The 11 best hotels in South Beach for your next Miami getaway

The 1 Hotel offers grade-A luxury you can feel pretty good about accepting. This whole resort is eco-friendly, as the reclaimed wood used throughout will keep reminding you. As for entertainment? You've got four glistening pools to choose from, watersports activities, and a sublime spa. It’s also the proud owner of South Beach’s only water-facing rooftop with a pool (which is adult-only) and, even more uniquely, is one of the world’s only hotels selling a signature scent candle for guests to take home with them. Even more reason to breathe deep and relax.

Mood? Oceanfront resort vibes.
Location perks? You'll have your very own private beach. What's not to love?
Budget range? On the pricey side.

In our opinion, The Standard properties—including our London favorites—never fail to deliver, so it should come as no surprise to learn that this one on Belle Isle is also an unmissable spot. It’s only a short cab ride from the main part of South Beach, but it’s also far enough outside to feel ultra-relaxed. Get into the holiday feeling by sipping frosé served at the Lido, especially during its High Tide happy hour (Mon to Thu, 4pm until 6pm) when it’s just $7. Oh, and you probably don’t want to miss the hotel’s pool parties.

Mood? Dreamy interiors. 
Location perks? Biscayne Bay is on your doorstep. Bliss.
Budget range? Mid-range.

The gorgeous four-star Hotel Victor is located right across from the beach, with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. Considering themselves the 'home for the sophisticated traveler', you can bet you'll get nothing but sophistication here. The hotel features the first U.S. Peruvian Crystal Color Therapy Spa, where you can expect holistic therapies as well as more traditional spa services like massages, facials, sauna, and meditation rooms to chill in. There's also a 24-hour fitness center on-site and guests have complimentary access to bicycles, too. The rooms and suites evoke beach-house vibes, with subtle interior decor and furnishings, creating a muted but modern feel. The rooms range from standard doubles to more swanky penthouse suites with private hot tubs.  

Mood? Bohemian dream.
Location perks? The hotel overlooks the ocean and is a five-minute walk from the Art Deco District. 
Budget range? Surprisingly cheap.

It’s tall, dark, and handsome—your type on paper but, you know, the luxury hotel version. Thankfully, a room at the South Beach property is probably easier to land than a date in Miami, plus you’ll feel great after spending the night here. Book one of the Setai’s fabulous suites and prepare for the five-star treatment, luxury amenities, and a private pool area where spotting celebrities is almost guaranteed.

Mood? The best kind of Miami vibes.
Location perks? Located in the Art Deco District opposite the beach. 
Budget range? On the (very) expensive side of life.

If the word ‘tropical’ gets your travel juices flowing, there’s a high chance the Lennox’s aesthetic will be your kind of thing. This South Beach neighborhood hotel is decorated with light natural woods, pale rattan, white linens and lots of enviable houseplants. The whole vibe here is ‘don’t rush’, so put down the iPhone, don’t pick up emails and fully embrace the OOO tranquillity. The pool area isn’t quite as grand as at other hotels, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in an artfully curated aura of pure relaxation.

Mood? Pour me another cocktail.
Location perks? Get your retro hit in the nearby Art Deco Historic District.
Budget range? A holiday to really remember.

This historic boutique property – once known as the illustrious Ritz Plaza Hotel—is a playground for the hard-partying out-of-towner looking to explore the Art Deco historic district. SLS South Beach provides many a late-night soirée and daytime pool party, while Spanish restaurant Bazaar and haven for Japanese sushi Katsuya are the onsite foodie hotspots to check out in-between events. If it ever gets to be too much, no bother. Just saunter your way to your plush suite for a well-deserved snooze or soak in one of the massive tubs.

Mood? Bespoke design.
Location perks? Walking distance to South Beach and less than a mile from the Art Deco District.
Budget range? A very decent offering.

Traveling with pets? Bring your pampered pooch to the W, where they'll be spoiled like the furry kings and queens they are. You'll get the royal treatment too, staying in rooms that boast floor-to-ceiling windows, sitting areas, and multiple balconies for views of Collins Avenue and the beach. Guests get complimentary beach chairs and plenty of shaded areas to sit poolside. Come dinnertime, head downstairs for modern Italian-American at RWSB or upscale Chinese at Mr. Chow. End the evening with a nightcap at the Living Room, the hotel's vibey lobby bar.

Mood? Pet-friendly palace.
Location perks? Stunning views over South Beach.
Budget range? Mega bucks.

If you’re a Miami driver, you likely dread this corner of South Beach for being one of the ’hood’s busiest intersections. But Gale’s central location is partly what makes it so attractive to tourists. You'll find a rooftop lounge, a tasty Italian restaurant, and a sexy cocktail bar, the Regent, all under one roof. Found minutes away from the beach, this plush pad will have you strolling along the shoreline and cooling off in the pool when temperatures rise. Who cares about traffic when your itinerary for the day is tan, eat, repeat?

Mood? Rooftop relaxation.
Location perks? Located right by Miami Beach and all it comes with.
Budget range? Incredibly cheap. 

The best thing about Nautilus isn’t just that it’s in a ridiculously gorgeous 1950s-era Art Deco building, nor that it’s got a fabulous outdoor pool surrounded by cabanas and offers tons of spa services. The absolute best thing about Nautilus is its price. Nowhere else in Miami can you get quite so much luxury at quite such reasonable prices.

Mood? Nautical chic.
Location perks? You guessed it... right on the beach. 
Budget range? A great deal. 

If you're looking to be right in the buzz of Ocean Drive's shopping and entertainment opportunities, look no further. This place has become somewhat of a literary haunt thanks to its Writer’s Room, a program that offers creatives temporary lodging and a platform to share their finished products. But, fear not, you don’t need to be writing the next great American novel to stay at The Betsy. This hotel’s gorgeous new wing and fresh restaurants, not to mention the breathtaking rooftop overlooking the ocean, offer a welcome source of inspiration for all who visit.

Mood? Authentic Miami style.
Location perks? Right on Ocean Drive, amid the shops, restaurants, and entertainment on offer.
Budget range? Higher end.

Situated opposite Miami Beach, this popular resort features a full-service spa alongside six restaurants and lounges, so you're sure to be well looked after during your stay. Though the Loews is known for hosting the odd convention,  you’ll see more swimsuits than three-piece suits. While it caters to business types, families and large groups love it for its spacious rooms and plentiful space for lounging and relaxing. There’s a gigantic fitness center and luxury spa, an oceanfront swimming pool, and 20 butler-serviced cabanas – talk about living in the lap of luxury.

Mood? Beachfront resort.
Location perks? Aside from the beach, the hotel has so much to offer before you venture out.
Budget range? Very affordable indeed.