Inspiration Hotels Best Miami Beachfront Hotels All types of travelers will love our top choice, Fontainebleau Miami Beach By Christina Liao Updated on 06/30/21 Fact checked by Leila Najafi Fact checked by Leila Najafi Instagram LinkedIn Twitter Leila is an L.A.-based luxury travel and lifestyle writer with over five years of experience covering destination guides, hotel reviews, restaurant openings, travel rewards programs, and buying guides. TripSavvy's fact-checking Share Pin Email Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. Miami’s beachfront hotels are where all of the action happens. And at some of the finest options, there are added benefits of atmospheric restaurants, award-winning spas, and world-class entertainment. Nevertheless, as a destination beloved for sun and sand, right by the water is where you’ll want to be. When choosing where to stay, take into consideration the vibe you’re after. South Beach is known for its exciting nightlife and see-and-be-seen energy, which is often reflected in the area’s resorts. But if you want something a little more relaxed and low tempo, head north to Mid-Beach and beyond. The following hotels top their categories based on accolades, customer reviews, rates, top-tier service, and more. Read on for our expert list of the best beachfront hotels in Miami. The 8 Best Miami Beachfront Hotels of 2022 Best Overall: Fontainebleau Miami Beach Best Budget: Freehand Miami Best for Families: Loews Miami Beach Hotel Best for Couples: 1 Hotel South Beach Best for Luxury: Four Seasons Hotel at the Surf Club, Surfside, Florida Best Boutique: The Betsy Hotel Best Wellness: Carillon Miami Wellness Resort Best Design: Faena Hotel Miami Beach Best Miami Beachfront Hotels View All Best Miami Beachfront Hotels Fontainebleau Miami Beach Freehand Miami Loews Miami Beach Hotel 1 Hotel South Beach Four Seasons Hotel at the Surf Club, Surfside, Florida The Betsy Hotel Carillon Miami Wellness Resort Faena Hotel Miami Beach Final Verdict Compare Hotels Methodology Best Overall : Fontainebleau Miami Beach Fontainebleau Miami Beach See Rates on Kayak.com Why We Chose It Sprawled across 22 acres with numerous pools, restaurants, and even an on-site nightclub, Fontainebleau Miami Beach appeals to families, couples, and partiers. Pros & Cons Pros 11 outdoor pools 11 food and beverage venues, including big names like Hakkasan, Scarpetta by Scott Conant, and Stripsteak by Michael Mina LIV, the hotel’s on-site nightclub, is one of the hottest spots in town Cons Located in Mid-Beach, a little far from South Beach’s attractions and nightlife Music at the pools can be loud and weekend party atmosphere is not the most family friendly $33+ daily resort fee and $49+ valet fee per night For a full-blown resort that’s fit for families, couples, and partiers, there’s no other place like the Fontainebleau Miami Beach. Sprawled across 22 acres, the hotel boasts 11 outdoor pools, including a family-friendly oasis complete with a slide and the Arkadia Day Club that holds boisterous parties with a live DJ on the weekends. You’ll also find one of the city’s best spas here, where the world-class facility offers amenities like a jetted pool, rain room, deluge shower, steam room, and hammam benches. And to keep you satiated, there’s no shortage of options to choose from with 11 on-site food and beverage venues, including big names like Hakkasan, Scarpetta by Scott Conant, and Stripsteak by Michael Mina. If you’re in Miami to party, the property also happens to be home to LIV, one of the hottest nightclubs in town. Once you’re ready to call it a night, accommodations are bright and airy, and many are outfitted with balconies and have luxurious marble bathrooms. Notable Amenities Award-winning, 40,000-square-foot spaAdults-only Arkadia Day Club Best Budget : Freehand Miami Freehand Miami See Rates on Kayak.com Why We Chose It Often dubbed a “luxury hostel,” Freehand Miami provides guests well-appointed dorms and private rooms at affordable rates. Pros & Cons Pros Affordable rates with beds in a dorm starting at $25 and private rooms starting at $109 5-minute walk to the beach Award-winning bar Broken Shaker serves craft cocktails in a lush backyard setting Cons Located in Mid-Beach, a little far from South Beach’s attractions and nightlife $6+ resort fee for dorm and $25+ for private room As a hotel-hostel hybrid, Freehand Miami offers both shared dorms and private rooms for their guests. The well-appointed accommodations designed by acclaimed studio Roman and Williams have eccentric mix-and-match furnishings and are fairly spacious given the surprisingly affordable rate. What you’ll undoubtedly love the most though is the lush courtyard, where you’ll find an outdoor pool and the award-winning Broken Shaker bar, which has a party vibe once the sun sets. And don’t sleep on the property’s 27 restaurant, where the globally inspired menu highlights local ingredients. Notable Amenities Outdoor poolBike rentals for guests Best for Families : Loews Miami Beach Hotel Loews Miami Beach Hotel See Rates on Kayak.com Why We Chose It With a kids club, gaming lounge, cooking classes, and a bevy of outdoor activities, Loews Miami Beach Hotel will keep the little ones entertained. Pros & Cons Pros Kids' club with daily scheduled activities and a rec room and arcade Banana boat rides, non-motorized water sports, and on-site photoshoot included in resort fee Some rooms feature a twin-size sofa bed Cons Elevator wait times can be long Ambient noise can be heard in some accommodations $32+ daily resort fee $41+ nightly valet fee There’s a reason Loews Miami Beach Hotel’s motto is “Welcoming you like family.” The large beachfront property has a number of amenities fit for young ones including a kids' club with daily scheduled activities, a video game and arcade lounge, cooking classes like pizza-making sessions, and a huge pool. While the young ones are busy, parents can book one of the adults-only cabanas with bottle service or spend some time at the full-service spa with a relaxing treatment. To keep you satiated there are five food and beverage outlets, including Miami Joe Coffee Co. for a quick cup of joe to jumpstart your day and Lure Fishbar for fresh seafood. Rooms here are modern with a neutral color palette and marble bathrooms, but make sure to book one with a balcony and ocean view for the full Miami experience. Notable Amenities On-site spaAdults-only cabanasCooking classesVideo game and arcade lounge for kids Best for Couples : 1 Hotel South Beach 1 Hotel South Beach See Rates on Kayak.com Why We Chose It Boasting South Beach’s largest rooftop pool (an adults-only oasis), some of the most spacious accommodations in the area, lush landscaping, and imitable dining options, 1 Hotel South Beach is the perfect getaway for couples. Pros & Cons Pros 4 outdoor pools Rooms are spacious An eco-friendly property with LEED Silver certification Cons Located on the northernmost end of South Beach, far from some attractions and nightlife $45+ daily resort fee, $50+ valet fee per night When you step foot onto the grounds of 1 Hotels South Beach, you’re immediately enveloped in its lush landscaping. From its living green walls to the grotto garden in the lobby, there’s no mistaking that sustainability is a huge component of the brand’s backbone. At this luxurious property, you’ll find South Beach’s largest guestrooms, which average 700 square feet. The well-appointed rooms and suites are largely neutral in color and feature furnishings made from reclaimed or repurposed materials, huge marble bathrooms, and Triple Clear Water filters in all taps. For your sunny getaway, 600 feet of pristine beach is dotted with chaise lounges and daybeds while there are also four pool options, one of which is a 110-foot-long, adults-only oasis on the property’s rooftop, the largest of its kind in the neighborhood. You’ll also be spoiled with eight dining and beverage options, including a sea-to-table concept at 1 Beach Club and the Japanese and Peruvian–inspired Watr at the Rooftop. Notable Amenities Organic beddingBike rentalsComplimentary guest transport car service Best for Luxury : Four Seasons Hotel at the Surf Club, Surfside, Florida Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club, Surfside, Florida See Rates on Kayak.com Why We Chose It Less about the see-and-be-seen vibe of Miami Beach, Four Seasons Hotel at the Surf Club in Surfside has a more relaxed, elegant atmosphere compared to its South Beach counterparts. Pros & Cons Pros Accommodations are spacious Direct beach access, 3 outdoor pools The Champagne Bar features Miami’s largest selection of bubbly Restaurant on site by celebrity chef Thomas Keller Cons Located in Surfside, a little far from South Beach’s attractions and nightlife Pricey $40+ daily resort fee, $45+ valet fee per night From the outside, Four Seasons Hotel at the Surf Club is a story of contrasts. With the addition of sleek glass towers when the luxury brand expanded the property in 2017, the modern buildings only enhance the beauty of the original hacienda-style 1930s clubhouse. Located in Surfside, the resort is not so much about the see-and-be-seen vibe of South Beach, but rather a relaxed atmosphere for visitors in search of an elegant getaway. Accommodations here are bright and spacious, with floor-to-ceiling windows and white marble bathrooms. In addition to direct beach access, the property has three outdoor pools: one for families, another that’s for adults only, and a third that’s reserved for guests who book one of the air-conditioned cabanas. The resort is also home to an award-winning spa and four food and beverage venues, including a restaurant by world-renowned chef Thomas Keller and a champagne bar that features Miami’s largest selection of bubbly. Notable Amenities Award-winning spa with a hammam, steam rooms, and saunaBike rentalsComplimentary guest transport car serviceAir-conditioned cabanasKids' club Best Boutique : The Betsy Hotel The Betsy South Beach See Rates on Kayak.com Why We Chose It With its stately architecture and nightly live jazz music, the Betsy Hotel feels more like a Georgian home than a South Beach property. Pros & Cons Pros Rooftop pool with 360-degree views of the Atlantic Ocean and Miami skyline Nightly live music Located very centrally on Ocean Drive Cons Rooms are on the smaller side Can be loud from street noise $40+ daily resort fee A family-owned property on the northern end of Ocean Drive, the Betsy Hotel’s colonial-style facade stands out amongst its Art Deco neighbors. Inside you’ll find well-appointed accommodations with Sferra linens, marble bathrooms, and mini-libraries. If you decide to skip the beach, there are two outdoor pools for lounging, including a rooftop oasis where you can take in 360-degree views of the Atlantic Ocean and Miami skyline. And to keep you satiated, the property offers guests a steak and seafood restaurant; a modern take on a Neapolitan trattoria; and a lobby bar with nightly live jazz entertainment. Notable Amenities Beach serviceIn-room spa treatments are availablePeloton bikes in fitness centerMalin+Goetz toiletriesSferra linens Best Wellness : Carillon Miami Wellness Resort Carillon Miami Wellness Resort See Rates on Kayak.com Why We Chose It Focusing both on your physical and mental health, Carillon Miami Wellness Resort goes above and beyond your typical spa. Pros & Cons Pros A 70,000-square-foot spa complete with a hydrotherapy circuit More than 20 scheduled fitness classes per day Apartment-style accommodations are spacious and furnished with a separate living room and full kitchen Multiple outdoor pools Cons Cell phone use is prohibited in some areas of the resort $38+ daily resort fee, $40+ valet fee per night If you’re in need of restoring your mind and body, look no further than Carillon Miami Wellness Resort. Home to a multi-level, 70,000-square-foot spa, this isn’t just any ordinary spa. Its extensive menu features more than 40 treatments that include massages, body rituals, facials, anti-aging skincare, cryotherapies, and touchless services like red light–therapy pods. The facility also has a hydrotherapy circuit that all hotel guests above 14 years old can access, complete with a Finnish sauna, crystal steam room, herbal laconium, vitality tub, experiential rains, thermal loungers, foot spa, and an igloo. Consultations with on-site doctors and professionals are also offered, should you want to discuss topics such as nutrition, emotional health, or life strategies. And for the fitness buff, there’s a fully equipped gym in addition to more than 20 daily scheduled fitness classes that range from yoga to TRX. During your stay, you’ll sleep in the comfort of a one- or two-bedroom suite with floor-to-ceiling windows, a separate living room, fully equipped kitchen, and huge bathrooms with a separate walk-in shower and deep-soaking tub. The property also offers guests three dining outlets and four pools. Notable Amenities Indoor rock climbing wallFrette linensIn-room KitchenAid and Miele appliances Best Design : Faena Hotel Miami Beach Faena Hotel Miami Beach See Rates on Kayak.com Why We Chose It Swathed in red and with an impressive art collection including a gilded woolly mammoth skeleton by Damien Hirst, Faena Hotel Miami Beach has unforgettable design. Pros & Cons Pros Impressive art collection, including a glass-encased, gold leaf–encrusted woolly mammoth skeleton by Damien Hirst 100,000 square feet of pristine beach with top-notch butler service A 22,000-square foot award-winning spa Restaurants by celebrated chef Francis Mallmann and James Beard Award–winning chef Paul Qui Cons Pricey $35+ daily resort fee, $55+ valet fee per night When Alan Faena was putting the resort together, he enlisted decorated director-producer Baz Luhrmann and Academy Award-winning costume designer Catherine Martin to bring his vision to life. The result: a theatrical and opulent resort that recalls the glamor of the 1950s. Swathed in red and gold, the Faena Hotel Miami Beach is undoubtedly memorable, especially with its impressive art collection that includes a glass-encased, gilded wooly mammoth skeleton by Damien Hirst. Guests are spoiled in their spacious accommodations, which have goose-down bedding, Carrara marble bathrooms, and furnished balconies in the majority of the rooms. And while it’s definitely worth leaving the property to explore Miami, there’s plenty to do and eat at the hotel if you choose to stay on site for the entirety of your vacation. For rest and relaxation, there’s 100,000 square feet of pristine white sand beach at your disposal in addition to a cabana-dotted pool, both of which have full service. If you’re looking to be pampered, head to the 22,000-square-foot spa, complete with a hydrotherapy area and one of the largest hammams on the East coast. Entertainment is a key pillar at the Faena as well, where nightly live music is offered and weekly scheduled shows take place at the grand 150-seat theater. To keep you satiated, there are seven bars and restaurants, including Los Fuegos by Argentine grill master Francis Mallmann and Pao by James Beard Award-winning chef Paul Qui. Notable Amenities On-site theaterSpa features hydrotherapy area and one of the largest hammams on the East CoastLive entertainment Final Verdict If you’re vacationing in Miami, then you’re likely coming for sun and sand, so a beachfront hotel is a no-brainer. If you want a buzzy vibe, South Beach is where you’ll want to be, but for something more laidback, head north to Mid-Beach and beyond. The biggest splurges are the Faena Hotel Miami Beach and Four Seasons Hotel at the Surf Club, but there are also more wallet-friendly options like the Betsy Hotel and Freehand Miami. For families, Loews Miami Beach Hotel offers a number of activities and amenities for kids, while couples will want a retreat like 1 Hotel South Beach. And even though nightlife is a huge component of the city’s beach scene, Carillon Miami Wellness Resort will help you focus on your mind and body. But if you want everything wrapped all into one mega-resort, it doesn’t get any better than Fontainebleau Miami Beach. Compare the Best Miami Beachfront Hotels Property Fees Rates Rooms WiFi Fontainebleau Miami Beach Best Overall $33 $$ 1,504 room/suites Free Freehand Miami Best Budget $6+ for dorm and $25+ for private room $ 81 room/suites Free Loews Miami Beach Hotel Best for Families $32+ $$$ 790 room/suites Free 1 Hotel South Beach Best for Couples $45+ $$$ 425 room/suites Free Four Seasons Hotel at the Surf Club, Surfside, Florida Best for Luxury $40+ $$$$ 77 room/suites Free The Betsy Hotel Best Boutique $40+ $$ 130 room/suites Free Carillon Miami Wellness Resort Best Wellness $38 $$$ 150 suites Free Faena Hotel Miami Beach Best Design $35+ $$$$ 169 room/suites Free How We Chose These Hotels We evaluated over a dozen beachfront hotels in Miami before settling on the best for the chosen categories. Notable amenities, pricing, quality of service, design, and location were all taken into consideration. In determining this list, we evaluated numerous customer reviews and considered whether the property has collected any accolades in recent years. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies