We list the best hotels in Miami as recommended by travel experts from CNN, Lonely Planet, Frommer’s, Fodor’s, New York Times and more. All hotel recommendations have been referenced with customer reviews and we only listed places that have at least a 4 out of 5-star customer review rating.
Best cheap hotel in Miami: The Vagabond Hotel
Best boutique hotel in Miami: The Betsy South Beach
Best luxury hotel in Miami: Four Seasons at The Surf Club
Best hostel in Miami: Hostel Freehand
Best eco-friendly hotel in Miami: Circa 39
“For those opting out of South Beach there’s East, Miami in Brickell with eye-catching geometric lines designed by the local architecture firm Arquitectonica. Billed as a lifestyle hotel, it houses a series of dining venues, including a coffee shop, an Asian-themed rooftop bar and a fifth-floor restaurant called Quinto La Huella, the first international outpost of Uruguay’s renowned La Huella seaside grill.”
Featured in New York Times’ 36 Hours in Miami.
“There are by now an awful lot of pretty great—even splendid—luxury hotels throughout Miami’s Brickell Avenue/financial/office district just south of downtown. But the one I still find among the most contemporary Miami in spirit is the cool wedge-shaped property a quick pop over the bridge on Brickell Key.”
Featured as Frommer’s Exceptional Choice in Miami.
“A 50-room hotel tower annexed to the grounds of a members-only club, Soho Beach House offers a quiet, intimate take on the best of Miami experience. With the exception of the courtyard restaurant Cecconi’s, on-site amenities here are off-limits to the general public.”
“If you don’t need to be within walking distance of the sand and surf, consider the mainland’s Vagabond Hotel, a 1950s roadside inn given a retro-chic overhaul.”
Featured in New York Times’ 36 Hours in Miami.
“Despite the stylish décor and classy location, the Lord Balfour is low on stuffiness. Service is friendly. Glitz is minimal. Clientele was composed mainly of what looked to be upper-middle-class families and couples rather than the jet-setters who frequent the five-star palaces farther up South Beach. If you don’t demand pomp or pampering, Lord Balfour is a charming host.”
“If you’re looking for seclusion and don’t mind paying top dollar for it, The Surf Club is a wonderful option, and more centrally located than the many luxury resorts you’ll find in Sunny Isles Beach.”
Featured in CN Traveler’s 2018 Hot List.
“The recently restored Nautilus, a Sixty Hotel, on Collins Avenue, was originally built in the 1950s by the neo-Baroque architect Morris Lapidus. Its contemporary lobby features nods to the era, with semicircular velvet sofas and gilded accents. Behind it is a saltwater pool with a garden leading straight to the beach.”
Featured in New York Times’ 36 Hours in Miami.
“The Shelborne by Proper, an Art Deco gem just north of the bustle of South Beach, reopened this year after a $100 million upgrade. The hotel has a relaxed pool (with a historic diving board preserved in the renovation) and beach bed set ups.”
“The Hotel Croydon is a reasonably priced, convenient and comfortable option with perks that make choosing it worthwhile. Two selling points are the outdoor spaces: the pool on the ground floor and the spacious roof deck, which offers views of the ocean and the surrounding city.”
“The imposing neo-Spanish-colonial pile, rising regally over a 150-acre Coral Gables spread and dating back to city founder George Merrick’s original plan in 1926, has seen a lot of history since, to this day regularly hosting heads of states, CEOs, and celebrities.”
Featured as Frommer’s Exceptional Choice in Miami.
“A funky boutique hotel with Jazz Age roots and a neo-Spanish-Mediterranean vibe, there’s excellent food and drink here and a lovely rooftop pool and lounge.”
“The THesis Hotel Miami, at the intersection of the Coral Gables and Coconut Grove neighborhoods, offers some distance from the crowds in South Beach and downtown without being too far away. The hotel has a rooftop pool and an idyllic terrace.”
Featured in New York Times’ 36 Hours in Miami.
“In a great location two blocks from the beach, the Washington Park is spread among five beautifully restored art-deco buildings fronted by a pool and a palm-fringed courtyard.”
“Set in a beautifully restored 1925 beaux-arts high-rise, the Langford opened to much fanfare in 2016. Its 126 rooms blend comfort and nostalgia, with elegant fixtures and vintage details, including white oak flooring and glass-encased rain showers.”
“It’s hard to beat the oceanfront view at the 357-room Cadillac Hotel in mid-Miami Beach, and recently restored to the architect Roy France’s original 1940 Art Deco design.”
Featured in New York Times’ 36 Hours in Miami.
“The Mayfair House in Coconut Grove reopened in 2022 after a $50 million renovation, highlighting its 1980s-style hanging-garden courtyard. Coconut Grove is close to the highways yet remains one of the most walkable Miami neighborhoods, with the open-air mall CocoWalk, local boutiques, Panther Coffee and two one-star Michelin restaurants, Ariete and Los Félix.”
“One of South Beach’s finest hotels, the Betsy has a classy vibe with excellent service and first-rate amenities. The historic gem has two wings, with rooms set in either a colonial style or an art-deco aesthetic.”
“This hip hotel-hostel with both private and shared rooms anchored by Broken Shaker, Miami Beach’s most popular cocktail bar, is something of an anomaly; at once one of Miami’s trendiest and most affordable hotels. There is a lush, inviting courtyard and pool courting Miami Beach locals, as well as 27 Restaurant.”
“Vegas meets art deco at this colossal classic, deemed Miami’s biggest hotel after its $1 billion reinvention, which spawned more than 1,500 rooms, 12 renowned restaurants and lounges, LIV nightclub, several sumptuous pools with cabana islands, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and a 40,000-square-foot spa.”
Featured as Fodor’s Choice in Miami.
Recommended by:
New York Times, Lonely Planet, Telegraph
Recommended by:
Frommers, Fodors, Forbes, Telegraph
Recommended by:
CNN, Telegraph
Recommended by:
New York Times
Recommended by:
New York Times, Telegraph
Recommended by:
CN Traveler, Forbes
Recommended by:
New York Times, Telegraph
Recommended by:
New York Times, CN Traveler, Telegraph
Recommended by:
New York Times
Recommended by:
Frommers, Lonely Planet, Forbes, Telegraph
Recommended by:
CN Traveler, New York Times, Telegraph
Recommended by:
New York Times
Recommended by:
Lonely Planet
Recommended by:
Lonely Planet
Recommended by:
New York Times, Telegraph
Recommended by:
New York Times, CN Traveler
Recommended by:
Lonely Planet, Fodors, Forbes, Telegraph
Recommended by:
Telegraph, New York Times
Recommended by:
Fodors, Forbes, CNN, Frommers, Telegraph
Miami is a global city located at the southeastern U.S. state of Florida. The city is home to the famous South Beach and is renowned for trendsetting nightclubs, surfside hotels, white sand, and colorful art deco buildings.
Some of the best neighborhoods in Miami are:
Brickell
Brickell is a neighborhood that is the financial district of the city and also has a vibrant nightlife and entertainment scene. The neighborhood is home to many pubs and bars such as Blackbird Ordinary, Sidebar, La Moon, El Tucan, among others. The neighborhood has shopping centers such as Pandora, Lululemon Athletica, Chopard, AllSaints, and Agent Provocateur.
Coconut Grove
Coconut Grove is a neighborhood that is home to several great restaurants such as Sky Lounge, Panorama Restaurant, Plant Food + Wine, and Peacock Garden Café. The restaurants offer great margarita and seafood and gives out romantic and laid-back vibes.
Coral Gables
Coral Gables is a neighborhood that is full of lush greenery filled with flowers, trees, and other natural elements that renders it a garden type of look. The area features old Spanish architecture and several restaurants, bars, pubs, cafes, bookstores, and many more places.
Downtown Miami
Downtown Miami is a neighborhood that is located near waterfront. The neighborhood is the home to several landmarks such as Olympia Theater that is the city’s historic performing arts center, The Moth that is a live event where people come on stage to tell stories, Fratelli Milano that is a romantic and quaint restaurant and Jar + Fork a healthy restaurant that serves cold-pressed juices, delicious wraps, and salmon curry bowls.
Also check out our guide about the best areas to stay in Miami.
If you're looking for a cheap hotel in Miami, then book The Vagabond Hotel. It's an excellent budget hotel offering great value for money. It's in a good location, it's been recommended by travel experts and the hotel has excellent customer reviews. Also check out our list of the best cheap hotels in Miami.
You like some luxury but don't like the famous chain hotels. If you're looking for the best boutique hotel in Miami, you should check out The Betsy South Beach. It's a very cool hotel that has been highly recommended by travelers and experts.
Also check out our list of the best boutique hotels in Miami, it's a manually curated list of the most unique and romantic hotels in the city.
If money isn't a problem and you're looking for a luxury hotel in Miami, then go for Four Seasons at The Surf Club. The hotel offers excellent service, it's in a top location, it has been rated very highly by previous guests and renowned travel critics have recommended it.
Also check out our list of the best luxury hotels in Miami, it's a manually curated list of the most exclusive 5-star hotels in the city.
If you're looking for a great hostel in Miami, then you should check out Hostel Freehand. The hostel has magnificent reviews by backpackers, it has been recommended by well-known travel experts and it's in a good location. Also check out our guide about the best hostels in Miami.
Looking for a great view while having a drink? Try Hotel East or Eurostars Langford Hotel, both excellent rooftop bars with views of Miami.
Staying in Miami Beach isn't cheap. For a 3-star hotel you have to pay around $160 per night and for a 4-star hotel you would be looking at $300 per night. If you're after a luxury 5-star Miami Beach hotel then you can expect to pay around $550 per night.
If you're looking for a room with a view, then try Hotel East or Hotel Mandarin Oriental. Both offer amazing views of Miami according to recent customer reviews.
Speedboat Sightseeing Tour of Miami. Cruise the Miami coastline 'Miami Vice-style' on this speedboat cruise. Settle in to your plush seat as your expert captain pilots the speedboat down the sandy shoreline, where you can view Fisher Island and Star Island's collection of multi-millionaire and celebrity homes. Price: $40.
Everglades National Park Airboat Tour and Wildlife Show. Experience South Florida's premier Everglades and alligator adventure. Take an educational and exciting airboat tour of the National Park. See a wildlife show with the opportunity to hold a baby gator. Price: $19.
Miami Combo Tour: City Sightseeing, Biscayne Bay Cruise and Everglades Airboat Ride. Escape to the wilderness of the Florida Everglades and see Miami by bus and boat on this guided, full-day, city sightseeing adventure. This exciting full-day combo package includes a coach tour around downtown Miami and beyond, plus a cruise on the crystal clear waters of Biscayne Bay. Price: $68.
More things to do in Miami
Today, the city of Miami is a thriving metropolis that attracts tourists from all over the world. But not so long ago, it was just a small fishing village with little to offer visitors. Now things are very different. In fact, the city of Miami is now one of the most exciting places in the world and a great place to visit if you’re looking for somewhere with plenty to see and do. It has an excellent range of hotels and apartment buildings as well as some beautiful beaches – ideal for tourists looking to relax or party all night long! With that in mind, we thought it would be helpful to create an insightful Miami travel guide packed full of useful information about this great city. In this guide, you will find lots of tips and recommendations on where to stay, what places not to miss while staying there and some general advice on things like safety precautions and local customs – Things you might not think about when visiting a new city.
A Brief History of the City of Miami
Before we dive into the specifics of the city of Miami, let’s start with a brief history of the area. The city of Miami is formed around the Miami River and the Biscayne Bay – right on the border between Florida and the Caribbean Sea. The bay itself is home to one of the world’s largest coral reefs and is one of the major reasons why Miami has become such a popular tourist destination. Both the bay and the river are fed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, meaning that the city of Miami enjoys a tropical, sub-tropical climate year round. This is what makes it such an attractive vacation destination for tourists from all over the world. Because of its proximity to the Caribbean, the city of Miami has always been of strategic importance. You see, the Caribbean is one of the busiest trade routes in the world and holds huge economic importance for many countries. This is why many battles have been fought in the region and Miami has found itself in the center of many of these conflicts.
Where to Stay in Miami
As you might expect, there are ample hotels and apartment buildings in the city of Miami, but which one is best for you? There are a number of factors to take into account when deciding where to stay in Miami and the right choice for one person might not be the right choice for you. If you’re traveling on a budget, you might want to stay in a hostel or Airbnb. If you want luxury, then you may want to stay in one of the city’s many 5-star hotels. If you have a family, then you may prefer to stay in a hotel with on-site childcare facilities. You may also want to consider the proximity of your hotel to attractions, restaurants, and public transportation. You don’t want to spend all your time traveling to and from your hotel.
Whether you’re visiting for the first time or revisiting, we hope this guide helps you get the most out of your visit to Miami. Please do read our guide on where to stay in Miami, so you get an even better idea about the city.
Things to Do in Miami
Now that you know where to stay in Miami, let’s take a look at some of the things you should do while visiting this fascinating city. There are plenty of attractions in Miami that are worth visiting, but first, we recommend taking some time out to relax on one of the beautiful beaches. Miami Beach, more commonly referred to as South Beach, is one of the most popular beaches in Miami and is a great place to start your visit to the city.
Another great beach to visit is Hollywood Beach, where you can enjoy a walk along the boardwalk or even have a go at surfing if you’re feeling adventurous. And if you’re looking for something a bit more cultural, then you should definitely visit the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens during your trip to Miami.
Another great way to spend your time in Miami is to head to Little Havana, home to many Cuban immigrants, and check out the famous Calle Ocho – or 8th Street. You can also visit Coconut Grove, Miami Beach, Wynwood, and Downtown Miami – which is also the location of the Miami Convention Center.
Final Words – The Bottom Line
We hope that our Miami travel guide has given you some helpful tips and advice on visiting this fascinating city. The city of Miami is a great place to visit if you’re looking for somewhere with plenty to see and do. It has an excellent range of hotels and apartment buildings as well as some beautiful beaches – ideal for tourists looking to relax or party all night long!
Whether you’re visiting for the first time or revisiting, we hope this guide helps you get the most out of your visit to the city. Please do read our guide on where to stay in Miami, so you get an even better idea about the city.
If you like our list of accommodations and hotels in Miami, then you should also check out our selection of recommended hotels in Buenos Aires or the best hotels in Hawaii.