Top 10 best luxury hotels & resorts in Miami

Monday newsletters always feature top 10 travel lists to inspire.

Today: Top 10 best luxury hotels & resorts in Miami

While many people visit Miami for its spectacular beaches and world-renowned nightlife, you’ll find that this beautiful destination is home to all of this plus a range of other exciting activities. For example, if you want to immerse yourself in the cultural side of Florida’s coolest cosmopolitan city, don’t hesitate to explore its art galleries, wander past its mind-blowing street art, or get a glimpse of local Art Deco architecture in South Beach’s Art Deco District. You can also check out attractions such as the Miami Zoo, the Miami Seaquarium, and the Philip and Patricia Frost Musem of Science. Miami is also a great base to experience South Florida’s great wilderness with a variety of hikes, scenic drives and guided tours available in Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve. Here’s my selection of the 10 best luxury hotels & beach resorts in the greater Miami area.

What is your favorite hotel in Miami? Leave a comment.

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10. SLS SOUTH BEACH

Designed by creative icon Philippe Starck, SLS South Beach imparts a “dream world” theme, blending Latin, Asian, contemporary, and art deco influences with captivating precision. The 140 exquisitely designed guest rooms and villas are pure romance, with trompe l’oeil French paneling and playful chandeliers. Highlights include the Tower Penthouse and Villa Penthouse designed by Kravitz Design as well as dining at the extraordinary Bazaar restaurant, with James Beard Award-winning chef José Andrés at the helm, or at Katsuya, where traditional Japanese cuisine is infused with a provocative twist. It’s a day-to-night party at Hyde Beach, a sophisticated hybrid of swimming pools, cabanas, beach, and indoor/outdoor spaces.

Hotel website: SLS South Beach
Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast for two, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD resort credit).

9. THE RITZ-CARLTON, 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. The luxury hotel experience includes a classic cocktail lounge that celebrates the intriguing stories of the city’s past, an elevated pool overlooking the Atlantic and a full-service spa that serves as a retreat for rejuvenation amid the excitement of Miami. Located on the intersection of Collins Avenue and Lincoln Road, the hotel is within walking distance to the shopping and dining of Lincoln Road, the Art Deco Historic District and the luxurious South of 5th neighborhood.

Hotel website: The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach
Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast for two, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD resort credit).

8. THE MIAMI BEACH EDITION

The Miami Beach EDITION is a luxury beachfront urban retreat in a 3.5-acre private enclave. This modern resort offers 294 spacious and sophisticated accommodations, including bilevel suites with a private plunge pool or a sauna; two large pools; and intimate cabanas. Other facilities include a bowling alley, ice-skating rink, trendy nightclub, signature restaurants by Michelin-starred chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, and an excellent spa. The dedicated VIP team ensures an enchanting experience by fulfilling the needs and desires of the discerning traveler, with every thought given to enhancing a customized stay, whether for relaxation, vacation, or work.

Hotel website: The Miami Beach EDITION
Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast for two, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD resort credit).

7. NOBU HOTEL MIAMI BEACH

Nobu Hotel delivers the unique chemistry and perfect balance of luxury, fun, craft and theater. The setting merges Miami modern architecture with an intuitive interpretation of Chef Nobu’s signature style. The famed David Rockwell drew upon Japanese architecture and the hotel’s oceanfront location to evoke a contemporary Japanese beach house in a setting complete with Nobu private pool. The 206 beach-house inspired rooms feature cerused, live edge wood furniture and black & white photography of Japanese landscapes, creating a relaxing setting for rejuvenation. Facilities include a restaurant by the world-renowned hotel owner, Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, spa and gym.

Hotel website: Nobu Hotel Miami Beach
Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Classic Travel (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast for two, early check-in, late check-out, and $25 USD resort credit).

6. THE ST REGIS BAL HARBOUR RESORT

Rising 27 stories above the white sandy beaches of Miami and situated at the intersection of art, fashion and design, The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort offers an unrivaled experience worthy of its prestigious Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond ratings. The resort dazzles with lushly landscaped gardens and elegantly appointed guest rooms with floor-to-ceiling ocean views and expansive balconies. It covers nine acres, where you’ll find quiet, unwavering taste, and seductive amenities, including two pools, the renowned Remède Spa, a children’s program, butler service, and gourmet cuisine at three distinct restaurants, one of which is Atlantikós, inspired by the Greek isles. This exclusive enclave is across from the celebrated Bal Harbour shops and minutes from South Beach.

Hotel website: The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort
Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast for two, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD spa credit).

5. 1 HOTEL SOUTH BEACH

1 Hotel South Beach is a sustainable luxury hotel inspired by beachfront living and is designed for comfort using reclaimed materials. Look for living green walls and a lobby farm stand inside the lobby, a stylish nod to nature. Salvaged driftwood and glass terrariums bring the outside into its 425 rooms, while local Florida food can be found at Plnthouse and Habitat. Unwind in the spa, on 600 feet (180 m) of prime sand, or at the magnificent rooftop pool area, South Beach’s largest. Reset body and mind through Mind & Movement wellness offerings, including challenging fitness classes, or grab a complimentary bicycle to ride along the promenade, then visit town in the complimentary house car.

Hotel website: 1 Hotel South Beach
Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast for two, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD spa credit).

4. THE SETAI, MIAMI BEACH

The Setai, Miami Beach masterfully combines the warmth of Asian hospitality with the best in personalized service and truly rarified comfort. The property is housed in a restored 1930 art deco landmark building and connecting 40-story glass residential tower. Featuring 87 Art Deco suites, 56 ocean suites, the resort boasts world-class amenities, including 3 temperature-controlled pools, beachfront services, exceptional dining experiences, Valmont for The Spa at The Setai, and a Clefs d’Or Concierge team. The hotel is a member of Leading Hotels of the World, and has been consecutively awarded the Forbes Travel Guide Five Star Award since 2015.

Hotel website: The Setai
Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast for two, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD spa credit).

3. ACQUALINA RESORT & RESIDENCES ON THE BEACH

Acqualina Resort & Residences On The Beach is an award-winning Forbes Five Star, AAA Five Diamond property situated on 400 feet (120 m) of pristine white sands. The resort’s unobstructed views create a unique, sea-level experience as the lush green gardens effortlessly succumb to the sand. Here, guests enjoy expansive amenities, including three oceanfront swimming pools; three restaurants, including Il Mulino New York; a tranquil spa; and a marine-biology-inspired kids’ program. The resort’s opulent room design is inspired by the surf and sand, along with the Atlantic Ocean and intracoastal views that captivate guests as they enter their accommodation.

Hotel website: Acqualina Resort & Residences On The Beach
Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast for two, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD spa credit).
Review: read my review of Acqualina Resort On The Beach here.

2. FAENA HOTEL MIAMI BEACH

While Faena Hotel Miami Beach is close to Miami’s many attractions, it’s possible you’ll never leave after experiencing its innovative ambience and entertainment. Central to Alan Faena’s visionary new beachfront neighborhood, the 179-room hotel offers art deco flair, two signature award-winning restaurants by celebrated chefs Paul Qui and Francis Mallmann, a private screening room, and a 150-seat theater offering a diverse lineup of live entertainment and original cabaret productions. The Tierra Santa spa provides ancient South American healing techniques and indigenous ingredients; the double-height hammam is especially impressive.

Hotel website: Faena Hotel Miami Beach
Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast for two, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD spa credit).

1. FOUR SEASONS HOTEL AT THE SURF CLUB

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. On this same 9-acre (3.6 hectare) stretch of oceanfront in Surfside, Florida, located in the northern beaches of Miami, Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club today comprises 77 guest rooms, a selection of hotel residences, Le Sirenuse Restaurant and Champagne Bar, three pools, a pristine beach, and Spa and Wellness Center. Pritzker-prize winning architect Richard Meier designed the three buildings that frame and flank the original clubhouse.

Hotel website: Four Seasons Hotel at the Surf Club
Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast for two, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD spa credit).