, with custom furnishings. Lush landscaping, a pool surrounded by a sandy area on its own island accessible by a bridge, and lounge chairs at the water's edge lend a spa-like vibe; complimentary adult yoga classes, a Zen garden, and gardens designed by Raymond Jungles complete the scene. Cool tile-and-terrazzo floors invite you to kick off your shoes and step out onto your private patio overlooking the gardens and the bay. Breakfast is served on the waterside terrace.

Pros

  • Private island connected by footbridge
  • Adults only
  • Complimentary use of bikes, kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkel gear

Cons

  • Dinner off property
  • Beach is small and inconsequential
  • Minimum two-night stay on weekends
136 Madeira Rd., FL, 33036, USA
305-664–0044
Hotel Details
16 suites
Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

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Castle Hotel, Autograph Collection

$$ | 8602 Universal Blvd., Orlando, FL, 32819, USA

You can almost reach out and touch The Wheel at ICON Park from this hotel, which offers a slightly kitschy sophistication, combining Alpine castle with Mardi Gras glitz.

Pros

  • Easy walk to I-Drive eateries and attractions
  • Great views, sophisticated vibe
  • Close to Universal and SeaWorld

Cons

  • On a congested stretch of I-Drive
  • Not close to Disney parks
  • Self-parking fee $25
8602 Universal Blvd., Orlando, FL, 32819, USA
407-345–1511
Hotel Details
214 rooms
No Meals

Quick Facts

  • $$

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Catalina Hotel & Beach Club

$ | 1720–1756 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, FL, 33139, USA

The Catalina is a fun, budget party spot in the heart of South Beach, attracting plenty of early twentysomethings who value freebies like a nightly drink hour, airport shuttles, fitness classes, two fun pools, and beach chairs over posh digs. It's across the street from the beach, but nobody seems to mind the short walk. Each of the Catalina's three buildings has a distinct feel: the original Catalina (with the smallest, most inexpensive rooms) is an exercise in camp, with red-shag carpets, two-story glass windows, and monumental sheer drapes. The midrange rooms are in the old Maxine Hotel, decorated in rock baroque and featuring a karaoke machine in the lobby. Room 400 here is one of the beach's best values, with a private sundeck overlooking the strip. The most luxurious part of the Catalina is the Dorset Hotel, which now houses the hotel's biggest rooms. Its outdoor restaurant, Maxine's Bistro, overlooks the passersby on this very sexy strip of Collins Avenue, making the Catalina an entertainment complex in its own right.

Pros

  • Cool crowd
  • Free airport shuttle
  • Good people-watching

Cons

  • Service not a high priority
  • Late-night debauchery
  • Worn rooms
1720–1756 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, FL, 33139, USA
877-762–3477
Hotel Details
190 rooms
No Meals

Quick Facts

  • $

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Chesapeake Beach Resort

$$ | 83409 Overseas Hwy., FL, 33036, USA

Modern conveniences and a retro look are among the hallmarks of this boutique hotel on the beach. Rooms have a turquoise and sandstone color scheme and dark wood accents; each also has a porch or a balcony along with a mini-refrigerator and coffee maker. Most units are lined up along the long stretch of sand that all but encircles a lagoon; others overlook the tennis court. Thirteen oceanfront villas (including two stand-alones), a new tiki bar, and a boat ramp and dock round out the list of accommodations and amenities.

Pros

  • Oceanfront location
  • Reasonable prices
  • Private porches or balconies

Cons

  • No dining on site
  • $25 resort fee per night
  • No spa
83409 Overseas Hwy., FL, 33036, USA
305-664–4662
Hotel Details
52 rooms
No Meals

Quick Facts

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Circa 39

$$ | 3900 Collins Ave., FL, 33140, USA

Located in the heart of Mid-Beach, this stylish yet affordable boutique hotel has tropical-inspired rooms, as well as a pool and sun deck complete with cabanas and umbrella-shaded chaises that invite all-day lounging. Beyond the pool is a cute bar with board games and a daily happy hour. Rooms have wooden floors; white plantation shutters; teak and white furnishings; and pops of orange, green, and blue. Walk through the small, welcoming lobby filled with rattan furniture and stroll out to the WunderGarden, where you can relax in swing chairs among palm trees and orchids. Have a cocktail and refresh among the greenery or at in-house restaurant Jules Kitchen, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. The name Circa 39? It was built in 1939 and is on 39th Street.

Pros

  • Lounge areas in the WunderGarden
  • Beach chairs provided
  • Art deco fireplace

Cons

  • Not on the beach side of Collins Avenue
  • Bathrooms have showers only
  • No spa
3900 Collins Ave., FL, 33140, USA
305-538–4900
Hotel Details
97 rooms
No Meals

Quick Facts

  • $$

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