The Betsy — South Beach
Restored 1940s Colonial on Ocean Drive with two pools and one of SoBe's best rooftops.
South Beach · Boutique
Where to stay
Best Hotels in Miami: 15 Handpicked Stays by Neighbourhood
Miami is really six cities on one sandbar. The right hotel depends less on stars and more on which Miami you're here for — beach club, design district, downtown skyline or family resort. Below is our editors' shortlist across the neighbourhoods that matter, with live rates and honest reviews through our licensed booking partner.
Which Miami neighbourhood is right for you
South Beach (Ocean Drive, Collins, Washington): the Art Deco strip, walk-everywhere restaurants and nightlife, best if you want to leave the car parked. Rooms in restored 1930s hotels are small — pay up for the ocean side.
Mid-Beach (44th-63rd): the resort corridor — Faena, Edition, Fontainebleau, Nobu. Bigger rooms, better pools, a taxi ride to SoBe nightlife.
Brickell & Downtown: modern skyline, Michelin restaurants, rooftop bars. Best for city travellers and business trips; the beach is a 15-20 minute drive.
Wynwood & Design District: mural-covered warehouses, indie boutiques, gallery hopping. Best for a repeat visitor who wants creative Miami over beach Miami.
Coconut Grove & Coral Gables: leafy, marina-side, upscale-quiet. Best for families and travellers who want a hotel that feels like a proper resort.
How much Miami hotels cost
Budget Art Deco boutique in SoBe: $180-$280 per night (low season) / $320-$450 (high season).
Mid-range design hotel in Wynwood or Brickell: $260-$420 / $450-$700.
Upper mid oceanfront (Kimpton, W, 1 Hotel): $450-$700 / $700-$1,200.
Luxury resort (Faena, Edition, Four Seasons Surf Club): $900-$1,800 / $1,500-$4,000+.
High season is Christmas week, Presidents' Day, spring break (March), Miami Grand Prix (May) and Art Basel (early December). Book September-early November for the biggest discounts and safe (mostly post-hurricane) weather.
What to book alongside your hotel
An Everglades airboat tour — half day from Miami, wildlife-heavy, always worth the trip.
A Little Havana walking + food tour — the fastest way to understand Cuban Miami.
A Wynwood mural walking tour with a local artist — the murals rotate; a guide makes the difference.
A pre-booked private transfer from MIA — €22-€40 fixed price, easier than the taxi rank after a long flight, especially with kids and luggage.
Our editors' hotel shortlist
Faena Hotel Miami Beach
Gold-leafed cinematic mid-beach resort with a private beach club and the Faena Theater.
Mid-Beach · Luxury
The Edition Miami Beach
Ian Schrager collaboration with an ice rink, bowling alley and one of the calmest pools in Mid-Beach.
Mid-Beach · Design
1 Hotel South Beach
Reclaimed-wood eco-luxury with four pools, the best gym in SoBe and rooms with living plant walls.
South Beach · Wellness
The Standard Spa Miami Beach
Adults-only bayside hydrotherapy hotel — quiet, healing, a short causeway from SoBe.
Belle Isle · Spa
Nautilus by Arlo
Restored Morris Lapidus MiMo landmark; big pool, big rooms, better value than the neighbours.
Mid-Beach · Boutique
EAST Miami
Brickell skyline tower with a 40th-floor Sugar rooftop bar and the best downtown pool deck.
Brickell · Modern
Kimpton EPIC Hotel
River-and-bay-view downtown tower, walk-to-Brickell dining, family-friendly suites.
Downtown · Family
Arlo Wynwood
The first hotel inside Wynwood — rooftop pool over the murals, a step from the galleries.
Wynwood · Design
The Goodtime Hotel
Pharrell + David Grutman collab in South Beach; adults-only pool, Strawberry Moon restaurant, party crowd.
South Beach · Party
The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove
Leafy marina calm 15 minutes from downtown — best for families and long stays.
Coconut Grove · Family
Mayfair House Hotel & Garden
Restored Coconut Grove landmark with palm-shaded rooftop pool and boutique feel.
Coconut Grove · Boutique
Four Seasons at The Surf Club
Restored 1930s Surfside icon; two Le Sirenuse restaurants, three pools, cinematic ocean rooms.
Surfside · Luxury
Fontainebleau Miami Beach
The classic 1954 curved tower, giant pool complex, LIV nightclub. Big-resort Miami at its most iconic.
Mid-Beach · Resort
The Setai, Miami Beach
Three-pool Asian-inflected serenity at the quiet end of SoBe; some of the best oceanfront rooms in Florida.
South Beach · Luxury
Check live hotel rates in Miami
Real availability and prices from our licensed booking partner. No hidden fees.
Frequently asked questions
Which Miami neighbourhood is best for a first visit?
South Beach — you can walk to the ocean, restaurants and nightlife, and Art Deco Ocean Drive is Miami's most iconic strip. If you want a bigger pool and calmer vibe, choose Mid-Beach and taxi to SoBe for dinner.
How much do Miami hotels cost per night?
Budget $180-$280 (low) / $320-$450 (high). Mid-range design $260-$420 / $450-$700. Upper mid oceanfront $450-$700 / $700-$1,200. Luxury $900-$1,800 / $1,500-$4,000+. High season runs Christmas through April.
When is the best time to visit Miami?
March-May and October-November are the sweet spot: warm, dry and cheaper than winter. December-February is peak season and priced accordingly. June-September is hot, humid and hurricane season — good rates but check the forecast.
How do I get from Miami Airport (MIA) to my hotel?
MIA is 15-25 minutes to South Beach and 10-15 to Brickell. A metered taxi is $30-$45, a rideshare $25-$45 (surge pricing common), and a pre-booked private transfer $28-$55 fixed — the easiest option after a long flight.
Do I need a car in Miami?
Not if you stay in South Beach or Brickell — walk and taxi. Rent a car for the Everglades, Keys road trip or if you're staying in Coconut Grove or Coral Gables. Hotel parking runs $45-$65 per night on the beach.
Is Miami safe?
The tourist neighbourhoods (South Beach, Mid-Beach, Brickell, Wynwood, Design District, Coconut Grove) are safe day and night. Standard precautions on Ocean Drive after 2am and around Downtown at night. Do not leave valuables visible in rental cars.
Is Miami good for families?
Very. Choose Mid-Beach resorts (Fontainebleau, Loews, Eden Roc) or Coconut Grove (Ritz-Carlton, Mr C) for kids' pools and quieter beaches. Skip Ocean Drive with young children — it's loud and adult-oriented at night.
Related guides
Best Hotels in Orlando: 15 Handpicked Stays for Every Trip
Best hotels in Orlando for families and couples — Walt Disney World, Universal, International Drive and Lake Buena Vista resorts with live rates.
20 Best Things to Do in Los Angeles: A Local's Guide
The definitive Los Angeles guide — Griffith Observatory, Getty, Santa Monica, Malibu, Hollywood, Downtown food halls, day trips and where to stay.
Best Hotels in Las Vegas: 15 Handpicked Strip & Off-Strip Stays
Best Las Vegas hotels by section of the Strip and vibe — luxury flagships, party resorts, family-friendly, adults-only and off-Strip boutique picks.
Best Hotels in Bali: Where to Stay by Region
Where to stay in Bali — the best hotels and resorts across Seminyak, Ubud, Uluwatu, Canggu and Nusa Dua. Live rates, honest picks, seasonal tips.