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Looking to book one of the best hotels in Miami? From showy, celebrity-filled restaurants and clubs open until the early morning hours to beaches that double as fashion runways—not to mention home prices that break record after record—an understated destination this is not.
The city’s top hotels are no exception.
“Miami’s hotels tend to be glamorous spots that are the It places to hang out in town,” says Shelby Albo, a travel consultant and the founder of Travel Fit Love, a site that encourages active travel. “In fact, people visit Miami just for the hotels,” she adds. Our list of 11 standout properties in the Magic City spans from Surfside to South Beach, and we don’t exclude Mid-Beach in between—check them out below.
A collaboration between the famed Miami nightlife and restaurant entrepreneur David Grutman and the singer-songwriter Pharrell Williams, the Goodtime Hotel is hands-down the liveliest place to stay when you’re in Miami. As the name suggests, guests really are in for a good time: The trendy public spaces feature hand-painted murals and Deco plasterwork while rooms are pure fun, with leopard-print benches and pink rotary dial phones. The property also has a 30,000-square-foot pool club called Strawberry Moon, a spacious gym, and a library where guests can socialize over coffee or cocktails.
After 10 years as an Art Basel social center, W South Beach reopened in 2020 after a $30 million renovation. Gone are the dark tones and shiny finishes; the 357 guest rooms now feature an airy aesthetic and emphasize warm oaks and natural light, making this a serene getaway on Collins Avenue. The property also has a new spa and an updated art collection, valued at $100 million and featuring 21 original Andy Warhols. Standout amenities include on-site tennis and basketball courts, new beach cabanas, and an outpost of the celebrity-favorite restaurant Mr. Chow.
With sleek, dark tones and a distinctly Asian design, the Setai, Miami Beach oozes elegance. You can spend your time at the property—a member of the Leading Hotels of the World—sipping fresh coconut juice from the fruit itself by the three guest-only swimming pools or splurging on a treatment at the Valmont spa. The signature restaurant, Jaya, serves up some of the best Asian food you’ll ever eat, including killer Indian curries, and you can expect a full-on show while you dine. Think fire dancers, aerial acrobats suspended from the roof, and live jazz.
A European-inspired, family-owned luxury boutique hotel right on Ocean Drive in the heart of South Beach, the Betsy is a property where an art gallery (the fabulous collection is a highlight) meets a jazz club (there’s live jazz seven days a week) meets a coffee shop that hosts regular book talks and poetry readings. The hotel also has a beach-facing outdoor dining terrace that’s buzzy all day and a rooftop pool with panoramic views of the city.
In the heart of Mid-Beach and boasting some of the widest and most pristine beachfront Miami has to offer, Faena Hotel Miami Beach can best be described as maximalism and then some. With the help of Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin, Argentinean hotelier Alan Faena reimagined the historic Saxony Hotel, originally built in 1947 and the stomping ground of Hollywood icons such as Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe, into an Art Deco–inspired space that’s a throwback to its old glory days.
The property features pieces by renowned artists such as Damien Hirst and Jeff Koons and claims many impressive amenities. Dining options include Los Fuegos by Francis Mallmann, which serves Argentine fare from South America’s most celebrated chef, a theater with live shows, a bar, and a 22,000-square-foot oceanfront spa.
Soon after it first opened its doors on New Year’s Eve 1930, the Surf Club became the go-to place for luminaries such as Elizabeth Taylor and Winston Churchill. A Four Seasons–branded property today, the luxury hotel is still the most sophisticated place to stay in Miami and has a contemporary aesthetic with light tones. Set on nine acres of oceanfront, it includes 77 rooms, three pools with day cabanas, a destination spa, a champagne bar, and an Italian restaurant. The Surf Club is also home to a restaurant by the acclaimed chef Thomas Keller.
When Ian Schrager and Marriott teamed up to open this luxe hotel, it made quite a splash—and it’s still one of the coolest hotels in South Florida. You can expect to find the same sleek style as at the New York Edition (and all the other Edition hotels for that matter) and likely the same crowd too. Rooms (or rather, bungalows) feature floor-to-ceiling windows with ocean views, flat-screen TVs, high-end linens, and marble bathrooms with products by Le Labo (plus, suites have deep soaking tubs). Here, though, the amenities go above and beyond, with dining by Jean-Georges Vongerichten, excellent wellness offerings, a beach club, and mini nightclub complete with a bowling alley and skating rink.
Who says all the fun is to be had on Miami Beach? Across Biscayne Bay, on the mainland so to speak, there are plenty of things for design lovers to do. This sleek boutique hotel designed by Philippe Starck puts you in easy reach of Downtown Miami, Wynwood’s street art and hip restaurants, and the Design District. When you’re not out and about, spend some time relaxing poolside, getting a massage at the spa, and indulging in wood-fired pizzas and other Italian fare at Fi’lia.
Coconut Grove may not be considered one of Miami’s hot neighborhoods, but with a perch at the Mr. C hotel there, you might rethink how you feel about the area. This five-star member of the Leading Hotels of the World is the brainchild of Ignazio and Maggio Cipriani, fourth-generation members of Italian hospitality royalty. Though it isn’t technically a beach resort, you’ll feel the luxe coastal vibes as soon as you walk in, as much of the hotel is covered in the kind of lacquered wood paneling typically found on yachts. The rooftop bar and restaurant, Bellini, serves up Italian classics like spaghetti with clams and fritto misto so good you’ll forget you’re not on the beach.
If you crave tranquility and seclusion, this luxe resort right on the Atlantic Ocean, a 30-minute drive north of Miami Beach is your best bet. Inspired by a Mediterranean villa, with bright red lounge chairs and umbrellas lining the outdoor pools and on the beach, this member of the Leading Hotels of the World is a favorite of families who want room to spread out and couples more interested in romance than nightlife. With a 20,000 square-foot spa, the resort puts a premium on its wellness offerings.
The cognoscenti are all plugged into Casa Tua, the chic see-and-be-seen private members club in Miami’s Art Deco District that’s set among lush foliage and transports you to another world. It also has a restaurant that serves up simple but authentic and delicious Italian food. Few, however, are aware this gorgeous villa also has five rooms available for overnight stays.
Being at the property feels like visiting the home of a dear friend who has incredible taste: The staff exudes warmth, and the revered architect and designer Michele Bönan is behind the decor, which is unique to each room and features eclectic pieces sourced from all over the world. Perks for guests include freshly cut flowers, an unpacking service, access to the members club, and a choice of linen or cotton sheets. The beach is a short walk away.
Craving an escape? From colorful carry-ons to cleverly designed packing cubes (how did we ever travel without them?), shop everything you need to make the journey in style—and as streamlined and stress-free as possible.
