Best Hotels in South Beach

Miami’s South Beach is the lower portion of the Miami Beach area, the bit with the very best Art Deco architecture, the best beaches, the best shopping and the best scene after dark. So it’s an obvious pick if you're planning to visit the city. And when you see the range of hotels (from chic little boutiques to all-singing-all-dancing no-need-to-leave resorts) and room rates on our Gurus' list of the best hotels in South Beach you’ll probably never want to stay anywhere else!

For a Special Occasion

HEADLINE: The Villa Casa Casuarina used to be Versace’s home. Yes, it is possible for you to stay in the former home of one of the boldest designers of our time. This is an absolute treasure trove of handmade furniture, fabrics, tiling and details. The mosaic pool with its fountains and palm trees is especially fabulous. But all the details are. There are just ten unique rooms. Wow is an understatement.
The Plymouth was an Art Deco masterpiece of a hotel, but has been given a contemporary make over and now benefits from the best of both worlds — all the mod. cons. but with chic retro detailing. The pool is suitably glamorous, and so is the Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar.

For Beach Access

The Betsy is on Ocean Drive, just across the road from the beach, a grand, elegant white facade, concealing a beautiful hotel with Miami’s only open-air rooftop spa. The Betsy has 61 rooms and suites, featuring hardwood flooring, marble bathrooms, original art and fresh flowers. The pool is in a central internal courtyard, and the restaurant is a highly acclaimed steakhouse.
Surfcomber is another hotel with design and decor drawing from Miami’s Art Deco heyday, and the 186 rooms and suites have the feel of modern luxury — the suites are very well equipped, and the whole atmosphere is genuinely welcoming. The direct beach access means you can run between the ocean and the heated pool with its cocktail bar, sun loungers and cabanas. If you want to make the most of your holiday there’s a 24 hour gym and fitness centre, and if you want to relax there’s complimentary wine in the lounge bar every evening.

For Ocean Views

The Setai is also on Ocean Drive, right opposite the beach, and the rooms at the front of the hotel overlook the beautiful palm-lined pools, then the sand and ocean. There are 130 rooms and suites in all, decorated with elements of Asian design, and unfussy details. The spa and gym are impressive, and there are four restaurants and bars to choose from. This is a stylish, grown up choice.
The Nautilus is as cool as it sounds, a mid-century build with big windows to let in the sea views, marble floors and lots of natural light. There’s a heated outdoor pool lined with cabanas, and a gym, a spa and a fabulous restaurant known for its local produce and Mediterranean flavours.

For a Short Beach Break

1 Hotel South Beach is a big resort hotel in a prime spot, set just back from the palm trees, sand and ocean. The decor and design of 1 Hotel is inspired by nature, in a Scandi-minimalist way, featuring plenty of natural wood, neutral colours and lots of natural light. This is one of the best hotels in South Beach for families because of the excellent facilities, including a kids club, and there’s a choice of pools and restaurants, including one major award-winner. Catching a view from the rooftop bar and terraces is an essential part of any stay.
The Hotel Victor is a hip hotel with a friendly atmosphere centred around the hotel pool. The 91 rooms and suites are decorated with a neutral colour palette, cool details and industrial accents. But the main appeal is the huge windows and the ocean views though them. Other hotel perks include a Turkish hammam and a sushi restaurant. And you’re right next door to the Versace mansion hotel.

For a Resort Break

You might not think a full sized, full-facility beach resort could fit into Miami, but it can, and it’s the W South Beach. With direct beach access complete wth a beach club, a choice of lagoon pools, a choice of great restaurants, rooftop tennis, a sanctuary spa, and 345 rooms and suites, this really is a proper resort hotel.

For a Hip Stay

The Miami area is known for its historic architecture, and Urbanica The Meridien has been created from the conversion of a cool 1930s block in the trendy area South of Fifth — or the bottom part of the ‘island’ of Miami Beach. The hotel is trendy too, with 70 rooms and suites decorated in wood and white, with chic chevron patterned bathrooms. The hotel’s cocktail bar is popular with the locals too, which make this feel like a lively, friendly place to be. And it’s inexpensive too.

For Romance

The Gale South Beach is a return to the Art Deco days of Miami, with a nostalgic eye for details and really beautiful period features. The 87 rooms and suites feature lots of white, accented by black and white photography and shades of grey. The perennially sunny rooftop bar, pool and restaurant — or your private terrace — are the place to come for the best views And the cocktail club is very chic.

For Families

One of the best hotels in South Beach for families, the Mondrian South Beach is right on the water overlooking Biscayne Bay, which faces the rest of Miami, so the views of the city are fantastic — especially from the huge, tropical pool terrace, and the balconies of the rooms on this side of the hotel. Inside this is a cool hotel, its 205 rooms and suites fitted with custom designed furniture, much of it monochrome. There’s a chic spa and restaurant serving American cuisine, sushi and cocktails. The suites all have kitchenettes, and there’s a kids’ pool and sandpit.
The National is a brilliant, towering example of Miami’s Art Deco ocean-front area. Built in 1940 it was tall for its day, and it’s recently been refurbished to the original specifications, with some beautiful antique furnishings and chrome and dark wood accents. The atmospheric restaurant serves French cuisine beautifully. The original specifications gave this hotel Miami’s longest pool: over 200 feet long, and it’s still just as impressive. They also have a gym and spa now.

For Beach Fun

Dream Miami South Beach is designed for fun, the decor is colourful and eclectic, the location is perfect for the beach, for the shops, and the hottest restaurants, bars and clubs in South Beach. And the hotel has its own cool Mexican restaurant. Its also inexpensive and eco-friendly.

For Great Value

The Hotel of South Beach is another hotel our Gurus think really epitomises South Beach with its original, white Art Deco exterior and sympathetic interior designs. It has 53 rooms and suites, in a range of shapes and styles, but all feature the bold, custom designed prints that bring this hotel together. The views from the rooftop pool and bar are wonderful, and while there’s no restaurant there is a cafe. Perfect if you’re looking for somewhere cool and relaxed.
The Angler's is a cool place to stay; from its roof terrace pool and bar to its spa treatments, this hotel epitomises the buzz of South Beach. And to help you feel at home guests get VIP passes to a number of South Beach nightclubs. There are 85 rooms, suites and studios, arranged into a hotel high enough to see the ocean over the low-rise historic buildings on the front. The decor is heavy on natural wood and white and blue, and rooms have lots of natural night and plenty of space. The studios have private balconies.

Still not sure which to book?

You could browse our recommendations for all the best places to stay in Miami
or refine your search to our articles on the best beachfront hotels in Miami, famous Miami hotels, the best party hotels in Miami, or the best Art Deco hotels in Miami
You could expand your search to include ALL the best places to stay in Florida
Or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.

20 Best Hotels in South Beach

The Betsy Hotel

Miami (South Beach)

Hardwood floors, marble bathrooms, original art and fresh flowers create a low-key, refined aura for this beachside hotel. Miami's only open-air rooftop spa, a sheltered outdoor pool, and exclusive and highly-acclaimed BLT steakhouse make your stay memorable - just don't forget to explore Miami too!

Restaurant - BLT Steak, an American steakhosue which won Miami Steakhosue of the Year 2014
Outstanding location - Located directly on Ocean Drive in Miami's South Beach district
Swimming Pool - Secluded outdoor swimming pool, year-round.
On the beach - Direct beach access

from AU$346 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees

20 Best Hotels in South Beach

For a Special Occasion

For Beach Access

For Ocean Views

For a Short Beach Break

For a Resort Break

For a Hip Stay

For Romance

For Families

For Beach Fun

For Great Value

Still not sure which to book?

20 Best Hotels in South Beach

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