40 Best Hotels in Miami and Miami Beach, Florida

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

"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.

A favorite of business travelers visiting Downtown's bustling Brickell Avenue, this plush sanctuary offers a respite from the nine-to-five mayhem—a soothing water wall greets you, the understated rooms impress you, and the seventh-floor, 2-acre-pool terrace relaxes you. Inside, a cavernous lobby houses larger-than-life sculptures commissioned by local and Latin American artists. All guest rooms and suites offer city or bay views and a window seating area to enjoy them. Although the pool oasis overlooks Downtown Miami and Biscayne Bay, it's still easy to forget you're in the middle of the city, especially when strolling through the foot-deep wading pool with 24 palm tree "islands" or napping in one of the suspended hammocks. Gym rats rejoice over the beautiful 50,000-square-foot Equinox sports club, complete with complimentary yoga and exercise classes (in fact 100 classes per week!) and plenty of eye candy. The hotel's indoor-outdoor restaurant, EDGE Steak & Bar, is a local dining and happy-hour hot spot for Miami's power players, movers, and shakers.

Though it’s not directly on the beach—it’s across the street—this boutique hotel offers fabulous, style- and value-conscious accommodations in the heart of South Beach with plenty of art deco history to boot. Originally designed by noted architect L. Murray Dixon as sister hotels, the Gale and the Regent, debuting in 1941, the hotel was resurrected in 2012 by Menin Hospitality. Sun worshippers looking for a scene can hang out on the pool deck in their best skimpy swimsuits or chill on the rooftop with a cocktail. Hotel guests have complimentary beach club access at the Shelborne Hotel, also managed by Menin Hospitality.

The art-deco, bright Miami vibe oozes through this hotel only steps away from the beach and main attractions of Mid-Beach. There are plenty of room options, including hostel-like bunk bed rooms for the younger crowd, but the Generator is a place for all ages. A gorgeous pool in the back along with Pikio Taco as the dining option that brings in hotel guests and locals alike, The Generator captures the essence of Miami perfectly. Go ahead and spoil yourself with one of the many private room options and enjoy what the city truly has to offer.

Not to be confused with the budget Bentley Hotel down the street, the Hilton Bentley Miami is a contemporary, design-driven, and artsy boutique hotel in the emerging and trendy SoFi (South of Fifth) District, offering families just the right mix of South Beach flavor and wholesome fun while still providing couples a romantic base without any party madness. Occupying two 10-story buildings with a prime beachfront location, rooms and suites (collectively called "studios") range from snug to colossal, each adorned with a perfect mix of art deco redux and modern bling. They feature Italian-marble flooring, kitchenettes, and balconies facing either the ocean or the Miami skyline. It happens to be one of the area's few kid-friendly boutique hotels, and, as such, for the little ones there are child-size beach chairs and umbrellas as well as a bunch of other kids' amenities on request.

This value-conscious art deco property inhabits the historic Tiffany building on Collins Avenue as well as a second building along Ocean Drive with interiors by fashion designer Todd Oldham. The name "Tiffany" spelled out vertically in eye-popping neon on the venue’s iconic aluminum spire is evidence of the hotel’s original identity. When the L. Murray Dixon–designed Tiffany Hotel was erected in 1939, neon was still a novelty. Its use, coupled with the spire’s rocketlike shape, combined to create a futuristic look influenced by the sci-fi themes then pervasive in popular culture. Nowadays you can walk through a large porch—a remnant of when Miami Beach hotels had no air-conditioning and guests cooled off outdoors—and enter the lobby, furnished with comfortable chairs and porthole windows. Rooms have blond-wood furnishings, accented by bright window treatments, pillows, and bedding in primary colors.

Tucked away on Indian Creek Drive inside a restored art deco building (once the Greenbrier Hotel) is this boho-chic boutique hotel with oversize rooms and suites, each impeccably decorated with retro Mediterranean flair. The property's pool is located in a lush, tropical garden that feels like a private oasis. The on-site restaurant, aptly named Greenbrier Swim and Social, features an all-day menu of salads and sandwiches, as well as a full cocktail bar. While it's not located directly on the beach, complimentary beach umbrellas, chairs, and towel set-ups are provided.

At the sleek Hotel Victor, guest rooms are equipped with Yabu Pushelberg–designed interiors invoking a post-century beach cabana vibe, and a sexy infinity-edge pool overlooks Ocean Drive and the beach. The property first rose to fame thanks to Parisian designer Jacques Garcia; Yabu Pushelberg has since replaced Garcia's jellyfish motif with a newer incarnation of bold modernism. The lobby features a stunning midcentury-modern vibe and is an oasis from Miami Beach's famed Ocean Drive—just outside the door. A large patio overlooks the action from a calmer viewpoint. Rooms face either the pool or the ocean. Many are compact but highly functional and even house oversize bathrooms. Each room comes with a set of foldable beach chairs for guests to take onto the nearby sands.

Within walking distance of the shops and businesses of Miami’s most prestigious suburb and just 4 miles from Miami International Airport, this Moorish-inspired property mingles European charm with functionality. In the common areas and throughout the exteriors, lofty pillars, arched columns, charming courtyards, high ceilings, and antique art play into the hotel’s Alhambra inspiration. Spread over three buildings, the hotel includes 80 balconied suites that overlook the fifth-floor swimming pool. Nondescript yet comfortable rooms cater to the hotel's principal clients—business travelers. Each houses a signature Hyatt Grand Bed, dark-wood furniture with dedicated work space, and pool or city views. On most days, the lobby buzzes with a scene of Miami's Latin power players.

Right next to The Shops at Midtown, this sbe collection hotel welcomes guests with an art-filled lobby and crisp white rooms. Perfect for work or play, the amenities range from work spaces and free Wi-Fi to a Ciel Spa with a plethora of services for pampering. Venture to the seventh floor for a full-size outdoor tennis court and pool lined with a dozen private cabanas. Rooms feature fully stocked kitchenettes, walk-in showers, and deep bathtubs.

The Miami marriage of Marriott's JW and Marquis brands creates a truly high-tech, contemporary, and stylish business-minded hotel—from the three-story crystal chandelier in the entry to the smart and symmetric guest rooms, rife with electronic gadgets. Spacious rooms offer sweeping views of the Miami skyline or Biscayne Bay from floor-to-ceiling windows. A large, semicircular desk and towering full-length mirrors please both business types and fashionistas. Bathrooms have separate showers and bathtubs. Amenities on-site include a restaurant by celebrity chef Daniel Boulud, a 50,000-square-foot entertainment complex (with an NBA-approved basketball arena, virtual bowling alley, tennis court, and golf school), the Met2 Fitness gym, and the world-class Enliven spa. The outdoor rooftop pool allows for stunning views of the ever-growing Miami skyline and Biscayne Bay. Concierge-floor rooms offer complimentary nonalcoholic beverages, bites, and daily breakfast.

As part of the hip Kimpton Hotel group, South Beach's legendary Surfcomber hotel reflects a vintage luxe aesthetic and an ocean-side freshness as well as a reasonable price point that packs the place with a young, sophisticated, yet unpretentious crowd. Expect bursts of tropical colors that perfectly complement the terrazzo floors and create an ideal lobby backdrop. Rooms are a little small but offer an ample dose of sweet and stylish modern opulence. The outdoor spaces channel backyard bliss, with plenty of lounge chairs surrounding the pool and two floors of poolside cabanas. The grassy lounge area behind the pool includes an entire sandy beach playground complete with picnic tables, games, and the High Tide Bar. Stop by the Social Club for shareable plates paired with craft cocktails and local beers. Wi-Fi, a nightly wine hour, and morning coffee are all complimentary.

Providing understated luxury in the middle of the Collins Avenue action, this small, sophisticated hotel occupies a beautifully renovated art deco building (formerly the historic Peter Miller Hotel) and is a block from the beach. Rooms by Argentinian interior designer Juan Ciavarella are simple but chic and sustainable, with natural elements such as light woods and upcycled materials. Some rooms overlook or open to a narrow courtyard pool area with a bar, while others have balconies overlooking the neighborhood. A cool bar lounge just inside the entrance makes it a joy to linger and admire the building's original architectural details.