[category]
[title]
Luxury travel’s most influential rating system just gave five Miami-area hotels its highest, five-star honor, once more proving that the city is a top destination when it comes to luxe, high-end stays.
RECOMMENDED: The 15 best hotels in Miami, from gorgeous boutique properties to luxurious resorts
The newly released 2026 Star Awards from Forbes Travel Guide (a.k.a. the global gold standard for luxury hospitality rankings) awarded five-star hotel status to five properties across Miami and Miami Beach. Undercover inspectors evaluate hotels using hundreds of criteria, with a heavy focus on service, experience and consistency. Five-star ratings are reserved only for properties delivering what the guide calls outstanding, customizable and consistently exceptional service across every touchpoint of the guest experience, from arrival through departure.
This year’s Miami-area five-star hotel winners are: Acqualina Resort & Residences on the Beach, Faena Hotel Miami Beach, Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club, The Setai Miami Beach and The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort. Together, they represent a cross-section of the region’s ultra-luxury offerings, from historic oceanfront glamour to modern high-rise sophistication.
The concentration of top-tier properties reflects Miami’s evolution into a global luxury hub, where hospitality brands compete not just on design and amenities, but increasingly on deeply personalized guest experiences that prompt repeat returns. High-touch service, curated dining programs and wellness offerings have become major differentiators as travelers seek more individualized stays.
Beyond hotels, the 2026 rankings also recognized Miami across other hospitality categories, including multiple restaurants and spas earning top-tier status (many of them attached to the five-star hotels). Several additional local hotels received four-star recognition, all of which reinforce the city’s reputation as a destination built around high-end experiences, where luxury travel demand continues to grow year over year.
For travelers planning a splurge-worthy Miami getaway, these properties now carry one of the travel industry’s most prestigious seals of approval. And as global luxury travel continues rebounding and expanding and redefining itself, securing reservations at these top-ranked hotels will likely only become more competitive in the months ahead.