A visit to Miami inevitably means a trip to the beach, and there’s no better place to stay than one of the many Miami beachfront hotels where you can wake up and fall asleep to views of the water just steps away from your suite.
The Best Miami Beachfront Hotels
Skip the hassle of looking for beach parking and post up in one of these nine swanky oceanfront hotels in Miami where the only thing separating you from the water is the signature white-sand beach.
Fontainebleau Miami Beach
If you’re looking to stay in one of the most iconic Miami beachfront hotels, look no further than Fontainebleau. The 22-acre oceanfront hotel blends in beautifully along Millionaire’s Row with its landmark Morris Lapidus curved design, which houses chic nightclubs like LIV and one of Miami’s top spas, the two-story Lapis, which Martha Stewart called the “most beautiful spa in America.” The five-star hotel—which has been the backdrop of famous films like “Goldfinger” and “Scarface”—is also home to a whopping 1,504 rooms and suites, plus an array of stand-out bars and restaurants like Scarpetta and Hakkasan.
Amenities: 12 restaurants and lounges, a 40,000-square-foot spa, oceanfront pool with cabanas and sun loungers, daily activities with the FB Kids program, and the weekend BleauLive performance series featuring big-name acts like Lady Gaga and Pharrell Williams.
Carillon Miami Wellness Resort
Carillon Miami may not sound familiar, but you may know the hotel by its former name: Canyon Ranch. Same ethos, different look, except here food and wine are luxuries you can indulge in post-spa. The 150-room, all-suite hotel features floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, as well as indulgent, spa-like bathrooms. This doesn’t mean you should skip the spa itself though. The 70,000-square-foot spa—South Florida’s largest—is reason enough for a stay at this Miami beachfront hotel, with a seaside detox treatment that blends ancient Arabic cleansing rituals with natural ingredients hailing straight from the water.
Amenities: More than 200 weekly fitness classes, an on-site wellness team, personal concierge program, four pools (including adults-only and family pools), a two-story indoor rock wall, and a 750-foot beachfront.
W South Beach
Ideally situated in the center of South Beach, the oceanfront W South Beach offers the quintessential Miami Beach experience. Think private balconies and VIP suites overlooking the water, cabana-lined pool decks, the celeb fave WALL Nightclub (where Paris Hilton has been known to DJ), and two top-notch eateries.
Amenities: Two pools, cabanas available for rent, rooftop regulation-size basketball and tennis courts, complimentary bike rentals, beach umbrellas and daybeds, a pet program with toys and treats, a Bliss Spa, and an Oren Salon.
The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort
When it comes to Miami beachfront hotels, the 216-room St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort is one of the city’s best-kept secrets. Located on Miami Beach’s northern tip in the exclusive village of Bal Harbour, the St. Regis is just 15 minutes away from South Beach but offers an entirely different vibe. If you’re after a secluded stay where the only sound you’ll hear is waves lapping at your feet, this five-star spot (with its signature butler service for suites) is definitely your place.
Amenities: The St. Regis Children’s Club, two outdoor infinity pools, private cabanas and daybeds, 1,000 square feet of white-sand beaches, the 14,000-square-foot Remede-branded spa, and a state-of-the-art athletic club.
The Setai, Miami Beach
Historic Art Deco architecture meets a more modern side of South Beach at the sleek, Asian-inspired Setai. Launched by heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey in 1937, the original 87 Art Deco suites are outfitted in Asian motifs with black granite baths and luxurious amenities like Frette linens and Acqua di Parma toiletries. The 51 newer Ocean Suites, meanwhile, lie adjacent in a 40-story glass tower with stunning views of the ocean, particularly from the top floor penthouse suite, complete with an infinity pool and Jacuzzi on the private rooftop terrace.
Amenities: Suites with tubs for in-room spa treatments, three infinity pools, private beach with day beds and Jet Skis, complimentary beach yoga, and spa by Parisian brand THEMAE.
Acqualina Resort & Spa, Sunny Isles Beach
Rated the number-one beach hotel in the continental U.S., the 98-room Acqualina Resort sits on a prime stretch of 4.5 beachfront acres in the well-heeled neighborhood of Sunny Isles Beach. Baroque fountains and sculpted archways are just a few of the signs you’re no longer in South Beach. The resort offers enough to keep you busy for days without ever needing to leave the perfectly sculpted grounds. Picture three oceanfront pools; an award-winning, 20,000-square-foot, two-story ESPA spa; and world-class dining from one of New York City’s top Italian eateries, Il Mulino.
Amenities: Basketball on the beach, soccer on the great lawn, a private beach club, poolside reflexology, three outdoor pools, babysitting and butler service, and the Acquamarine kids’ program with an array of activities for ages 5 to 12.
Delano South Beach
Among the original grand dames of South Beach, Delano is considered one of the top oceanfront hotels in Miami. The Philippe Starck-designed space is known for its minimalist chic decor (think white on white in a Mykonos kind of way) and swanky, Alice in Wonderland-themed garden, where a wrought-iron set of chairs sits in the wadeable pool. Sprawl out in one of the chaise lounges or cabanas (complete with TVs) lining the water, or make your way directly down to the beach club on the sand.
Amenities: Poolside bungalows with soaking tubs and private patios, in-room spa services, Ciel Reserve bath products, two complimentary beach chairs, three restaurants, and two bars (including the luxe lobby Rose Bar).
SLS South Beach
The ironic part about Miami beachfront hotels is that they’re judged just as much on their pool scene as they are on their beach. The luxe Philippe Starck-designed SLS South Beach offers the best of both in the form of Hyde Beach, an outdoor space that hosts some of Miami’s best pool parties, catered by celeb chef Jose Andres. Rooms are just as stylish (and slightly scandalous), inspired by Louis XV’s legendary mistress with mirrors lining the ceiling.
Amenities: Signature eatery The Bazaar, two beach chairs included with resort fee, fitness classes, and access to the BMW house car.
The Confidante Miami Beach by Hyatt
Mid-century modern reigns supreme in the revamped Art Deco hotel by Hyatt, originally opened in the 1940s. Pastel hues make this hotel really pop, offering a beach-house feel that appeals to a younger set of travelers. Two heated pools are divided between adults and families, with a path leading directly down to vibrant umbrellas and beach chairs sitting along the sand. Cabanas are also available poolside and on the rooftop, where they serve as chic spa suites.
Amenities: Pet-friendly rooms with views of the skyline and Atlantic Ocean, a full-service Warren-Tricomi Studio salon, a craft cafe with grab-and-go items, and events like backyard pool parties and happy hour.
More from SmarterTravel:
- Miami Travel Guide
- 7 Best Hotels in Miami
- 8 Best Cheap Hotels in Miami
- 9 Fun Things to Do in Miami
- 8 Must-See Miami Attractions
- 9 Best Beaches in Miami
- 10 Best Restaurants in Miami
- The Best Cheap Eats in Miami
- Where to Find the Best Cuban Food in Miami
- What to Pack for Miami
- What to Wear in Miami
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—Original reporting by Lane Nieset
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