59 Best Hotels in Miami and Miami Beach, Florida

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Room rates in Miami tend to swing wildly. In high season, which is January through May, expect to pay at least $250 per night, even at value-oriented hotels. In fact, it’s common nowadays for rates to begin around $500 at Miami’s top hotels. In summer, however, prices can be as much as 50% lower than the dizzying winter rates. You can also find great deals between Easter and Memorial Day, which is actually a delightful time in Miami. Business travelers tend to stay in downtown Miami, and most vacationers stay on Miami Beach, as close as possible to the water. South Beach is no longer the only "in" place to stay. Mid-Beach and Downtown have taken the hotel scene by storm in the past few years and become home to some of the region's most avant-garde and luxurious properties to date. If money is no object, stay in one of the glamorous hotels lining Collins Avenue between 15th and 23rd streets or between 29th and 44th streets . Otherwise, stay on the quiet beaches farther north, or in one of the small boutique hotels on Ocean Drive, Collins, or Washington avenues between 10th and 15th streets. Two important considerations that affect price are balcony and view. If you're willing to have a room without an ocean view, you can sometimes get a much lower price than the standard rate, even at an oceanfront hotel.

The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort

$$$$ | 9703 Collins Ave., FL, 33154, USA Fodor's Choice
St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, North Miami Beach
Courtesy of St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort

This posh resort (which cost over $1 billion to build) embodies the next level of ultraglamour and haute living along Miami's North Beach. In every facet of design and operation, the 27-story St. Regis is magnificent. An unassuming entrance gives way to a series of three-story, octagonal lobby partitions finished in rare West African movingui wood and exclusively quarried Chinese marble, illuminated by sparkling chandeliers hung from rosette ceilings, and decked in world-class European artwork. Rooms range from enormous (650 square feet) to gigantic (2,800 square feet), with oversize ocean-view balconies and surprisingly light, understated interiors; discreet butlers are on hand to manage your every need. The 14,000-square-foot spa offers every imaginable treatment, and multiple restaurants provide a nice range of smart culinary experiences. Choose between two infinity pools—each with different experiences. The adult's tranquillity pool is the place to catch up on your reading (or grab a catnap in the sun). The main ocean pool is a family-friendly area. Expect surprises and perks like smoothie tastings, sunscreen, and cold towels during your pool visit. The resort has a kids' day camp if you need some me time. Also set aside some time to shop at chic Bal Harbour Shops, across the street.

Pros

  • Beachfront setting
  • Sunday rosé brunch
  • Large apartment-size rooms

Cons

  • Limited lounge space around main pool
  • Little privacy on balconies
  • High price tag
9703 Collins Ave., FL, 33154, USA
305-993–3300
Hotel Details
216 rooms
No Meals

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1 Hotel South Beach

$$$$ | 2341 Collins Ave., FL, 33139, USA Fodor's Choice

This snazzy eco-minded hotel delivers a picturesque, nature-inspired aesthetic throughout the common spaces and room interiors (think heavy use of repurposed wood, living walls, preserved moss, and glassware from recycled wine bottles) and offers a choice of four swimming pools (including the best rooftop one in Florida), a luxurious beach club featuring Wave, a sea-to-table restaurant, and an excellent swath of beach. The 1’s famed 110-foot rooftop pool is laced with palm trees and loungers and remains adults-only day and night, when it transforms into one of the city’s coolest bars. The lobby, with its triple floor-to-ceiling moss art and driftwood lighting fixtures, is one of Miami’s most Instagrammed locales.

Pros

  • Even basic level rooms are great
  • Vibrant crowd
  • Sustainability mantra

Cons

  • Many rooms face street
  • Constantly busy
  • Balcony furniture a bit worn
2341 Collins Ave., FL, 33139, USA
305-604–1000
Hotel Details
426 rooms
No Meals

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Acqualina Resort & Spa on the Beach

$$$$ | 17875 Collins Ave., Sunny Isles Beach, FL, 33160, USA Fodor's Choice

The grand dame of Sunny Isles Beach continues to raise the bar for Miami beachfront luxury, delivering a fantasy of modern Mediterranean opulence, with sumptuously appointed, striking gray- and silver-accented interiors and expansive facilities. Oceanfront lawns recall Miami's famed Vizcaya gardens; three stylish swimming pools (one adults-only) and a colossal 20,000-square-foot ESPA spa offer opportunities for relaxation; and the famed Il Mulino New York restaurant is there for excellent dining. Upon arrival, you'll quickly notice the Ferraris and Lamborghinis lining the driveway. With this prelude it's only natural that accommodations are sinfully comfortable and undeniably lavish, with every conceivable frill. Even standard rooms facing away from the ocean seem grand; they have huge flat-screens that rise out of the foot of the bed, making recumbent TV-watching into a theater experience. The property is exceptionally children-friendly, with a fabulous kids' program and tons of activities on-site.

Pros

  • Excellent beach
  • In-room check-in
  • Huge spa

Cons

  • No nightlife near hotel
  • Hotel's towering height shades the beach by early afternoon
  • Hefty fee for pets
17875 Collins Ave., Sunny Isles Beach, FL, 33160, USA
305-918–8000
Hotel Details
98 rooms
No Meals

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The Betsy

$$$ | 1440 Ocean Dr., FL, 33139, USA Fodor's Choice

After a massive expansion, the original Betsy Ross Hotel (christened the "Colonial" wing) has been joined with what was the neighboring, historic Carlton Hotel to create a retro-chic, art deco treasure that delivers the full-throttle South Beach experience with style, pizzazz, and a big-time cultural bonus: year-round programs include poetry readings, live jazz, and art shows. The front porch and outdoor eating space along Ocean Drive are perfect for quintessential SoBe people-watching. The lobby, which remains in the original Colonial wing, is busy, but not insanely so, and cultivates a social, trendy scene, especially in the evenings. The guest rooms of The Betsy 2.0 embody a color palette of white and ocean-blue tones with pops of green. Enjoy time at the rooftop pool deck, and consider dining at the hotel's excellent surf-and-turf restaurant by chef Laurent Tourondel, LT Steak & Seafood.

Pros

  • Unbeatable location
  • Super-fashionable
  • Great beach club

Cons

  • Confusing hotel layout
  • Great pet-friendly program but fee attached
  • Pool sometimes crowded
1440 Ocean Dr., FL, 33139, USA
844-539–2840
Hotel Details
130 rooms
No Meals

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Carillon Miami Wellness Resort

$$$$ | 6801 Collins Ave., FL, 33139, USA Fodor's Choice

This 150-all-suites beachfront hotel is defined by a 70,000-square-foot wellness spa, including a rock-climbing wall, 54 treatment rooms, and 30 exercise classes daily. The lobby is one of the most tranquil in Miami, filled with greenery and soothing colors. A driftwood hanging sculpture is a focal point, and several different lounge areas provide places to read and relax. If you grow tired of swimming in the hotel's four pools, you'll find 750 linear feet of oceanfront out back. In between exercise and yoga sessions, lounge around your well-appointed suite, with its 400-thread-count linens and spa-like bathroom, or delight in a healthy cuisine. The Strand offers seafood-centric dishes by executive chef Rosario Corrao in consultation with an in-house nutritionist. What's more? Dogs of up to 35 pounds are welcome with 48-hour advance notice in one of the resort's many pet-friendly suites. Your pooch will be pampered by his own concierge service that can help provide vet services, dog sitters, treats, and more.

Pros

  • Directly on the beach
  • Spacious suites (minimum 720 square feet)
  • Incredible spa treatments

Cons

  • Far from nightlife
  • Rooms could be a bit more stylish
  • Day visitors at spa and gym
6801 Collins Ave., FL, 33139, USA
866-800–3858
Hotel Details
150 suites
No Meals

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The Confidante

$$$ | 4041 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, FL, 33140, USA Fodor's Choice

Part of Hyatt's Unbound Collection, this hotel in Miami's burgeoning Mid-Beach district is a beachfront classic art deco building reinvented by Martin Brudnizki to channel a colorful, modern incarnation of 1950s Florida glamour, packed with all the trappings one would covet in a Miami beachfront experience. Look forward to two heated swimming pools (one of which is adults-only), cabanas, a full-service beach club, and MiMo chic guest rooms. Throughout the intimate lobby space, the outdoor areas, and the rooms themselves, bold pastels, thick stripes, and funky prints revive a color palate and timeless style of yesteryear. The alfresco spa is located rooftop, accompanied by a spa deck, where complimentary fitness classes are held daily (including kickboxing on weekends).

Pros

  • Highly photogenic pool area
  • Alfresco spa and complimentary fitness classes
  • Hyatt points accepted for stays

Cons

  • Day passes sometimes sold to nonguests
  • Entry-level rooms are on the small side
  • Dark hallways
4041 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, FL, 33140, USA
304-424–1234
Hotel Details
363 rooms
No Meals

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EAST Miami

$$$$ | 788 Brickell Plaza, FL, 33131, USA Fodor's Choice

A lush paradise in the heart of Brickell's city center, this tropical, trendy hotel has impeccable art and design elements plus rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows and views of the twinkling city—even from the bathtubs. The sustainable design of the hotel is LEED certified, making it one of the greenest properties in the area. Dining options include fifth-floor Quinto La Huella, a meat-centric Uruguayan concept, and Sugar, a rooftop bar with some of the city's best sunset views.

Pros

  • Large suites available for long stays
  • Attached to Brickell City Centre shopping
  • Rooftop bar, Sugar, has great sunset views

Cons

  • Limited privacy on balconies
  • Expensive valet
  • Pool lacks sunlight by mid-afternoon
788 Brickell Plaza, FL, 33131, USA
305-712--7000
Hotel Details
352 rooms
No Meals

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Faena Hotel Miami Beach

$$$$ | 3201 Collins Ave., FL, 33140, USA Fodor's Choice

The gem of hotelier Alan Faena's Faena Arts District, this jaw-dropping beachfront hotel is as luxurious as it gets, with top-notch dining, a pampering spa, and art that includes larger-than-life murals and a gilded mammoth by Damien Hirst. The towering property is a stunning reinvention of the art deco 1948 Saxony Hotel with dramatic common areas and prolific art installations. Gawk at the details throughout the cathedral lobby, which glitters with gold-leafed columns, or scope out nirvana at the 22,000-square-foot, high-design Tierra Santa Healing House spa, which is rooted in South America’s rich indigenous culture. Enjoy some top-notch dining and burlesque in the 220-seat dinner theater and later retreat to your glamorous room, decked out in art deco–style interiors.

Pros

  • Glamorous design
  • Excellent service
  • Spectacular beach club

Cons

  • Pricey
  • Construction in neighborhood
  • Dark hallways
3201 Collins Ave., FL, 33140, USA
305-535--4697
Hotel Details
169 rooms
No Meals

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Fontainebleau Miami Beach

$$$$ | 4441 Collins Ave., Miami, FL, 33140, USA Fodor's Choice

Vegas meets art deco at Miami's largest hotel, which has more than 1,500 rooms (in four separate towers, almost half of which are suites), 12 renowned restaurants and lounges, LIV nightclub, several pools with cabana islands, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and a 40,000-square-foot spa. Fontainebleau's main pool is nearly as big as a small lake—complete with islands with private cabanas. DJs play sets around the pools, and on weekends it can be a mix of kids, bachelorette parties, and honeymooners. Truth be told, there's so much going on in and around the hotel that you can easily forget about the downy sands directly behind the property—it almost feels like being on a cruise ship. And in this vein, there's plenty to do for party-ready adults and restless kids and teens alike.

Pros

  • Expansive pool and beach areas
  • Historic allure
  • Great nightlife

Cons

  • Lots of nonguests visiting grounds
  • Massive size
  • Loud, weekend parties outside
4441 Collins Ave., Miami, FL, 33140, USA
305-535–3283
Hotel Details
1504 rooms
No Meals

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Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club

$$$$ | 9011 Collins Ave., FL, 33154, USA Fodor's Choice

Built in the 1930s as a members-only club called The Surf Club, this sophisticated 9-acre oceanfront property has always been a spot for people with good taste to have good times. The beautiful open spaces throughout its three buildings make visitors feel like they're on a posh Italian escape, and the slick white rooms with modern fixtures create instant relaxation upon arrival. There's a state-of-the-art spa and two gorgeous beachside pools with 40 cabanas offering absolute privacy. Its well-known gem The Champagne Bar features Miami's largest champagne selection (and a delicious menu of Italian selections), with bartenders in crisp white jackets ready to attend to your every whim. It's also home to Thomas Keller's only restaurant in the south, The Surf Club, serving only the highest caliber of dishes.

Pros

  • Unparalleled service
  • World-class spa
  • Five-star dining

Cons

  • Lots of local visitors at the bar
  • Far from nightlife
  • Not much in walking distance
9011 Collins Ave., FL, 33154, USA
305-381--3333
Hotel Details
77 rooms
No Meals

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Kimpton Angler's Hotel

$$$$ | 660 Washington Ave., FL, 33139, USA Fodor's Choice

At this enclave of old and new South Beach, a contemporary, 85-room tower with a rooftop pool neighbors several 1930s-era villas and modern low-rise units, together capturing the feel of a sophisticated private villa community. The secluded, landscaped setting makes it easy to forget that the hotel is on busy Washington Avenue, two blocks from the beach. New tower rooms are done in neutral tones with accents in shades of blue. Each has its own balcony. The resort fee here includes towels and foldable umbrellas to take to the beach, but the sixth-floor sun deck and rooftop pool beckon if you don't feel like walking five minutes to the beach. Consider kicking off your evenings downstairs at the stylish Minnow Bar, where clear spirits are blank canvases for cocktail creativity.

Pros

  • Gardened private retreat
  • Pet-friendly (no fee)
  • Daily complimentary wine hour

Cons

  • No gym
  • Not directly on beach
  • Most units have only showers
660 Washington Ave., FL, 33139, USA
305-534–9600
Hotel Details
132 rooms
No Meals

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Kimpton EPIC Miami

$$$ | 270 Biscayne Blvd. Way, FL, 33131, USA Fodor's Choice

In the heart of Downtown, Kimpton's pet-friendly, artful EPIC Hotel has 411 guest rooms with spacious balconies (many of them overlook Biscayne Bay) and fabulous modern amenities to match the sophistication of the common areas, which include a supersexy rooftop pool. The lobby is decorated in earth tones—the better to showcase the rotating modern art collection. Seating areas look onto Biscayne and the hotel's marina on the Miami River. Rooms start at the 18th floor of the hotel, so you'll have a sweeping view of the Miami skyline. In general, the hotel caters to business travelers and groups, but its association with the Kimpton brand ensures a steady intake of pleasure-seekers.

The 16th-floor pool area comes to life seven days a week, especially during the complimentary wine hour at 5 pm. Area 31 is an elegant, delicious seafood restaurant also on the 16th floor, flying high with an advanced concept of sustainable cuisine. A second restaurant, Zuma, is Miami's hottest London invasion—just brace yourself for a long wait. The hotel also has a full-service marina and the fabulous Exhale spa.

Pros

  • Sprawling rooftop pool deck
  • Balcony in every room
  • Complimentary wine hour, coffee, and Wi-Fi

Cons

  • Some rooms have inferior views
  • Congested valet area
  • Sometimes windy around pool area
270 Biscayne Blvd. Way, FL, 33131, USA
305-424–5226
Hotel Details
411 rooms
No Meals

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Mandarin Oriental, Miami

$$$$ | 500 Brickell Key Dr., FL, 33131, USA Fodor's Choice

At the tip of prestigious Brickell Key in Biscayne Bay, the Mandarin Oriental feels as exclusive as it does glamorous, with luxurious rooms, exalted restaurants, and the city's top spa, all of which marry the brand's signature Asian style with Miami's bold tropical elegance. A luxe lobby features two-story-high windows with sweeping views of Miami. The sumptuous, colorful rooms face either west toward the Downtown skyline or east over Miami Beach and the blue Atlantic. There's also beauty in the details: sliding screens that close off the baths, dark wood, crisp linens, and room numbers hand-painted on rice paper at check-in. Sun worshippers adore the 20,000-square-foot private, bay-front "beach." The property manages to be sophisticated enough for business executives, yet warm and inviting for vacationers.

Pros

  • Impressive lobby
  • Intimate vibe
  • Top-notch spa

Cons

  • Man-made beach
  • Small infinity pool
  • Traffic getting on/off Brickell Key
500 Brickell Key Dr., FL, 33131, USA
305-913–8288
Hotel Details
357 rooms
No Meals

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The Miami Beach EDITION

$$$$ | 2901 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, FL, 33140, USA Fodor's Choice

At this reinvention of the 1955 landmark Seville Hotel by hospitality duo Ian Schrager and Marriott, historic glamour parallels modern relaxation from the palm-fringed marble lobby to the beachy guest rooms. Technology fuses with style, convenience is matched with service, and amenities scale the luxurious down to the details that matter, ideal for the guest who seeks multifaceted accommodations for work, play, and relaxation. An array of recreation and escapades include a rockin' pool scene, an Instagram-perfect lobby frequented by Miami's A-list, three memorable restaurants (Matador Room, Tropicale, and Market), and an underground bar complete with a luminescent bowling alley and ice rink (which entertain from morning until the wee hours of the next).

Pros

  • Excellent spa
  • Hanging gardens in the alfresco area
  • Great beachfront service

Cons

  • A bit pretentious
  • Open bathroom setup in select rooms offers little privacy
  • Near a particularly rocky part of Miami Beach
2901 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, FL, 33140, USA
786-257–4500
Hotel Details
294 rooms
No Meals

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Mr. C Miami Coconut Grove

$$$ | 2988 McFarlane Rd., FL, 33133, USA Fodor's Choice

An oasis in the middle of Coconut Grove, this hotel operated by the Cipriani family delivers stunning views of Biscayne Bay and the nearby skyline. All 98 guestrooms and suites are decorated in a calming blue palette and have oversize bathrooms with high-gloss paneling and leathers meant to imitate a fancy yacht. Bellini, the on-site restaurant, offers both indoor and outdoor dining with a coastal Italian feel and white tablecloth service.

Pros

  • Rooftop pool
  • Private spa suites
  • Stellar service

Cons

  • Car needed for beach visits
  • Located at busy intersection
  • Sometimes windy pool area
2988 McFarlane Rd., FL, 33133, USA
305-800--6672
Hotel Details
98 rooms
No Meals

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The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, Miami

$$$$ | 3300 S.W. 27th Ave., FL, 33133, USA Fodor's Choice

In the heart of Coconut Grove, this business-oriented hotel is an elegant and modern design masterpiece that rivals top leisure properties in Miami Beach and Downtown. Arrive into a grand lobby with towering arched ceilings and bejeweled with whimsical purple furnishings like oversized, tufted ottomans and regal balloon chairs. The sophisticated guest rooms—all with marble baths and private balconies—flaunt a fresh take on marine-inspired decor, paying homage to this Ritz's location near the bay. A 6,000-square-foot spa is on hand to soothe away stress, and The Commodore is among Coconut Grove's loveliest dining spots (with amazing cocktails and live music to boot!). Service here is second to none, making it the sole VIP-style enclave in this artsy waterfront neighborhood.

Pros

  • Elevated pool deck
  • Fresh from renovation
  • In an easily walkable area

Cons

  • Near residential area
  • Not on beach
  • Lots of conventioneers
3300 S.W. 27th Ave., FL, 33133, USA
305-644–4680
Hotel Details
115 rooms
No Meals

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The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami

$$$$ | 455 Grand Bay Dr., Miami, FL, 33149, USA Fodor's Choice

In an ultra-laid-back setting on serene Key Biscayne, it's only natural to appreciate the Ritz hallmarks of pampering with luxurious rooms, attentive service, five on-property dining options, and ample recreational activities for the whole family. An expansive, grand lobby feels like an old-world European villa. Beyond the doors lies a large garden area that leads to the pools and beach beyond. Rooms, bathed in ocean blues and earth tones, feature either a resort or water view with floor-to-ceiling windows, balcony, and workspace. A 25,000-square-foot spa offers unique services based on Florida's rich Caribbean and Tequesta roots. The property's five eateries take you through the gastronomy and beverages of Cuba (RUMBAR), Mexico (Cantina Beach), New York (Key Pantry, offering a Dean & Deluca–style market), and back to Miami (Dune, Burgers on the Beach, and Lightkeepers, the hotel's flagship, coastal-cuisine restaurant). An 11-court tennis "garden" with daily clinics, a private beach, and beachside water sports are other options. The Club Level offers food and beverage presentations throughout the day, and the Ritz Kids club has expanded its full-, half-day, and Saturday-night programs to include island history, fishing, and beach treasure hunts. Borrow bikes here to explore Bill Baggs Park and its lighthouse.

Pros

  • A world away from city life
  • Feet-in-the-sand restaurants
  • An adults-only pool

Cons

  • Outside noise may permeate thin, sliding glass doors
  • Beach sometimes seaweed-strewn
  • Limited nearby dining options off-property
455 Grand Bay Dr., Miami, FL, 33149, USA
305-365–4500
Hotel Details
402 rooms
No Meals

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The Setai Miami Beach

$$$$ | 2001 Collins Ave., FL, 33139, USA Fodor's Choice

This opulent, all-suites hotel feels like an Asian museum: serene and beautiful, with heavy granite furniture lifted by orange accents, warm candlelight, and the soft bubble of seemingly endless ponds complemented by three oceanfront infinity pools (heated to different temperatures) that further spill onto the beach's velvety sands. Suites are a minimum of 550 square feet and are divided between the hotel's art deco building and its residential tower. The colossal Ocean Suites range from one-bedroom to a 10,000-square-foot, four-bedroom suite, all with special amenities like a private VIP entrance, a dedicated concierge, round-trip private airport transfers, complimentary spa treatment, and access to the house cars. Even if you can't afford a stay at one of Miami's priciest hotels, take time to visit this most beautifully designed space. Its restaurants and bar— Jaya, Ocean Grill, Japón, and The Bar & Courtyard—are open to nonguests, as is the fabulous Valmont for The Spa at The Setai. The oceanfront gardens are lush and painstakingly manicured, and rooms are as expansive as the premises and furnished in an Asian style that is at once minimalist and cozy. The beach lounges and beachside service are pure bliss.

Pros

  • Quiet and classy
  • Beautiful grounds
  • Excellent dining and spa

Cons

  • TVs are far from the beds
  • Busy pool area
  • Many rooms lack ocean views
2001 Collins Ave., FL, 33139, USA
305-520–6111
Hotel Details
130 suites
No Meals

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W South Beach

$$$$ | 2201 Collins Ave., FL, 33319, USA Fodor's Choice

Fun, fresh, and funky, the W South Beach flaunts some of the nicest rooms in South Beach—even the entry category evokes a wow factor—each with its own kitchen and balcony with ocean views. The textured walls, whimsical accessories, and clean symmetries play out like a spread from Architectural Digest. Overall, the property represents the brand's evolution toward young sophistication, which means less club music in the lobby, more lighting, and more attention to the multimillion-dollar art collection lining the lobby's expansive walls (look for high-end contemporary art from famous names like Andy Warhol, Julian Schnabel, and Kenny Scharf). That said, the pool scene is everything and anything one could want from South Beach and the W brand—tight bodies, cabanas, and a gorgeous crowd sipping mojitos. The beach is just steps behind with a private area for W South Beach guests. Although the hotel does not boast an art deco facade, its interiors are far more eclectic and superior to neighboring hotels.

Pros

  • Pool scene
  • Giant Hello Kitty fountain
  • Three in-house restaurants and bars

Cons

  • Not a classic art deco building
  • Crowded pool area
  • Loud music at pool
2201 Collins Ave., FL, 33319, USA
305-938–3000
Hotel Details
248 rooms
No Meals

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Mondrian South Beach

$$$ | 1100 West Ave., FL, 33139, USA
Mondrian South Beach, South Beach
Mondrian South Beach

Located along the beach's lesser-known western perimeter and overlooking the bay, this hotel recently underwent a multimillion-dollar transformation; the focal points are a new beach club, a spa, and a happening pool scene. The standout feature, Baia Beach Club, is an open-air living room space where members can drift through to dine or lounge as they please. The pool scene here is always a place to be. Tropical and handmade macramé artwork set the stage for fresh and simple guest rooms, each curated with a sleek kitchen area. The West Avenue location affords picture-perfect sunsets, but it's a 10- to 15-minute trek to the beach.

Pros

  • Cabana-lined pool with bay views
  • Perfect sunsets
  • Party vibe

Cons

  • Limited dining options
  • A short walk from most of the action
  • No direct beach access
1100 West Ave., FL, 33139, USA
305-514–1500
Hotel Details
220 rooms
No Meals

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Royal Palm South Beach Miami

$$$ | 1545 Collins Ave., FL, 33139, USA
The James Royal Palm, South Beach
Courtesy of The James Royal Palm

Royal Palm South Beach Miami, now part of Marriott's individualistic Tribute Portfolio, is a daily celebration of art deco, modernity, and design detail. Laura Rottet of Rottet Studios was charged with reinventing South Beach's original 1939 Royal Palm and Shorecrest buildings alongside the Royal Palm's younger annexes to create a seamless design masterpiece. Rooms assume a classic South Beach identity with blends of whites and pops of tropical colors. Double-door minibars open to a world of local Florida products, while colossal, wood-framed mirrors function as sliding doors for the oversize bathrooms. Beyond design brilliance, Royal Palm is an endless indulgence of the best of South Beach, including plenty of beachside and poolside bliss, excellent eating at its in-house restaurant, Byblos, and fabulous people-watching. The hotel's location at 15th and Collins places Royal Palm in the heart of the South Beach action.

Pros

  • In the heart of the action
  • Photogenic pool areas
  • Social lobby and excellent in-house restaurant, Byblos

Cons

  • Small driveway for entering
  • Older elevators
  • Needs a bed refresh
1545 Collins Ave., FL, 33139, USA
305-604–5700
Hotel Details
393 rooms
No Meals

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Soho Beach House

$$$$ | 4385 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, FL, 33140, USA
Soho Beach House Miami, Mid-Beach
Soho Beach House Miami

The Soho Beach House is a throwback to swanky vibes of bygone decades, bedazzled in faded color palates, maritime setting, and circa-1930s avant-garde furnishings, luring both somebodies and wannabes to indulge in the amenity-rich, retro-chic rooms as long as they follow stringent house rules (no photos, no mobile phones, no suits, and one guest only). The rooms are simple and rustic chic, with wood beds, leather club chairs, and bar carts to make them feel more like a guesthouse than a hotel. The lobby, the house restaurant Cecconi's, the upstairs bar, and the sexy pool buzz with young trendsetters and hipsters. Even with its glamour-puss all-stars, this hotel still maintains a casual vibe, catering to its core members—those who work in the arts.

Pros

  • Two pools
  • Fabulous restaurant
  • Full spa

Cons

  • Members have priority for rooms
  • Lots of pretentious patrons
  • House rules are a bit much
4385 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, FL, 33140, USA
786-507–7900
Hotel Details
49 rooms
No Meals

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The Balfour Hotel

$ | 350 Ocean Dr., FL, 33139, USA

In South Beach's SoFi (South of Fifth) neighborhood, the boutique Lord Balfour hotel is a great fit for young travelers who want to get out and experience South Beach (as opposed to sitting at a resort all day) and then return to stylish digs. Guest rooms within this refurbished art deco building are simple and swathed in neutral tones. There's a small plunge pool on the roof deck, and hotel guests get two beach chairs on the sand. A ground-floor restaurant serves Latin-inspired food and drinks.

Pros

  • Great European crowd
  • Pleasant interior design
  • Affordable pricing

Cons

  • Small rooms and smaller bathrooms
  • Occasional street noise from some rooms
  • Small pool
350 Ocean Dr., FL, 33139, USA
855-471–2739
Hotel Details
64 rooms
No Meals

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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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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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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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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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Dream South Beach

$$ | 1111 Collins Ave., FL, 33139, USA

This trendy boutique hotel, which is right in the center of the South Beach action, merges two refurbished, archetypal, 1939 art deco buildings into a single project of eclectic modernism, with whimsically decorated interiors that are at once trippy and cool. Designer Michael Czysz dressed rooms with colored bed lighting, bold chandeliers, and glass closets. And true to the boutique style, rooms are on the small side and often cater to a younger crowd searching for fast times in the Magic City. The see-through bathroom walls are a bit of a style overfunction and create some difficulty when sharing a room with friends or even your significant other. But once you get past that, Dream is idyllic for adventures in hedonism: tanning on the beach (with quick access), making new friends (over sun-kissed libations on the roof), and late-night debauchery (crawling distance to most nightlife). Expect lots of fun on the rooftop by day or night; there's both a petite swimming pool and the 1970s-inspired pool lounge HIGHBAR, which kicks into gear at nightfall. The hotel also provides beach chairs on its very own designated section of beach just south of 11th Street.

Pros

  • Chef Ralph Pagano's Naked Taco restaurant downstairs
  • Heated rooftop pool
  • Complimentary sparkling wine on arrival

Cons

  • Limited natural light in some rooms
  • Lack of bathroom privacy
  • Not on the beach
1111 Collins Ave., FL, 33139, USA
305-673–4747
Hotel Details
108 rooms
No Meals

Quick Facts

  • $$

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DUA Miami, An Autograph Collection

$$$ | 1300 S Miami Ave, Miami, FL, 33130, USA

"Dua" meaning love and desire in Albanian, is the theme of this new hotel in the heart of Brickell. All but 11 rooms have balconies, showcasing the Financial District with the ocean peeking through the skyscrapers. The whimsical decor with thousands of mirrors as the focal point give this hotel a confident, young, and vibrant feel. The stunning amenities include two large swimming pools, a hot and cold plunge, an extensive gym with a steam room and sauna, and large changing rooms.

Pros

  • Most rooms have balconies
  • Extremely confortable beds
  • Prime location

Cons

  • Under extensive renovation
  • Entrance is a little difficult to find
  • Not the best for kids and families
1300 S Miami Ave, Miami, FL, 33130, USA
305-239--1300
Hotel Details
124 rooms
No Meals

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Eden Roc Miami Beach

$$$ | 4525 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, FL, 33140, USA

This grand 1950s hotel designed by Morris Lapidus is a lesson in old-school glamour meets modern-day swagger after hundreds of millions in renovations and expansions over the past decade (including the addition of the hotel-within-a-hotel concept Nobu Hotel Miami Beach). Two towers sit alongside the huge pool complex, making this one of the biggest and sleekest hotels in the city. The landmark public areas exude grand elegance, including the monumental rosewood columns that surround the social lobby space, centered by a sunken bar. The lobby holds old-world charm and it's easy to imagine glamorous evenings where the likes of Frank Sinatra strolled the premises. Rooms are decorated in dark-wood tones and white accents that serve to highlight the azure blue of the ocean beyond the balconies if you spring for an ocean view. Relax in the jaw-dropping, 22,000-square-foot, two-story oceanfront spa.

Pros

  • On-site Nobu and Malibu Farm restaurants
  • Great pools
  • Revival of golden age glamour

Cons

  • Expensive parking
  • $35 charge for mini-refrigerator
  • Some small bathrooms
4525 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, FL, 33140, USA
786-801–6886
Hotel Details
345 rooms
No Meals

Quick Facts

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