When you think of Miami as a tourist, you’re most likely to think of South Beach. A trendy party area full of hot nightclubs, top restaurants and art-deco hotels. As I extended my stay in Miami for 10 days I got to explore different neighbourhoods beyond the tourist hotspots and discover places to stay in each area. There’s a huge emphasis on art in Miami and this reflects across their hotels, each offering their own unique style. Here is my guide on where to stay in Miami, sorted by neighbourhood:
MIAMI BEACH
I stayed on this side of Miami for the majority of my stay simply because I love the beach. Miami Beach is the home of South Beach, Ocean Drive and its famous pastel coloured Art Deco Historic buildings. It’s also a very convenient area to get around thanks to the free trolleys that circle around South Beach and cheap buses.
LOEWS HOTEL MIAMI
Loews Hotel is all about 5-star luxury and location. Situated only one block away from Lincoln Road, you’re right in the hub of Miami Beach. The hotel has recently been redesigned and is split into two buildings. You’ll find everything you need from a coffee shop, great restaurants, a gym, function rooms to spa facilities. Loews’ St. Moritz tower is the renovated Art Deco part of the hotel where you definitely should check out Lure Fishbar, a delicious in house seafood restaurant with Japanese influences.
The room interior is modern and stylish with neutral colours throughout, offering either skyline or ocean views. For days when you wish to SOAK up the sun, there are plenty of sun chairs by the pool as well as cabanas, day beds and access to their private beach area.
Prices start from £274.
1601 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33141
Phone number: 305 604 1601
SOUTH BEACH
THE BETSY HOTEL
The Betsy Hotel is a beautifully renovated Art Deco hotel, located right on Ocean Drive. It offers a timeless and classic home away from home vibe, whilst still being right in the middle of all the action. Elements of the hotel feel like something out of the Gatsby era. The Betsy Hotel is very focused on creativity in many different ways. A walk around the hotel will take you through libraries, an outdoor patio with poetry railings, lifts filled with art and a writer’s room.
The Betsy Hotel is split into two wings, the Colonial Wing with Betsy’s original entrance and the Art Deco Wing via the old Carlton Hotel. The rooms are extremely modern and comfortable. Betsy Hotel is located only a one minute walk from the beach but does have two pools of its own, one rooftop and one courtyard pool.
Betsy has its own Panther Coffee as well as an excellent pizza restaurant called The Alley. Apart from the pizzas I highly recommend to try the zucchini salad and the pesto burrata. If you visit this hotel, don’t forget to keep an eye out for two resident Golden Retriever dogs. One of them is called Betsy!
Prices start from £189.
1440 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Phone number: 305-531-6100
SENSE BEACH HOUSE
Sense beach house is a more budget friendly option on South Beach. It’s a cute little boutique hotel with only 24 rooms. The rooms are very spacious and come with balconies which is a great plus. Thanks to its location a bit further down South Beach you get peace and quiet without the usual street noise. It has a homely guest house feel with white and blue ocean interiors. Guests can enjoy their rooftop with a pool but also have access to the beach located within one minute walking distance. Sense Beach House supplies chairs, umbrellas and towels as part of the resort fee.
Their on-site restaurant The Local House has a fairly priced international tapas menu with great cocktails and excellent seafood options. A big bonus is that you get a free glass of wine and discounted oysters from 6-7PM.
Prices start from £180.
400 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Phone number: 305-538-5529
MID BEACH
CIRCA 39
Circa 39 is located north of Miami Beach and is quite different from other hotels in the area with a very relaxed, charming and quirky atmosphere. The whole hotel has a lovely warm colour scheme with interiors drawing from lots of international influences.
Mid Beach is full of restaurants and is only one block away from the free trolley that goes around Miami Beach every 15 minutes. The hotel is located right across the street from the beach which has a quiet and more enjoyable boardwalk than the busy South Beach area. The pool area is cosy and also has a nice courtyard under the shade for those hot sunny days.
The in house Wunderbar offers lovely cocktails with happy hour everyday from 5-7PM.
Prices start from £117
3900 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33140
Phone number: 305-538-4900
DOWNTOWN
MANDARIN ORIENTAL
Mandarin Oriental is a 5 star establishment which speaks for itself. The hotel is located in Brickell Key, a little man made island in Downtown Miami which overlooks Biscayne Bay and offers stunning riverside city views. It’s an Urban Oasis close enough to everywhere you need to be but relaxed enough to feel like you’re on holiday somewhere tropical. Mandarin Oriental has a beautiful spa, a pool as well as a man made beach (but you can’t swim as it’s by the bay).
The rooms are spacious, clean and comfortable. Another bonus is that they are the home of Peruvian restaurant La Mar by Gaston Acurio, who’s one of Peru’s most renowned chefs and the food is delicious.
Price: Double rooms from £201 in low season /£355 in high.
Address: 500 Brickell Key Drive, Miami, 33131
Number: 305 913 8288
MiMo
MiMo is short for Miami Modern and is located on the Upper East Side of Miami.
VAGABOND HOTEL
Capturing the essence of Miami in the 1950s. Vagabond hotel offers a real taste of America. The hotel has kept its ex-model exterior but has been renovated to a beautiful boutique hotel. Without having to compromise on comfort you can get the modern motel experience. The rooms are very retro and funky. Vagabond Hotel has a large pool surrounded by beautiful greenery which doesn’t get overcrowded. The pool also has its own bar.
The hotel is very comfortable. Guest have free parking and light breakfast included which comprises of bagels, spreads and hot drinks. Dining options include their in-house Vagabond Kitchen and Bar with an international menu or Ms. Cheezious for popular cheese sandwiches. Uber to Downtown Miami is only 6$.
Prices start from £110 (bookings can be made directly at enquiries@thevagabondhotelmiami.com).
7301 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, Florida 33138
Phone number: 305-400-8420
Where is your favourite place to stay in Miami?
This guide was in collaboration with Miami Tourism Board & the hotels but all views remain my own.
