Miami always buzzes, but the excitement reaches a fever pitch with the arrival of Art Basel in December. As the city transforms into a global hub for art and culture, the demand for exceptional accommodations soars. Whether you’re an art aficionado, a seasoned collector or someone simply craving a vibrant Miami experience, Forbes Travel Guide has curated a list of South Florida’s best hotels to ensure your stay is as inspiring as the art itself.
You can trust Forbes Travel Guide’s exclusive list — we have been rating hotels since 1958 using an objective and independent process. To find the best hotels in Miami, our incognito inspectors posed as ordinary guests and stayed multiple nights at each property. The inspectors tested hundreds of exacting standards, with an emphasis on exceptional service, which accounts for 70% of a property’s rating. The remaining 30% comes from the quality and condition of the facilities. FTG does not require a business relationship from the properties it rates, and it does not earn a commission if you book one of the following hotels.
Five-Star Hotels
Acqualina Resort and Residences on the Beach
About equidistant from both Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Acqualina is a lovely beachside resort that radiates a distinct European feel with its Mediterranean villa décor and terraces where you can soak in the ocean or Intracoastal views. See more.
Faena Hotel Miami Beach
A standout along the sands since its debut, Faena Hotel Miami Beach continues to make a splash with its decadent décor, world-class restaurants and bars and an arts and events calendar that’s more robust than most galleries. See more.
Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club
Once the seaside holiday getaway for Hollywood legends in the 1930s, The Surf Club has regained the splendor of its glory days once it found a spot under Four Seasons’ glamorous beachfront umbrella. See more.
The Setai, Miami Beach
With its streamlined décor, The Setai, Miami Beach is an oasis of opulence in a sea of South Beach hotels. Instead of bright colors or bustling public spaces, The Setai, Miami Beach sticks to soothing, understated neutrals in the rooms and lobby, giving the property a residential feel. See more.
The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort
Offering some of the most impressive accommodations in northern Miami, The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort is furnished in a contemporary residential style with spacious terraces and oversized lounge chairs. Thanks to the hotel’s zigzag configuration, all rooms allow you to enjoy great ocean views as well. See more.
Four-Star Hotels
1 Hotel South Beach
1 Hotel South Beach was developed with the philosophy that those who travel the world also care about its well-being. The Miami hotel brings together innovative eco-conscious practices, elegant design and friendly service. See more.
Carillon Miami Wellness Resort
The bar for lavish lifestyle destinations is set incredibly high at Carillon. More than simply a place to stay, this upscale resort is the place to go for anyone looking to get away for relaxation and recreation in an elegant, modern yet comfortable beach setting. See more.
Four Seasons Hotel Miami
With a fresh, modern look, this Four-Star gem remains the definitive hub for Miami’s power crowd and business travelers, providing a tropical haven amid a bustling urban center with its grove of overwater hammocks. See more.
Mandarin Oriental, Miami
It wouldn’t be Miami without a little glitz and glam. Mandarin Oriental, Miami on Brickell Key not only delivers all of that, but it does so with a genuine smile. This may explain why the waterfront hotel is such a hit with celebrities. See more.
The Miami Beach EDITION
A sprawling three-and-a-half-acre private enclave on Miami Beach’s famed Collins Avenue, The Miami Beach EDITION is a unique oceanfront complex offering everything you could conjure up — dining, nightlife, ice skating, bowling, culture and even meeting space — all under one roof. See more.
The Ritz-Carlton Bal Harbour, Miami
Though it’s celebrating 15-plus years in one of South Florida’s most exclusive neighborhoods, The Ritz-Carlton Bal Harbour is still a popular address for travelers longing for spectacular views of the Atlantic — it’s nestled along the pristine sands of Miami Beach — and posh amenities, such as the lavish spa. See more.
The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, Miami
Soak in the sights of the Miami skyline, Biscayne Bay and Coral Gables from your private balcony at The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, Miami. Every one of the hotel’s 115 guest rooms and suites has one, along with floor-to-ceiling windows, spacious marble bathrooms and other posh amenities. See more.
The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami
Just outside downtown Miami on the southernmost barrier island in the United States, this 12-acre resort delivers the intimacy of a private island escape but with the convenient location of a city hotel. See more.
Trump National Doral Miami
Since its opening in 1962, Doral has been revered as a golf haven. Today, the luxury getaway (renamed Trump National Doral Miami in 2012) is a swank 800-acre suburban Miami destination that continues to cater to sports enthusiasts, vacationers, business travelers and locals alike. See more.
Recommended Hotels
The Biltmore
The Biltmore is one of the finest properties in South Florida for a host of reasons. Beyond the fact that service excels here, the hotel, which is Coral Gables’ oldest, is an impressive yet tranquil example of Old World elegance. See more.
Fontainebleau Miami Beach
Fontainebleau is a standout on Miami’s Collins Avenue, thanks to its luxe design, excellent amenities and sheer size. With more than 1,500 rooms and suites designed in a crisp, contemporary manner, it’s a place to see and be seen. See more.
Loews Miami Beach Hotel
This South Beach landmark goes big whatever chance it gets. It doesn’t matter if we’re talking accommodations (790 guest rooms), event space (more than 65,000 square feet of flexible area) or flavors (five restaurants and lounges), Loews Miami Beach Hotel makes a statement. See more.
The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach
Paying tribute to Miami’s vibrant culture and colorful history with sophisticated ease, this property is proud to be your gracious host. And ever since a $90 million property-wide makeover was completed in January 2020, it’s doing so with even more contemporary art deco style. See more.
