It’s no secret that Matt and I love Miami. In fact, we love it so much that we bought a second place here. There’s not much about Miami that I don’t like—it has something great to offer every type of traveler.
The food scene, the culture, the bars, the nightlife, the people, the beaches, and the weather are some of the major highlights. Waking up with an ocean view also doesn’t hurt.
Life is just slower paced here (compared to New York) and I find it so refreshing.
Whether you’re planning a girls trip or going on a couples getaway, you’re in luck because Miami also boasts a variety of swanky hotels. Now that I’ve had a chance to check out local spots since living here, I can confidently say that these are the best hotels in Miami.
1 Hotel
If you have an unlimited budget, this is where you should stay. The rooms are huge and gorgeous, and there’s so much to do in the hotel itself, you literally don’t have to leave.
The rooftop pool is my favorite in all of Miami. It’s epic.
Fun fact: the 1 Hotel serves as the inspiration behind the soy candle brand Hotel Lobby Candle.
The Setai
Another one I’d recommend if you have an unlimited budget. It’s a bit more subdued—a calmer, more zen alternative to the 1 Hotel. Good for a romantic couples’ getaway.
The Edition
CHIC CHIC CHIC. I’ve stayed here a few times and absolutely love it. Everything about it is stylish. Plus, if you’re a Starwood/Marriott loyalist, you can use your points here.
The Mondrian
Not on the beach, but it’s a fun, young scene and slightly more reasonable price-wise than some of the others on this list. Would be good for a bachelor/bachelorette party.
The Plymouth
We discovered this gem last year and I can’t say enough great things about it. It’s a super intimate boutique hotel that I would describe as “under-the-radar affordable luxury.”
Since it’s not directly on the beach, the price is lower than a lot of its luxury competitors—but the quality and service is equivalent. There’s also a Blue Ribbon Sushi at the hotel, which is another plus in my book.
Fontainebleau
Another one that I love for a big group. I stayed here for a girlfriend’s bachelorette party and it was perfect.
A ton of food options, a great pool, and best of all—one of Miami’s best clubs (LIV) is in the hotel, so you can stumble home without having to get an Uber.
I would consider the Fontainebleau to be more of a party hotel, so it might not be the best option for families with young children.
The Shore Club
The rooms here could use a refresh but I still love the overall scene/pool/restaurants. It has an amazing location, great beach access, and a cool clientele—which makes it surprising that you can sometimes get super cheap nightly rates.
The last time we stayed here I booked on HotelTonight, and I think we paid $200, which is almost unheard of. (Speaking of HotelTonight…check out my list of 8 Travel Apps I Use to Jetset Like a Boss.)
Soho House
Fun fact: did you know you can actually stay here if you’re not a member? (Members get preferred rates, but non-members can still book.)
The Standard
I personally haven’t stayed here but I know a lot of people who swear by it. Also has a great spa and bar/restaurant — The Lido. Good vibes, better views.
The W South Beach
I haven’t stayed here in a while so I’m not sure what it’s like these days, but I’d say it’s a safe luxury option (and also good for Starwood members.)
Keep in mind there are two W’s—one on the beach in South Beach, and another in Brickell. I would only recommend the Brickell location if you’re going for business.
Faena
If your personal brand is EXTRA, then you would be making a big mistake—huge—by not staying at Faena.
It’s the hotel that you’ve seen all over Instagram because of there’s an enormous golden wooly mammoth encased in glass smack in the middle of the pool area.
In my experience, the crowd here skews older (and rich! naturally), which can be either a good or bad thing, depending on what vibe you’re going for. The rooms are decadent and stunning, and the service is fantastic.
The Best Hotels in Bal Harbour, Surfside, Key Biscayne, and Aventura
St Regis Bal Harbour
A great “get away from it all” option that’s a bit further north, away from the hustle and bustle. Really good for families, and has an incredible beach, plus the classic over-the-top St. Regis service (aka personal butlers for every guest.)
I love this place so much that I recently spent three full days here without ever leaving the property. (You can read about the full experience here.)
Turnberry Isle Resort & Spa
If you’re looking for a family-friendly resort that also has plenty to enjoy for adults, Turnberry Isle is where you’ll find it.
Spread across 300 acres of lush greenery, the hotel has a on-site golf course, multiple restaurants (including Michael Mina’s Bourbon Steak), a fantastic spa, and even a Starbucks.
As mentioned earlier in this post, Turnberry recently added a waterpark to the property, which makes it a DREAM for parents who want to keep their kids entertained. And the best part? Because the waterpark is so close to the hotel entrance, you could literally go from your room to the lazy river in under 10 minutes.
It’s also a great option for Marriott Bonvoy loyalists, since the resort is a JW Marriott.
Four Seasons Hotel at the Surf Club
I love Surfside for couples, minimooners, or babymooners. I saw so many cute pregnant women when I was there, I felt like I was going to get knocked up by association.
It’s super chic and has one of the BEST hotel bars I’ve been to in a while. It’s also home to an outpost of the famed Positano restaurant Le Sireneuse. (Check out my No-BS Guide to Positano here.)
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