Miami has luxurious oceanfront resort hotels with restaurants run by star chefs, stylish and artsy boutique hotels, and of course its Art Deco hotel masterpieces. This may give the impression that accommodation is expensive, but that’s far from the case. Naturally if you do want a 5-star hotel with ocean views you will pay highly for it. Move a few blocks back, though, and rates start to fall.
Miami is also a busy tourist city and many of the big US chains are found here, including both mid-range hotels and more budget motel-style accomodations. You may not be in the thick of the action but it certainly is worth investigating: check the location and transportation options, and you could save yourself a lot of money.
You also need to check the events calendar (for more information, click here) as prices during festivals and conventions rocket, but if you can be flexible on your dates and travel a week or two earlier or later, you’ll find very different price ranges. The same goes for choosing which season you travel in. High season means high prices, and you’ll pay top dollars, but visit in the shoulder seasons and again, prices are much more affordable. Many of the hotels also have a very wide range of room rates, so don’t write off those resort hotels and Art Deco classics. A smaller room in one of those places may be much better in terms of quality and value than a better room in a chain hotel. In short, before booking your trip to Miami you need to do some hotel homework.
Note that some of the tours have no hotel listings here, simply because there are few decent hotels in those more residential neighborhoods.
Price for a standard double room for one night, excluding taxes and breakfast, in high season.
$$$$ = over $250
$$$ = $150-250
$$ = $75-150
$ = less than $75
Room with a view at the Fontainebleau
Fontainebleau
Miami Beach
Fontainebleau Hilton Resort and Towers
4441 Collins Avenue; tel: 800-548-8886; www.fontainebleau.com; $$$$
This is an opulent and extensively renovated 1,206-room hotel built in the 1950s. Facilities include a pool with waterfalls, tennis courts, a health club, restaurants, nightclubs (with a famous Latin floorshow), shopping, and activities for children of all ages.
National Hotel
1677 Collins Avenue; tel: 800-327-8370; www.nationalhotel.com; $$$
This is an elegant Art Deco landmark with all the amenities including a fitness room, massage, and a location right by the beach. It’s beautifully renovated, and the long, narrow pool is both historic and unique.
The Richmond Hotel
1757 Collins Avenue; tel: 305-538-2331; www.richmondhotel.com; $$$
The Richmond is unusual in that it’s still a family-run hotel, now in the third generation, which opened in 1941during the boom in Art Deco building. It has a beachfront location and its own pool, surrounded by palm trees.
The Sagamore Hotel
1671 Collins Avenue; tel: 305-535-8088; www.sagamorehotel.com; $$$$
The Sagamore is a luxury hotel in the Miami Beach Art Deco district, and has 93 suites, bungalows, and oceanfront penthouses. The décor is mostly minimalist chic, and amenities include a spa, pool, restaurant, and art collections in both public spaces and guest rooms.
Seagull Hotel Miami Beach
100 21st Street; tel: 305-538-6631; http://seagullhotelmiamibeach.com; $$$
This is one of the more affordable hotels in Miami Beach that boasts an oceanfront location with a white sand beach right in front of it. If you don’t want to stroll to the beach there’s also a pool and lush tropical gardens.
The pool area at the National Hotel
Leonardo
South Beach
Cardozo on the Beach
1300 Ocean Drive; tel: 800-782-6500; www.cardozohotel.com; $$$
This oceanfront Art Deco hotel may look familiar as it’s featured in several movies. It was built in 1939 in the heart of the historic district of South Beach, with 44 rooms and suites, which were recently remodeled prior to a 2017 re-opening.
Hotel Chelsea
944 Washington Avenue; tel: 305-534-4069; www.thehotelchelsea.com; $$
A hip hotel for the budget conscious, rooms here have stripped-down elegance, with futon-style beds. A DJ plays in the lobby on weekends; the front patio overlooks the avenue. There’s also a happy hour each night with complimentary drinks for guests.
Clay Hotel
1438 Washington Avenue; tel: 800-379-CLAY; www.clayhotel.com; $-$$
This very popular 135-room hotel offers budget accommodation right in the Art Deco district of South Beach. There’s a Mediterranean feel to the place, which has been here for over a century. Some rooms have balconies, and it’s a five-minute walk to Ocean Drive.
Clevelander South Beach Hotel and Bar
1020 Ocean Drive; tel: 305-532-4006; www.clevelander.com; $$$
If you want a lively hotel then the Clevelander is noted for its pool parties, with three bars located around the pool and patio area. There’s also a sports bar inside, and they have live music or DJs most nights of the week.
Hotel St Augustine
347 Washington Avenue; tel: 800-310-7717; www.hotelstaugustine.com; $$$$
This 24-room boutique hotel oozes European chic in an Art Deco building in SoFi (South of Fifth), less than a five-minute walk to Ocean Drive and the waterfront. All rooms are soundproofed, non-smoking and have free WiFi.
Hotel Victor
1144 Ocean Drive; tel: 305-779-8700; http://hotelvictorsouthbeach.com; $$$$
The Victor is one of Miami’s classic Art Deco hotels, but while the building is historic the vibe is definitely cool and modern. The rooms have wooden floors and iPod docks, there’s a pool and a spa, and for overseas visitors the bonus of free international phone calls.
A suite at the Bal Harbour Quarzo
Quarzo Hotel Bal Harbour
North Miami
Bal Harbor Quarzo
290 Bal Bay Drive, Bal Harbour; tel: 305-222-7922; www.quarzohotel.com/miami-luxury-hotels; $$$$
One of the best luxury hotels in Miami, the Bal Harbor Quarzo also boasts a great location overlooking the intracoastal waterway. The rooms and suites have are exquisite, and you can book in-room or garden massages. There’s an outdoor pool too.
Daddy O Hotel
9660 E. Bay Harbor Drive; tel: 305-868-4141; www.daddyohotel.com/miami; $$−$$$
This chic waterfront boutique hotel in Bay Harbor Islands features in-room iPod docks and flat-screen TVs, as well as designer furniture. There’s a business center, passes to the nearby LA Fitness gym, and room service from the adjoining Palm Restaurant.
Wynwood
Midtown Inn Miami
3400 Biscayne Blvd; tel: 305-573-7700; www.midtowninnmiami.com; $$
Accommodation is limited in Wynwood but the nearby Midtown Inn is an affordable option. The 36 rooms are simple but clean, and there’s an outdoor pool. There’s no restaurant but numerous eating options are within a few minutes’ walk.
Downtown Miami
Hotel Inter-Continental
100 Chopin Plaza; tel: 800-327-3005; www.icmiamihotel.com; $$$$
This soaring, high-rise hotel has 639 rooms, several gourmet restaurants, a rooftop pool with views over the city and Biscayne Bay, access to a 24-hour fitness center, and a jogging track, all in the center of Downtown Miami.
Hyatt Regency Miami
400 SE 2nd Avenue: tel: 305-358-1234; https://miami.regency.hyatt.com; $$$
The Hyatt has 615 non-smoking rooms and suites, some with views over the bay or the Miami River. It has an outdoor pool and a 24-hour gym, while dining options include the Riverwalk Café, Riverwalk Deli, and the Pure Verde Lounge serving Miami/Latin food and drinks.
Kimpton EPIC Hotel
270 Biscayne Blvd Way; tel: 305-424-5226; www.epichotel.com; $$$$
This modern 4-star hotel has a spa and two pools, and there’s a complimentary wine hour daily from 5−6pm. There are also fantastic views from the Area 31 restaurant on the 16th floor.
Leamington Hotel
307 North East 1st Street; tel: 305-373-7783; www.leamingtonhotel.com; $$
The Leamington offers good value-for-money for a Downtown hotel. The 82 rooms are basic but comfortable, all with en-suite facilities, and there’s a complimentary breakfast. It also offers a limited number of free airport shuttles during the day.
JW Marriott Marquis Miami
255 Biscayne Blvd Way; tel: 305-421-8600; www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/miamj-jw-marriott-marquis-miami; $$$−$$$$
The Marriott offers 5-star luxury in Downtown Miami, with 313 rooms and suites, some with views out over the water. It has a spa and fitness center (offering free classes), and the Db Bistro Moderne is a highly-acclaimed restaurant.
Miami Sun Hotel
226 NE 1st Avenue; tel: 305-375-0786; www.themiamisunhotel.com; $$
The Miami Sun has been providing budget accommodation here since the 1920s. Rooms are simple but clean, and there’s a complimentary breakfast and free WiFi. It’s a seven-minute walk to the Bayside Marketplace.
The Mandarin Oriental enjoys a glorious setting
Mandarin Oriental
The Bay
Mandarin Oriental Miami
500 Brickell Key Drive; tel: 305-913-8288; www.mandarinoriental.com/miami; $$$$
On the southern tip of Brickell Key, overlooking Brickell Key Park and the bay, the 5-star Mandarin Oriental has rooms and suites with amazing views. There’s also a spa, an infinity pool, and a choice of bars and gourmet restaurants.
Brickell
Aloft Miami − Brickell
1001 SW 2nd Avenue; tel: 305-854-6300; www.aloftmiamibrickell.com; $$−$$$
Aloft is a very design-conscious hotel whose amenities include the W XYZ Bar, a fashionable meeting place which offers live music and DJs, seasonal cocktails, wine, beer, and a snacks menu. There’s also a gym and pool.
Fortune House Hotel
185 Southeast 14th Terrace #102; tel: 305-349-5200; www.fortunehousehotel.com; $$$$
This modern hotel is a short stroll from the waterfront. Its range of rooms and suites have either water or city views, and are equipped with kitchens, washers, and dryers for longer-stay guests. Some rooms are available at cheaper rates.
SLS Brickell
1300 S Miami Avenue; tel: 305-239-1300; http://slshotels.com/brickell; $$$$
The Brickell outpost of the intimate and artsy SLS chain of hotels is designed by Philippe Starck and has a rooftop pool deck and a spa. It has two restaurants, one run by a James Beard Award-winning chef, and 124 rooms and suites.
Hotel Urbano
2500 Brickell Avenue, tel: 305-854-2070; www.hotelurbanomiami.com; $$$
Located right by the causeway that links Virginia Key to the mainland, the Urbano boasts a sophisticated décor where the walls are covered with works by local artists. There’s an outdoor pool with a fire pit, a fitness center and a lounge bar serving complimentary breakfast.
Virginia Key and Key Biscayne
The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne
455 Grand Bay Drive, Key Biscayne; tel: 305-365-4500; www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/miami/key-biscayne; $$$$
This resort hotel offers all the quality you would expect from the Ritz-Carlton name, with access to miles of beaches, and amenities including separate children and adult pools, a spa, a fitness center, tennis courts, and a range of eating options including oceanfront dining.
The pool at the Sonesta Coconut Grove
Leonardo
Coconut Grove
Mayfair Hotel and Spa
3000 Florida Avenue; tel: 305-441-0000; www.mayfairhotelandspa.com; $$$
The Mayfair is a stylish 4-star hotel only a five-minute walk from Coconut Grove’s waterfront parks and is an intriguing mix of Art Deco, art nouveau and Caribbean-style décor. It has 179 suites with private balconies, and most suites also have their own hot tubs.
The Mutiny Hotel
2951 South Bayshore Drive; tel: 305-441-2100; www.providentresorts.com/mutiny-hotel; $$$
Overlooking Bayside Park and a couple of minutes’ stroll to Biscayne Bay, this all-suites hotel has a stylish modern design, its own restaurant, a pool, spa, fitness center, sauna and steam room. It’s also only a five-minute walk from the CocoWalk shopping and entertainment center.
Residence Inn by Marriott Miami Coconut Grove
2835 Tigertail Avenue; tel: 305-285-9303; www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/miaco-residence-inn-miami-coconut-grove; $$$
Only a five-minute walk from Bayside, this all-suites hotel has two outdoor pools, a fitness center, and a complimentary breakfast. The suites all have kitchens, making it ideal if you want to self-cater.
The Caribbean-style Hawk’s Cay Resort
Leonardo
Sonesta Coconut Grove
2889 McFarlane Road; tel: 305-529-2828; www.sonesta.com/us/florida/miami/sonesta-coconut-grove-miami; $$$
The Sonesta is close to Biscayne Bay and its pool and lounge offer great ocean views. It also has a restaurant serving Latin American cuisine, a fitness center, business center, and even two squash courts on the 8th floor. Ask for a Bay View room.
Florida Keys
Cypress House
601 Caroline Street, Key West; tel: 800-525-2488; www.historickeywestinns.com/the-inns/cypress-house/; $$$–$$$$
This elegant but unpretentious 1895 adults-only B&B is a fine example of Bahamian architecture. Rooms in the inn and in two nearby historic buildings are well appointed, with TVs and air conditioning; two on the first floor share a bath. The continental breakfast buffet is plentiful and afternoon cocktails are served by the secluded pool.
Dove Creek Lodge
147 Seaside Avenue (MM 94.5), Key Largo; tel: 305-852-6200; www.dovecreeklodge.com; $$$$
The emphasis at this refined waterfront lodge is on service. Rooms are large, with balconies, DVD players, large-screen TVs, and Internet. Staff can arrange a variety of activities, including deep-sea fishing.
Hawk’s Cay Resort
61 Hawks Cay Boulevard, Duck Key; tel: 800-395-5539; www.hawkscay.com; $$$
This is a rambling Caribbean-style resort that pampers guests, with 176 rooms, swimming pool, tennis courts, restaurants, bars, boat rental, and scuba lessons. Duck Key is about halfway between Key Largo and Key West, so a perfect stopping point to break the journey.
Island City House Hotel
411 William Street, Key West; tel: 800-634-8230; www.islandcityhouse.com; $$$
Off the main strip, the Island City House Hotel has a tropical garden with 24 suites, most with kitchens and whirlpool tubs. There is a swimming pool, too.
Jules Undersea Lodge
51 Shoreland Drive (MM 103.2), Key Largo; tel: 305-451-2353; www.jul.com; $$$
Experience underwater living in this extraordinary subaquatic hotel, billed as the world’s only underwater hotel. It’s located right in the lagoon of the Key Largo Undersea Park, and you can combine your stay with a scuba diving course.