The 9 Best Budget Miami Beach Hotels of 2018

Located in Mid-Beach and owned by hotel giant Preferred Hotels and Resorts, the newly renovated Circa 39 shows off its tropical, vintage décor at surprisingly affordable prices. Rum-infused, craft cocktails are served up at the trendy Wunderbar, while the on-site restaurant offers global comfort food or a classic breakfast buffet on the patio. The 97, eco-friendly guestrooms have an island vibe, glass-enclosed showers, bathrobes, mini refrigerators and beach towels. Relax by the swimming pool or on the sun deck with teak chaise lounges and cabanas. The beach is just a quick walk across the street (access included in the resort fee). Self-parking is an additional charge. 

Although this dazzling, Art Deco hotel is one of the pricier Miami Beach “budget” hotels, it is also located right on the sand. The 105, sophisticated and airy accommodations have a minimum of 265 square feet, vintage furniture, Egyptian cotton sheets and high-end bath products. Catch some rays in a sun lounger, order a cocktail from one of the beach attendants or float around in the inviting pool. An on-site restaurant serves new American fare indoors or out on the deck, and a coffee bar is open for that morning jolt. In the evenings, stop by the trendy martini bar, which first opened 70 years ago. 

Located in the heart of South Beach’s Art Deco neighborhood, The Hall, a Joie de Vivre hotel, has a carefree atmosphere steps from an exclusive slice of the beach – just a block away. Lined with tropical vegetation and cabanas, the swimming pool at the Hall is a gathering place for locals and tourists. The bar serves up local craft beers and Florida-inspired cocktails in a chilled-out setting, making the pool and courtyard a favorite place to unwind (guests also receive a welcome cocktail upon arrival). Grab a bite from Sunny’s, the casual courtyard restaurant that’s open for breakfast, lunch and brunch for “Floribbean” favorites. Accommodations have lighthearted, tropical décor, a minimum of 215 square feet and include 42-inch televisions, Bluetooth speakers, free WiFi and spa-quality bath products. Breakfast, parking and a resort fee are an additional charge.

A hybrid between a boutique hotel and a backpacker hostel, The Freehand is a renovated Art Deco hotel that is located a block from the Miami Beach boardwalk just south of Mid-Beach. The concept behind Freehand is to encourage travelers to be social, with plenty of public areas and shared or private accommodations. The Broken Shaker Bar serves up award-winning cocktails that incorporate herbs and spices from the hotel garden and the 27 restaurant serves international cuisine with fresh ingredients. Private rooms include iPod docking stations, local artwork, en-suite baths and free WiFi. Guests can enjoy a free breakfast, relax in the outdoor pool and garden, or take a spin around the area on one of the bicycle rentals. 

Finding a Miami hotel that is family-friendly and affordable can be difficult, but the Villa Paradiso hotel in Miami Beach fits the bill. Rooms have a Florida beach house ambience, with wood floors, sunshine yellow pastels, eggshell furniture and separate baths. To save time and money, there are also full kitchens that make preparing family meals a breeze. Cribs and rollaway beds are also available, and there is a playground a block-and-a-half from the hotel, or the beach is a five-minute walk. Free beach towels and WiFi are included in the rates, but parking is additional and not on the property. The cozy, 17-room hotel also has a lovely garden that is a welcome reprieve after a day exploring South Beach. 

Created by the fashion icons at Diesel jeans, the 29-room Pelican Hotel opened its doors in South Beach in 1994 and has continued to impress visitors with its unique style. Vintage furnishings represent the Art Deco era and were collected from yard sales and Florida markets to create an authentic atmosphere. Each room has its own unique design, name and theme, but all have top-of-the-line stereo and music systems, organic mattresses and free WiFi. The hotel hosts a happy hour with free drinks for guests, and the Rest Café serves up breakfast favorites, seafood dishes and Italian cuisine indoors or on the sidewalk patio. The Pelican is located in the center of South Beach, just across from the beach itself (loungers and towels are available), however there is no gym or pool on the property.

Located on the bay side of South Beach, the 330-room Mondrian South Beach is a luxurious and romantic choice for couples. Studio Rooms have a whopping 523 square feet of space, kitchen areas, dining tables and spacious baths with spa products. Rooms have breathtaking views of Biscayne Bay and downtown Miami – many with private balconies. Servers deliver light fare and cocktails to the beautiful outdoor pool area that is lined with cabanas, daybeds and garden hammocks. Take in a couples’ candle massage at the 4,000-square-foot, “GUYandGIRL Spa,” which has a wide range of treatments including reflexology and body scrubs. The Mondrian Café serves Floridian specialties for breakfast, lunch and dinner and the bar grants beautiful sunset views. The resort also has a 24-hour fitness center, but breakfast and valet parking are additional charges. 

This retro hotel features designs inspired by the 1950s (it originally opened in 1953) and infuses modern technology and comforts into each of the 45 hotel rooms. Spacious rooms average 300 square feet and have geometric wall patterns and a colorful mix of soft aqua pastels with bold, fuchsia- and lime-colored furniture. Rooms have free WiFi, spa-quality bath products, televisions, hypo-allergenic bedding and plush robes. Free pastries and coffee are included in the hotel stay. For brunch or dinner, the hotel features the Vagabond Restaurant, which serves up Latin-Asian-American cuisine. Take a dip in the pool, sip on a crafted cocktail from the poolside bar, sunbathe in the palm-tree-lined courtyard or squeeze in a workout at the on-site fitness center. Located in Biscayne, the Vagabond Motel positions travelers within several creative art neighborhoods such as the Design District and Wynwood. 

Under new management since 2012, La Flora stands out for its friendly service and outstanding location just a block from the beach and steps from the sizzling nightlife. An Irish bar, nightclub and several restaurants are across the street, but many other options are within walking distance. Each of the 31 rooms have simple décor with modern furnishings, marble vanities in baths, free WiFi, flat-screen televisions and individually controlled air conditioning. There is no pool on the property, but there is a lobby bar with free happy hour drinks for guests, an outdoor patio and free continental breakfast. Parking is an additional cost.