How to choose your perfect Miami hotel

In the mood for Miami? Good choice — it’s a beach and city break rolled into one. Pick your hotel to suit the side of the city you want to experience.

Miami is a multi-faceted place. While the party atmosphere of South Beach might garner the most attention, the truth is that there are elegant, calm, wellness-focused and family-orientated sides to Miami which can make it an appealing option for a wide variety of travellers. Whether you’re considering Miami for a standalone city break, pairing Miami with New York, or stopping by on a Florida road trip, when you’re choosing your Miami base, take a little time to consider the different hotels available to make sure you experience the version of Miami that suits you best. 

For the nightlife…

Dream Miami South Beach is known for its youthful energy and brings dynamism to the epicentre of South Beach — Miami’s prime party zone. Ensconced in a classic Art Deco building, mere steps from the beach and next to the former Versace house, Dream is a collision of the Miami of yesteryear and the city of the here and now. Its moodily lit Mexican restaurant, Naked Taco, is a South Beach hot spot with selections from the menu also available at Highbar, the hotel’s glamourous 70s-inspired rooftop bar — both serve as the perfect pre-party venues before a night out on South Beach.

If you want to keep the party going, how about pairing Miami with Las Vegas?

For local appeal…

If you’re keen to get to know what Miami is like away from the tourist hub of South Beach, plump for Coconut Grove, one of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods. It’s a sailing centre with oodles of artsy charms and a more laid-back feel than elsewhere in the city. The nautical appeal of the area extends into Mr C. Coconut Grove with its porthole-inspired windows and soothing blue-and-white décor. You still tap into the irresistible glamour that Miami is notorious for but with a calmer atmosphere conducive to a relaxing beach-meets-city break. 

If you love the laid-back vibes of Coconut Grove, the Florida Keys will likely win you over too. Why not turn your Miami city break into a Key West Road Trip?

For relaxation…

Further up the Miami coastline is Sunny Isles Beach, where Solé Miami, a Noble House Resort soars above the white sands, with an oceanfront pool and oceanview restaurant. it’s quieter than South Beach if you prefer a chilled-out scene and it has a stretch of private beach just for guests. In nearby Bal Harbour, a lavish part of Miami, you’ll find high-end shopping  (with the likes of Balenciaga, Chanel, and Van Cleef & Arpels) and celebrity-frequented restaurants.

For Art Deco splendour…

Exploring Art Deco Miami through its golden era of the 1920s and 1930s is a must-do activity, and taking a guided tour of the Art Deco neighbourhood located around Ocean Drive will provide you with an excellent opportunity to discover the best examples of this architectural style. Hotels have taken up residence in some historic buildings, including the Lennox Miami Beach. Original signage remains on the archetypal curve of the 1936 entrance, yet inside, the interior is fresh and contemporary.

Stick with the Art Deco theme and fly three hours north to the Big Apple to check into The New Yorker, an instantly recognisable 1920s hotel. 

For wellness…

The Standard Spa is an adults-only retreat with detox credentials on Belle Isle, one of the city’s Venetian Islands in Biscayne Bay. It might appear to be the antithesis of pure Miami, but it cleverly blends the best of both worlds — libations are by no means off-limits. The hydrotherapy circuit is the hotel’s headline act, with a hammam, aroma steam room, hemlock sauna, ice room, and more, plus a roster of classes you expect (yoga, Pilates, and tai chi) and those you might not (vibration activation and sound healing). After inwardly focussed days, head to Lido Bayside for Golden Hour with frosé and a sea view beneath festoon lights.

For fun-seeking families…

Miami is replete with things to do and a bonafide family haven. Fontainebleau is a vast resort and a firm family favourite, despite having the ultra-exclusive Miami hotspot LIV under its roof and hosting adults-only pool parties. Set away from the revelries, there’s a fantastic family pool with gradual entry, spray canopies, a water slide, and plenty of dining venues to satisfy everyone’s whims. If you don’t want to holiday alongside partygoers, head a little further north up the Atlantic coast, opting for Solé Miami, a Noble House Resort in Sunny Isles Beach, or check into Mr C. Coconut Grove, where kids are made to feel right at home with homemade cookies and Mr. C teddies. 

Craving more family fun? Combine your Miami break with a spin around Orlando’s theme parks on our Classic Florida Family Road Trip.

For stellar sustainability credentials…

If you're looking for an uber-stylish resort with a palm-dotted rooftop pool and fabulous beach cabanas, consider 1 Hotel South Beach. This eco-conscious hotel has a farm-to-table dining concept, leans on clean energy to power its systems, and celebrates locally sourced and repurposed materials in its design. You can even leave behind some overpacked clothes (because if you don’t wear that outrageous shirt in Miami, when will you wear it?) to donate to the hotel’s charity partner.

Can’t get enough of 1 Hotels? Consider taking on Miami & New York in Style and staying at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, too.

For vintage glamour…

Miami has its fair share of cutting-edge, resort-style hotels — its beachside locale makes it perfect for holiday vibes. But it also has boutique and elegant outposts when you’re looking for something more under the radar. The Betsy is an excellent example. Stylish and sophisticated yet relaxed and welcoming, expect airy, residential-style rooms, an exceptional steak restaurant, and a rooftop pool (minus the parties other hotels are known for). Instead, find a seat to listen to live jazz in the lobby or perhaps a poetry reading before taking a stroll around the permanent art exhibition.

This feature was published on 17th August 2023. The information within this feature is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of print. Feature by Anna Hann.