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Miami Skyline
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The 10 Best Hotels in Miami, Florida

When you’re thinking Miami, you’ve likely got one of two things on your mind: partying or sunshine. Some visitors come to South Beach looking to take advantage of the bars, restaurants, and nightlife that make the Miami area such an exciting place to be, while others are all about the calm waters, smooth sand, and sunshine that make South Beach ideal for summer fun.

These hotels are the best places in Miami to get a good night’s sleep after a day on the beach and a night at the clubs.

Mandarin Oriental

View of the Mandarin Oriental, Miami exterior from across the water
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Brickell Key isn’t far from Miami, but its island location, slightly apart from downtown makes it feel a world away. The best Brickell Key hotel is the Mandarin Oriental, which offers a relaxing oasis.

Inside the hotel, guests will find walk-in showers, soaking tubs, and comfortable beds, along with some of the best views of Miami from their windows. When you want to experience the bustle and excitement of the city, you’re only a five-minute walk away from downtown Miami. 

If you want to stay in for a secluded getaway, the Mandarin’s private beach and extensive room service menu mean that you can enjoy a fantastic vacation without ever having to leave the property.

Biltmore Hotel Coral Gables

View from across a pool of the Biltmore Hotel - Miami - Coral Gables
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Coral Gables is nicknamed “The City Beautiful,” and the Biltmore Hotel certainly lives up to that description. The hotel dates back to 1926, and a 2018 renovation has brought its features up to date without sacrificing any of the charms that make this place special. Marble columns and hand-painted décor create a magnificent atmosphere, and amenities include the largest hotel pool in the continental United States.

Along with the pool, you’ll find plenty of recreational activities on the property, including tennis courts, a salon, and a championship golf course. You’ll also find easy access to some cultural activities in Coral Gables, such as the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and the Lowe Art Museum. If you’re looking for more than the beach on your trip to Miami, this is one of your best options just south of the city.

Nobu Hotel Miami Beach

View of the pool at the Nobu Hotel Miami Beach with palm trees and the ocean in the distance
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Remember, Miami and Miami Beach are not the same place. South Beach sits a bridge away from Miami proper, which makes hotels on the beach prized for those who are looking for a beach trip out of their time in South Florida. The Nobu Hotel is one of the top options on Miami Beach because it sits just across from the sand, offering guests easy access to the waterfront whenever they want to check out the ocean.

On the property, guests can enjoy three outdoor pools, spacious rooms with fantastic views of the Atlantic Ocean, luxurious tubs and showers, and some of the best culinary experiences in Miami. The hotel is home to Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s restaurant Nobu Miami, one of the best Japanese restaurants you’ll find anywhere. You’ll also have easy access to Miami Beach’s nightlife, making this one of the best hotels in Miami if you’re looking for the best of beach life and upscale experiences.

The Setai

Looking over The Setai's pools withpalm trees blowing in the wind and the sunset in the background
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Deep relaxation in the lap of luxury is the name of the game at the Setai, which offers hand-made Duxiana beds, rainfall showers, and three hotel pools that are kept at different temperatures to ensure guests find the right one for their needs. This is the ideal spot to sleep off a long night on South Beach because you’re surrounded by luxurious items as well as an environment where everyone’s trying to get the most relaxing weekend they possibly can.

A stay at the Setai is definitely a splurge choice for your time on the beach, but if you really want to come to Miami to get away from the stress of daily life, this is the place to be.

Shelborne South Beach

Looking at the Shelborne South Beach's pool with the main building in the background
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Getting a great hotel on South Beach doesn’t have break your vacation budget. The Shelborne South Beach proves that guests don’t have to sacrifice luxury for affordability as it offers direct beach access, heated pools, and comfortable beds and balconies in the rooms for cheap rates. The property underwent a full renovation in 2014 and now carries a modern Art Deco atmosphere that more than serves the needs of its guests.

With easy access to both the beach and the restaurants and nightclubs on Collins Avenue, this is a great place to stay if you’re looking for a cheap South Beach hotel.  

Fontainebleau Miami Beach

View of the Fontainebleau Miami Beach's main building, grounds and pools, and beach and ocean in the background
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The Fontainebleau is the original Miami Modern hotel, and it’s still one of the best. It’s been around since the 1950s, but its current version first appeared in 2008 as one of the top resort options available for South Beach travelers. You won’t ever have to leave Fontainebleau to experience the best of Miami Beach, as it’s home to LIV, one of the top clubs in the city, and Scarpetta, a famous Italian restaurant. 

Fontainebleau’s rooms cater to both the party crowd of South Beach as well as those who want to relax and get away from stress. Multiple towers feature different atmospheres, so you can customize the vacation vibe you want. Both the large pool and easy access to the beach make sure that this is one of the best hotels in Miami for anyone looking for some fun in the sun. 

W South Beach

Aerial view of the W South Beach
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A 2020 renovation took what was already a popular hotel and made it into one of the best hotels in Miami Beach. W South Beach offers the largest rooms in South Beach, and each one provides a private balcony to allow guests to enjoy the sunshine while escaping from the crowds.

This hotel caters to art and culture lovers, as it sits right across the street from the Bass Museum of Art and the outdoor sculptures of Collins Park. The hotel offers its own collection of top-quality art, and a tour of W’s gallery is included as part of the resort fee. Head in the other direction, and you’ll run right into the main draw of Miami Beach: the beach itself.

Four Seasons at the Surf Club

Aerial view of the Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club with the sunset reflecting off the buildings
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Palm trees in the corridors, clean and comfortable room designs, luxury bathrooms, and poolside service await you at the Four Seasons. This hotel’s the ideal choice for those who really want an escape, as it’s situated in the Surfside section of northern Miami Beach. That means you’re not going to find the party scene that you would on South Beach, which can be a good thing for those who want a calm, tranquil beach getaway.

If you’re looking to spend as much time in the water as possible, this is a great choice. Three pools, beach access, and an older clientele mean that you’ll be able to enjoy the beach without getting interrupted by the more boisterous scenes further south. 

Lido Restaurant and the Surf Club restaurant ensure that you’ll enjoy top-quality meals without having to leave the resort, and you’ll wake up to fantastic views of either the city or the ocean, depending on your room’s location.

Faena Hotel Miami Beach

Looking at the rear of the Faena Hotel Miami Beach with palm trees, a table with chairs and umbrella, & bones of dinosaur on display
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Have you ever wanted to spend a few days living like you’re in a movie? The Faena Hotel offers exactly that scene, as recent renovations made it look and feel more like something that belongs on the big screen as opposed to off the Atlantic Ocean. The bedrooms are bright and well-lit for enjoyment during the day, and the comfortable bedding makes for a restful night’s sleep when the day’s over.

The Faena’s best described as kind of an in-between spot as far as the South Beach party scene. It’s not as boisterous as the furthest south locations, but it’s not as quiet as the northern section of the beach. You’ll find elegance and touches of whimsy here, along with top-quality service and easy access to the beach.

The National Hotel Miami Beach

Front entrance to the National Hotel, An Adult Only Oceanfront Resort
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Sometimes, you just want to get away from the kids and enjoy a weekend free of responsibilities and heavy on adult fun. The National Hotel is the best adults-only hotel in Miami. Previously, the National was known for its infinity pool as well as its beach access, but it’s now established itself as one of the few spots in Miami that is only open to adult guests.

Some of the recent property updates include a martini bar inside the hotel, an outdoor bar for beach guests, and a full restaurant inside the hotel. The infinity pool is still as majestic as ever, and guests can enjoy massages, ocean views, and quality-sized rooms in one of the more historic buildings on South Beach. It’s also situated just off Collins Avenue for easy access to nightlife and bars.

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