Surely 60 million people can’t be wrong? One of the biggest tourist magnets in the U.S., the Sunshine State has been a longtime favourite for lively holidays with friends and family, or romantic couples’ beach trips. The lure is not only the destination — Florida is choc-full with fabulous hotels. Accommodation options range from romantic hideaways in the Florida Keys and all singing all dancing beach resorts to family friendly hotels and swish skyscrapers in Miami, fit for a whole host of tastes and budgets. Our selection of the best places to stay in Florida really does have it all!

The state’s most famous city is undoubtedly glitzy Miami, where the party never stops. Base yourself here for beautiful beaches, a fascinating cultural blend, amazing food and architecture, and an epic party scene. Lively Palm Beach is also very chic, and has some stunning hotels in Art Deco buildings.

For fun-filled family holidays, look to Tampa, on the Golf of Mexico, or Orlando. One of the world’s foremost amusement park destinations, Orlando is home to Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld Orlando — the kids will love it!

The Florida coastline is bursting with buzzy beach destinations: Fort Lauderdale, Delray Beach, Boca Grande, the Treasure Coast and more. St Augustine is unusual in that it is the site of the oldest continuously-occupied European settlement in the country. It’ll be a sure-fire hit with history buffs (as will Amelia Island, a charming destination up near the border with Georgia).

Beyond Florida's cities, you'll find a nature watcher’s paradise. Alligators, herons, manatees and sea turtles, osprey and eagles, dolphins and tarpon all dwell in the state's wetlands and swamps. Boat tours of the Everglades are very special for bird spotters and wildlife enthusiasts. For a more laid-back beach break, venture south to the string of islands which make up the Florida Keys. Key West, Islamorada and Key Largo are some of our top picks for tranquil honeymoons or more active family trips.

Hugely diverse and very exciting, the Sunshine State is endlessly entertaining. We've highlighted some of the best places to stay in Florida to get you started!

The Best Places to Stay in Florida

For Miami

• The Langford is 1920s style in spades. Set in a striking Beaux Arts building, this is a romantic pick for well-heeled travellers eager to stay in downtown Miami. The hip rooftop bar serves fabulous cocktails with a view. For design lovers.
• The Goodtime Hotel throws epic pool parties, making it a perfect pick for a group trip to Miami with friends. The decor is pretty and playful, and the vibe very sociable. The name says it all!
• The Biltmore is a classic Miami family favourite, with golf and tennis camps, as well as a culinary academy to hone budding young talents. There are tennis courts, yoga, the largest swimming pool in the continental USA, a spa and an 18-hole golf course on site. For guests of all ages.
• Palihouse Miami Beach sits just a few minutes from the ocean, in a restored Art Deco building in Miami Beach. Spacious rooms have a glamorous, vintage vibe, with tiled floors, antique rugs and electic soft furnishings. There's a swimming pool & bicycle hire, too. The perfect couples' bolthole for a beachy holiday.

For Palm Beach

• The Colony is a Palm Beach icon, with chic, vintage-inspired rooms and suites behind a pretty pink façade. Expect wonderfully whimsical designs with light pinks and lovely greens, funky flamingo murals, delectable food and drink, and a gorgeous pool set in leafy gardens. A fashionable boutique favourite.
• Four Seasons Palm Beach offers a spectacular resort experience, with spacious, sea-facing rooms and suites featuring powder-pink or light blue accents, as well as a whole array of world-class facilities for guests of all ages. Expect a superb kids club, multiple oceanview pools, an excellent spa, gourmet bars and eateries, and fantastic water sports options. Absolute luxury.
• The Breakers is a historic Palm Beach resort with more than 500 beautiful rooms and suites, some of which have ocean views or flexible family options. With ten eateries, four swimming pools, a kids club, golf courses, tennis courts and a spa, the possibilities for families, couples or groups are endless.
• White Elephant offers cool, contemporary rooms showcasing natural materials and a pared-back palette. Set close to the seaside in Palm Beach, the property boasts an appealing pool, scrumptious seafood and terrific cocktails. Families will adore the flexible rooms, board games and ice cream cart. Modern and trendy.

For Orlando

• JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Resort & Spa is a grand property with six restaurants, four bars, two swimming pools and easy access to the theme parks. Watch Disney's fireworks from the hotel rooftop! Well-equipped for guests of all ages.
• The Ritz Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes promises an extravagant array of options, with 12 restaurants, a 40,000 sq.ft spa and a golf course designed by Greg Norman. Set across vast parkland, this is an exquisite resort choice for couples or families.
• Waldorf Astoria Orlando is a luxurious, family-friendly resort located within the Disney complex. Interiors are elegant, there are top-notch dinig options, swimming pools, an indulgent spa and a Rees Jones-designed 18-hole golf course. A fabulous choice.

For Tampa

• Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay is a big, bold property with enviable views over the water, and myriad activities for families or couples. Spend your days kayaking, paddle boarding or cycling, and float around one of the hotel pools before treating yourself to a delicious dinner and drinks. Right on the water, and great for guests of all ages.
• Le Meridien, once an imposing classical courthouse, has been reimagined as a sleek hotel, fusing opulent marble interiors with slick, modern style. Unwind by the pool and hit the gym or savour a sundowner before heading out to explore downtown Tampa. Brilliantly-located heritage cool.

For Historic St Augustine

• The Collector Inn has 30 rooms and suites — some with kitchenettes — in carefully restored buildings set within one acre of grounds. The property also boasts a heated swimming pool, lawn games, bicycles, historic tours and fabulous mixology classes. An adults-only pick for an artsy, romantic escape. The bar is top-notch and the gardens are gorgeous.
• Bayfront Marin House is a romantic waterfront hotel with beach cottages and suites overlooking Matanzas Bay. Spaces feel grand and indulgent, with antique furnishings, whirring wooden fans and swish bathrooms. Cottages can also be self-catering. A coastal favourite with a great happy hour.
• 44 Spanish Street Inn is an owner-run B&B in a central Historic District location. The pretty, 1920-built façade hides comfortable rooms and a sunny garden courtyard. Deservedly popular with couples.

For the Florida Keys

• Coconut Palm Inn is a beautiful beachfront hideaway at the southern tip of Key Largo, with 19 opulently-decorated rooms and suites. Pick this place for its secluded, small hotel feel, as well as the wealth of acitivites on offer for the whole family. Try paddle boarding, fishing, beach games and cycling, before rounding off the day with a big beach barbecue! Great for guests of all ages.
• The Gardens Hotel is a romantic old-school spot, with twenty bedrooms set amidst lush gardens. Smart, grown-up rooms feature big beds and antique furnishings, whilst there are cocktails to savour by the outdoor pool, and live jazz events in the gardens. A charming adults-only hotel, well-placed for exploring downtown Key West.
• Cheeca Lodge offers gorgeous seaside holidays in Islamorada, with impressive facilities including 27 acres of grounds, six tennis courts, a nine-hole golf course, and everything from kayaking to sailing. Highlights include an environmental programme for kids and a soothing spa for adults looking for rejuventating, restorative treatments. Indulgent luxury for all ages.
• The Perry Hotel Key West is a seriously cool boathouse-style hotel, showcasing natural materials — wood, steel and concrete — to create airy open spaces and a chic, industrial vibe. Set on Stock Island, the property is a watersports haven, with spectacular views from generously-proportioned minimalist rooms and suites. The superb seafood tops it all off! Retro fun for grown-ups or families.
• The Moorings Village & Spa offers a collection of 18 private cottages on a verdant former coconut plantation in Islamorada. Classically-decorated villas include well-equipped kitchens, sitting rooms with flat-screen tvs and beautiful spaces for couples or groups to unwind. One for those in search of a little extra privacy.
• The Mermaid and the Alligator is an intimate choice in Key West, filled with quirky design touches and a bold tropical vibe. Expect leafy patterns and prints, cosy four-poster beds, and a pretty poolside area for sunny breakfasts or candlelit evening drinks. Funky, romantic and characterful.
• The Conch House offers ten elegant bedrooms in a beautiful conch-style house with wooden verandahs and green-painted shutters. The vibe is classic and coastal, with pops of tropical colour in the bedrooms and an inviting pool surrounded by lush palm trees. Close to the Key West Historic Seaport, this is a lovely base for scenic strolls and beach days.

For a Private Island Escape

• Fisher Island Club & Hotel was once the private winter estate of the William K. Vanderbilt II family, sitting in seclusion on its own private island close to Miami. This intimate and unusual hotel is made up of luxurious suites, villas and cottages tucked within landscaped gardens, with a swimming pool, private beach, exquisite spa and wonderful nine-hole golf course. Epic.

FOR AN APARTMENT OR VILLA

• If you'd prefer a self-catering option, we suggest that you visit our online partner Booking.com.

TRAVEL INFORMATION

• Fly into Miami International Airport, Tampa International Airport, Orlando International Airport or one of the state's many regional hubs before travelling to your destination by bus or taxi. Alternatively, catch the train from elsewhere in Florida or beyond.
• Florida is great for a road trip! Contact our online partner Rentalcars if you would like to hire a car.
• Travel between December and mid-April for the best weather — though this is also peak season! To avoid the crowds and make the most of hotel offers, time your trip for May or June, before the really hot weather sets in. Florida's hurricane season typically runs from late June until November.

STILL NOT SURE?

• Explore our list of all the best places to stay in Tampa.
• Alternatively, expand your search to see our pick of the best places to stay in Georgia.
• Or contact one of our friendly Gurus for advice.