Miami, South Beach, and Ft. Lauderdale are destinations in south Florida that many U.S. travelers love to visit. When vacationers or businesspeople have reason to visit the sunshine state, our list of the top five best hotels in Miami are worth checking out when planning your stay. Whether you are seeking luxury or location, we turned to our sources to find out which hotels are rated highest when it comes to comfort, amenities and overall experience.
A recent study shows that Florida has a significant portion of part-time state residents out of their over 22 million people that reside there. That’s about 37 percent more than the 16 million who resided in the state in 2000. And demographers project that the population will continue increasing, to about 25 million within the next decade. But many Florida residents spend only the winter months there, returning when the climate warms up back home… these annual short-term residents – called snowbirds – will not forgo their annual voyage.
Americans are on the move, and even more are thinking about a change of scenery in the near future. A new poll has found that one in four people have moved in the last five years, and the most popular destination is sunny Florida, which makes sense as it’s chock-full of white sandy beaches and endless sunshine. Florida tops the list of states Americans are moving to and is the third-most popular state Americans want to move to in the future.
Whether you are planning a business trip, vacation, or a scouting voyage to find out if you’d like to move there; our list of top five best hotels in Miami could be a useful tool to make your planning more efficient. Let us know your favorite sunny stays in the comments below!
The List: Best Hotels in Miami, According to Travel Experts
1. Faena Hotel Miami Beach
Luxury accommodations, dining, and spectacular art await at the magical Faena Hotel. “There’s a bit of an Alice in Wonderland vibe to the Faena, and it carries through into the rooms—particularly with the smaller accents and pieces of furniture you’ll find yourself ‘discovering’ as your stay progresses. Los Fuegos, Argentine super-chef Francis Mallmann’s open-fire asado, delivers on the food and drink front; and outside, the hotel makes the most of its 100,000 square feet of private white-sand beach. Also, if you find yourself asking, ‘Did I just see a golden woolly mammoth skeleton in a glass cage?’ the answer is yes—you can thank artist Damien Hirst for that one,” raves Condé Nast Traveler.
The stunning beauty and dedication to art are the hallmarks for a stay, “Faena tapped filmmaker Baz Luhrmann and his Academy Award-winning designer wife Catherine Martin as creative consultants on this luxury hotel overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The result is a theatrical fantasia in red, gold and tiger print, dusted with mind-bending contemporary art,” details The Telegraph.
Regarding the overall art direction of this property, “Classic Art Deco design motifs (found in the gold color palette, signature red accent pieces and colorful furniture) are present in every inch of the property, from the hotel’s 179 guest rooms to the perfectly styled pool with red and white candy-striped lounge chairs,” according to Forbes.
2. The Setai Miami Beach
The Setai Miami Beach is top-rated, “It’s hard not to feel like a VIP the second you waltz into the confines of the incredibly chic Setai. You can lounge all day like a celebrity at one of three temperature-controlled infinity pools, all hidden within lush tropical gardens. Asian-inspired design touches such as sculptures, palms and water pods throughout the property make for a zen vibe and incredibly relaxing stay,” as explained by Forbes.
Find your happy place – #TheSetaiMiamiBeach #poolside #TheSetaiExperience pic.twitter.com/Nmgw7uqWsA
— The Setai (@TheSetai) March 14, 2017
The Setai Hotel Group has two other luxurious locations at Tel Aviv and the Sea of Galilee, “Setai’s only U.S. property returned to the top of the list this year after impressing readers on all fronts. Jaya, the resort’s restaurant in its picturesque courtyard, hosts flashy dinner shows and is a celebrity hot spot; there are three temperature-controlled infinity pools; and the beachfront Ocean Grill serves some of the best Maine-lobster spaghetti in the city,” reads a glowing review from Travel + Leisure.
It could even be possible to run into celebrity guests as well, “Jay-Z, Beyoncé, and Madonna are all fans of The Setai—and it’s no wonder: It’s hard not to feel a wave of relaxation wash over you as you walk through The Setai’s two-story, zen-inspired lobby, which uses elements like black granite floors and French limestone to create an environment that is at once quite sleek and modern, but somehow also timeless,” writes Condé Nast Traveler.
3. Acqualina Resort & Residences
In a list of fabulously elegant hotel properties, Acqualina stands out. “If it’s luxury you’re after, swipe your card at Acqualina. The Mediterranean-inspired Sunny Isles highrise feels like a villa on the Cote D’Azur was transported a couple dozen stories over the Atlantic Ocean. The oversized rooms (the smallest start at 750 square feet) emanate European elegance, and the ocean views somehow feel more exclusive than they do at sand level,” describes Thrillist.
With great pleasure, we announce that Acqualina Resort has been named the No. 1 Beachfront Hotel in the U.S. by @Tripadvisor. Acqualina was also ranked the No. 2 Luxury Hotel in the U.S. and No. 5 Hotel in the U.S. Thank you to our team members and guests.#miami #TRAVEL pic.twitter.com/rxmfZUNa7L
— Acqualina Resort & Residences (@AcqualinaResort) May 24, 2023
Known for an amazing beachfront view, one source claims, “Acqualina makes the most of one of the best unobstructed beach views in Miami. The star of the property is its beachfront ‘living room,’ lined with bright red loungers and couches, as well as separate pools and spaces that cater to families and adults,” according to the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Privacy in the bustling urban Miami metro is a major selling point: “Looking for all of the beauty and beach without any of the crowds? At Acqualina, you’ll have all that and much, much more. It’s true: You’ll be a half-hour car ride from the energy of Miami Beach, but what you get in return is worth it,” opines Condé Nast Traveler.
4. Four Seasons Hotel at the Surf Club
A classic hotel with instant name recognition, Four Seasons at the Surf Club is a Miami storied hotel. “From the moment it first opened its doors on New Year’s Eve 1930, The Surf Club in Miami has hosted history. When tire tycoon Harvey Firestone first had the idea of a new type of social club, on board his yacht the Marybelle, he could never have imagined how enduring the appeal would be of what he would soon create,” explains The Luxury Travel Expert.
The elegance of this hotel is further expanded on, “The architecture of Richard Meier and the interior design of Joseph Dirand unite to transform Surfside’s historic Surf Club into a work of sublime luxury for the Four Seasons group. Think minimalist oceanfront balconies with floating glass verandas, marble-decked rooms that are the definition of a jewel box, and an old Florida ballroom lovingly restored to create a ritzy champagne bar,” as written by Timeout.
Guests can expect modern luxury, “Today, the historic property’s hotel is managed by the Four Seasons, who act as a worthy steward to its grandeur: a rich landscape of coconut palms graces its nine acres of oceanfront, while the restored lobby maintains the same Mediterranean style, vaulted ceilings, and flora murals as the original,” describes Vogue.
5. The Ritz-Carlton South Beach
Other entries on this list all boast luxurious excellence, but only the Ritz-Carlton has a location in the heart of South Beach. “Inspired by its rich history and iconic building, The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach is the epitome of Miami glamour, welcoming travelers to one of the country’s most alluring cities. After a top-to-bottom renovation in 2020, the property ranks again among the best hotels in the Sunshine State,” according to The Luxury Travel Expert.
Good morning from the perfect oceanfront getaway at The @RitzCarlton #SouthBeach. We invite you to follow along today to explore our spacious layouts, private balconies with ocean views, and Club Level with lounge access. pic.twitter.com/8NNYx6nUqs
— The Ritz-Carlton (@RitzCarlton) May 11, 2023
The Ritz-Carlton South Beach offers rooms and suites at a moderately lower cost as compared to some of the other hotels on this list. “While the palatial art deco lobby and Lapidus Bar are eye-catching, the room design is more subtle, with white walls and linens accented by blue headboards and benches, gold bolsters and cane chairs and a table. Marble bathrooms feature double vanities, water closets plus tubs and separate showers stocked with Diptyque products,” explains The Points Guy.
This might be a great choice for some travelers looking for a taste of Miami luxury. “A classic oceanfront luxury hotel inside a historic property designed by iconic mid-century architect Morris Lapidus, in the heart of the Art Deco District. It features a lavish swimming pool, a modern spa and breezy restaurants,” claims The Telegraph.
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Sources
- Condé Nast Traveler
- Forbes
- Thrillist
- The Luxury Travel Expert
- The Points Guy
- TimeOut
- Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau
- Vogue
- The Telegraph
- Travel + Leisure
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations.