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Top 10 Best Hotels in Miami / South Beach

May 21, 2020/in Miami /by alviedisco

You’re halfway through planning a trip to Miami, and you already know that you’re one of those destination party animals that wants a memorable experience full of luxury and modern amenities…. and you’re willing to open up the purse strings to get that. So then, it behooves you and your vacation companions to mobilize early in order to lock down a good room rate at one of Miami’s top hotels. Take it from us experts: there are a handful of magnificent Miami resorts that are head and shoulders above the rest of crowded pack, ones that offer all the trappings you desire in the central location you want and are conveniently right smack dab in South Beach.

What are the best high-end / upscale luxury hotels in South Beach, Miami in 2023?

The Miami that most out-of-town visitors know is the South Beach one: steamy summer weather, sheer opulence, fast money, stylish excess, and glitzy sensory overload. Of course, the locals and insiders are happy to deliver upon those stereotypes, because that’s the version that tourists pay handsomely to witness and be a part of. So South Floridians play that fiddle in harmonious tune, because more SoBe tourists mean more revenues generated and jobs created for the city’s residents.

Here, in order of our highly experienced and well-traveled Discotech customer service staff’s preferences, is our Top 10 list of high-end hotels you will want to visit – and stay at, if you can – on your next trip to Miami Beach:

1) Fontainbleau

Since opening its doors in 1954, the legendary Fontainebleau has held its place atop many a “Best Hotels in Miami” list. Fontainbleau looms largest among its peers in physical size – 1,504 rooms, most in Miami – but perhaps more importantly in history, reputation, and panache. Early-era entertainment icons Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Marilyn Monroe, and Elvis Presley registered regular stays there while in town; a who’s who of contemporary stars such as Sean “P-Diddy” Combs, Ariana Grande, Gwyneth Paltrow, and even Miami resident J-Lo have recently booked stay-cations there. With multiple pools, twelve on-site dining experiences, and an endless array of luxury diversion options for visitors, the most stress you’ll encounter is choosing your daily agenda. No worries though, they’ve got a cure for that too: clear your scheduled and spend an entire day at Lapis, Fontainebleau’s 40,000-square-foot spa.

Room amenities: smartphone docks, marble showers, ocean-view balconies
11 pools, including a kids’ water area and private cabana rental
On-premises nightclub (LIV)
World-class spa with hydrotherapy circuit and boutique
Three on-premises celebrity chef restaurants (Hakkasan, Scarpetta, StripSteak)
Well-equipped, modern gym and free (limited) fitness classes
Pet-friendly

2) 1 Hotel South Beach

Formerly Perry South Beach and the Gansevoort Miami Beach, the 1 Hotel South Beach in was renovated and relaunched under its current moniker in March 2015. The 1 Hotel brand is extremely eco-conscious, and sustainability permeates every facet of this jumbo-sized oceanfront resort: salvaged wood, hemp mattresses, organic linens, living walls, and even take-home socks instead of disposable slippers. If you think you’ll be roughing it in the woods like a tree-hugger though, you’ll be sadly mistaken. Airy rooms average 700 square feet – some of the largest in Miami – and are outfitted with Carrara marble soaking tubs and rainfall showers. Make time to check out the 18th-floor pool, an adults-only enclave next to to the hotel’s rooftop bar, which spoils guests with panoramic views of downtown Miami due west, the Atlantic Ocean due east, and the urban sprawl of the South Florida coastline due north and south.

Room amenities: Nespresso coffee machine, yoga mat, cotton robes, ocean-view balconies
Direct access to Miami Beach with chairs and umbrellas available
Four outdoor pools, including a large whirlpool
Three bars and on-premises celebrity chef restaurant (Beachcraft)
Full-service Bamford Spa
Lobby farm stand selling fresh fruit & vegetables
14,000 square-foot Spartan Gym
Conference rooms and business center

3) Dream Hotel South Beach

One block from the Miami’s famed beaches in the center of the Art Deco District sits the center of the party: Dream Hotel South Beach. An upscale hotel designed specifically for Miami’s well-heeled party circuit clientele, the Dream boasts 107 rooms plus a guesthouse that doubles as an event space. Room decor is chic and modern, with a focus on the two things that matter to party animals the most: comfortable beds and high-pressure rainfall showers. Families would do well to steer clear of this property, as everything in it caters to freewheeling and hard-charging adults. On-site perks include a Mexican restaurant with an impressively extensive tequila list, a standard spa with any services required for hangover recovery, and a rooftop infinity pool with a bar that stays open late. The Dream Hotel is a party lover’s dream – an upscale, stylish, Instagram-worthy backdrop that is an ideal home base for a wild weekend of adventure in Magic City.

Room amenities: large flat-screen TVs, minibars, smartphone docks
Guesthouse with covered rooftop terrace available for stays or events
On-premise restaurant Naked Taco with cantina & advanced tequila tasting menu
Spa with wide range of treatments plus a boutique
Rooftop infinity pool with cabanas and pool bar
Pet-friendly

4) The Miami Beach EDITION

Ian Schrager’s buzzy Miami Beach EDITION opened in December 2014 with the goal of providing high-end yet hip accommodations to couples, families, and business professionals in search of South Florida sunshine. Along the way, the EDITION gained a reputation for attracting ultra-trendy travelers, including numerous A-list and B-list celebrities who have become fans of its 1950s retro glamor vibe. The 294 spacious rooms and bungalow-like suites are outfitted with an array of unique modern luxuries such as Beats Bluetooth speakers and copies of PAPER magazine; downstairs away from the rooms, the resort wows guests with delightful experiential treats: an on-site restaurant from Jean Georges Vongerichten; a tranquil full-service spa; two pools lined with lush tropical plantings and a hidden hammock garden called The Sandbox; and Basement, an underground nightclub complex that Drake once rented out entirely to skate laps with his celebrity crush Rihanna during Ultra / Miami Music Week. Oh, and did we mention EDITION has 70,000 square feet of pristine white sand and blue waves as its backyard?

Room amenities: in-room speakers, flat-screen TVs, balconies with ocean views
Beachfront with chairs and umbrellas
Two swimming pools with poolside food and drink service
On-premises celebrity chef restaurant (Matador)
On-premises nightclub, bowling alley, and ice-skating rink (Basement Miami)
Multiple bars indoors and outdoors
Spa with treatment rooms, hammam, infrared sauna, and salon
24-hour fitness center with free weights and cardio machines
Nightly turndown service with free bottled water

5) SLS Hotel South Beach

Another trendy and upscale hotel for the trendy and upscale partying crowd, SLS South Beach boasts 140 beachfront rooms designed by the famous Philippe Starck featuring white, black, and pink hues and mirrors above the beds. The well-known on-site restaurants give the hotel cachet among foodies, while a legendary party pool scene and two bars keep the party going from morning until… the next morning. At night though, Miami’s craziest party people staying here opt for wilder nightclub scenes around the city, and so the scene at SLS Hotel resembles more a cool, hip, chill, low-key European-style ultra-lounge. Between the luxurious retro-inspired indoor areas and the sprawling pool deck, the entire venue has more than 8,000 square feet for partygoers to get their party vibes on no matter the time of day or their mood.

Room amenities: minibars, flat-screen TVs, oversized bathrooms with quality Ciel toiletries, couches, espresso machines
Serviced beach area with free loungers
Two pools, including a guest-only pool
On-premises dayclub (Hyde Beach) and nightclub (Hyde Lounge)
On-premises celebity chef restaurants (Katsuya, The Bazaar)
Two bars with popular happy hours, and a poolside bar
Full-service salon and poolside nail treatments
Small gym with cardio machines and free weights
Free drop-offs within a two-mile radius
Pet-friendly

6) The Setai

Erected on the property of the the circa 1937 Dempsey Vanderbilt Hotel, the Setai is a superlatively stylish Asian-themed beachfront resort with teak floors, lacquer furniture, and bronze and dark stone accents. While the property doesn’t appear to be much from the outside on the walk up, the hotel lobby is immaculate: jade, bronze, and stone architecture in alignment with Feng Sui practices, while each brick that lines the lobby floors was sourced from Shanghai and dates back to the Asian Art Deco period. All of the 135 rooms on property are suites, airy and roomy enough to accommodate larger groups (average room size is 600 square feet). Away from the rooms, the theme of “finding one’s zen” stays rigidly on-brand: an indulgent spa features therapeutic indulges from Paris-based Thémaé, and three infinity pools side-by-side offer guests their choice of soothing waters at a precise 75, 80, and 90 degrees.

Room amenities: Duxiana beds, black granite baths, jacuzzi tubs, Acqua di Parma toiletries, flat-screen TV’s, minibars
Multiple award-winning restaurants plus a world-class wine cellar
Luxury spa
State-of-the-art fitness center
Free yoga classes on the beach

7) W South Beach

Like many of the W Hotel properties around the world, the 401-room W South Beach is a high-energy luxury hotel with a sophisticated look and relaxed atmosphere popular with young professional twenty-somethings and new-family thirty-somethings with toddlers. Its lobby boasts eclectically designed interiors with an enviable collection of high-end contemporary art from famous names like Andy Warhol, Julian Schnabel, and Kenny Scharf (as well as a giant Instagram-worthy Hello Kitty fountain greeting visitors at the entrance). The Miami Beach sand and surf is just a stone’s throw away from the property, which cordons off a private area for W South Beach guests. The pool scene is everything and anything one could want from South Beach: tight bodies, six packs, cabanas, and a gorgeous crowd sipping mojitos to DJ-spun tunes.

Room amenities: kitchenettes, coffeemakers, minibars, outdoor spaces, hot tubs, balconies, Bliss toiletries
Two pools, including a semi-private adult-only pool
Two on-premises restaurants (Mr. Chow, RWSB)
On-premises nightclub (Wall at the W)
Bliss Spa with steam room, treatment rooms, and sauna
24-hour gym with free fitness classes
Luxury car rental available
Pet-friendly, plus dog kits available

8) Faena Hotel Miami Beach

An ambitious design collaboration between hotelier Alan Faena and power couple costume designer Catherine Martin and film director Baz Luhrmann, the eponymous 179-room Faena Hotel Miami Beach is a prime oceanfront luxury resort and cultural complex showcasing stylish extravagance. This resort opened to a well-heeled crowd during Art Basel 2016, and its opulent and chic interior decor – including a Damien Hirst sculpture in the lobby – is a lasting homage to its roots. Faena has retained a cadre of loyal high-end clients – including a few celebrities – with luxe, colorful, well-decorated rooms boasting furnished balconies and spectacular shoreline vistas. In addition to exquisite decor, guests are wowed by two five-star restaurants, four bars, and immaculately serviced pool and beach areas.

Room amenities: minibars, flat-screen TVs, furnished sea-view balconies, large tubs, butler service (for suites)
Free loungers and umbrellas on beachfront
Outdoor pool with cabanas for rent
Huge spa has hammam and treatments with a holistic and high-tech edge
Four on-premises celebrity chef restaurants (Los Fuegos, Pao, Veranda, Gitano)
Four bars with great cocktails and stunning interior decor
Kids’ club with high-brow activities

9) Hotel Delano Miami Beach

The Delano South Beach has long been regarded as one of Miami’s top luxury hotels, its iconic white-on-white design making it a South Beach playground favored by glitterati since it was first designed and built by Philippe Starck in 1947. With one of the most envied locations within the South Beach entertainment hub, this beachfront boutique hotel paradise is just steps from some of South Beach’s most popular restaurants, shops, sites, and streets. A stay in one of its 195 all-white rooms doesn’t come cheap; for the price you pay though, Delano will live up to your expectations and its reputation of having an impeccable standard of luxury. The heated pool with its trendy bar/lounge scene is a household name among local and international upscale partiers.

Room amenities: white marble bathrooms, wraparound windows, walk-in closet, sofa chair, desk, minibar
Direct access to beach with comfy loungers
Large high-energy infinity pool
Two on-premises restaurants (Leymia, Umi)
On-premises dayclub (Delano Beach Club) and evening lounge (Delano Beach At Night)
Agua Spa with full-service therapeutic treatment menu
Fitness center with weights and cardio
Free bike rentals

10) Shelborne Wyndham Grand

Thank to a 2014 overhaul to combine its Art Deco roots with modern luxury, the Shelborne South Beach has risen to become a popular pick for those seeking a less opulent (and slightly less expensive) but still stylish, upscale experience right on Collins Avenue. Standard rooms are smaller than those of the other hotels on this list; however, amenities are top-notch and include all the most important staples including beach access and a heated pool. The two best amenities by far are location and value for dollar spent: no matter the time of the year, room rates at this property are always competitive for an upscale beachfront option in South Beach. Most of its neighbors, including the Hotel Delano right next door, are consistently two to three times pricier.

Room amenities: flat-screen TV, smartphone dock, coffee maker, minibar, balconies
Heated pool with cabanas available
On-premises restaurant (The Sarsaparilla Club)
Beach service includes chair and towel
Business center and meeting spaces

OK, so you’ve just scrolled through and wrapped up all your research to maximize your high-end South Beach hotel accommodation experience! What’s the next step? Maybe head over to one of the famous Miami pool parties? Line up your day or night party plans for your Miami trip well in advance, and set aside the appropriate budgets using our Discotech app. Our app – available in both the App Store and Google Play and featured on BBC Travel and highly reviewed on Yelp! – will put you and your crew another huge step closer to your hassle-free Miami vacation!

Top 10 Best Cheap Hotels in South Beach Miami

May 21, 2020/in Miami /by alviedisco

Headed to Miami on a budget? These affordable hotels on the main South Beach drag that is the center of entertainment offer the most bang for your buck, not to mention prime location and plenty of upside.

The Miami that most out-of-town visitors know is the one of steamy summer weather, sheer opulence, fast money, gluttonous excess, and glitzy sensory overload. Of course, the locals and insiders are happy to indulge all those “Magic City” stereotypes, because that’s the version that many tourists pay handsomely to be a part of. And South Floridians play the fiddle in tune because “a fool and his money are soon parted” as the old saying goes – more revenues generated and jobs created for the city’s residents.

That being said, having a blast in Miami on a budget is actually much easier than you think. With the right hotel choice, you can save A TON money for all the fun stuff: shows, attractions, and of course…. reasonably priced (aka “Ballin on a Budget”) nightlife. But, first things first: if you’ve already told yourself that you’re one of those party animals that only needs a room to shower and nap pretty much, then you should to move early to lock down a good room rate at one of the best cheap (3-star or lower) hotels in Miami.

Take it from us experts: there are indeed a handful of budget-conscious resorts that offer all the amenities you need in the central location you want – right smack dab on South Beach – and at a ridiculously reasonable price point. Here, in order of our highly experienced customer service staff’s preferences, is our Discotech Top 10 List of best cheap – ahem, “affordable” – hotels smack in the center of Miami’s primary entertainment district, all within walking distance of the city’s world-famous nightclubs:

1) Hotel Victor

Located next to the Versace Mansion, the Victor was designed by Jacques Garcia (the man behind Paris’s Hôtel Costes), who adapted the “retro” 1930s Art-Deco feel into the Victor’s modern architecture. Garcia splashed the interiors with bold reds, magentas, and emeralds against warm and soothing beige tones. The Victor’s mosaic-tiled pool is tiny but equally beautifully decorated, as are the spa and the on-site restaurant Bice Ristorante. Comfortable guest rooms are outfitted with walk-in showers and infinity bathtubs for you to relax to the fullest while scrubbing the South Beach sand off your newly tanned body.

Sharp rooms with Keurig coffeemakers and 42-inch flat-screen TVs
Bungalow Rooms with direct pool access and outdoor rainfall showers
Casual outdoor pool with bar and stylish daybeds
Fitness center with a wide selection of cardio and weight machines
Lobby bar and independently owned/operated restaurants on-site
Free bike rental
Complimentary Wi-Fi plus free iPad use (hour per day)

2) Freehand

Set in a 1930s Art Deco building just two blocks from the beach, the Freehand features amenities, a guest kitchen, complimentary Wi-Fi, complimentary breakfast with Cuban pastries and locally roasted Panther Coffee, a happy hour for shared-room guests, and a chic hotel pool. One of the best budget hotels in Miami, the Freehand is not short on quirky character than many of its South Beach competitors, with vintage pieces from flea markets adorning the lobby and its 63 guest rooms. Because the property started out as a hostel – and technically still is – guests can opt to book shared “dorms” for four or eight in addition to private rooms for two. This hotel attracts mostly international clients, who are drawn by both the congenial atmosphere it exudes and its proximity to the South Beach eye candy.

Convivial atmosphere in lobby lounge
Chic outdoor pool with poolside table service
Broken Shaker cocktail bar draws locals and visitors
Excellent value for style and location
Free breakfast
Complimentary Wi-Fi

3) President Hotel

Location, location, location: the recently renovated three-star President Hotel is well-located in the Art Deco district of Collins Avenue, just a mere 15-minute walk from Ocean Drive. The hotel has fresh and modern wood-floored rooms – 64 guest on-site plus 20 villa annexes next door – decorated in minimalist nature motifs. The hotel has a small front terrace and a cocktail and smoothie bar in the lobby, plus a casual full-service on-site restaurant for you to grab a quick 10-minute bite…. before taking 2-3 hours to get ready for your epic night out at the Miami nightclubs.

Short walk to the beach and Ocean Drive
Guest rooms with mini-fridges and flat-screen TVs
Casual lobby restaurant and lobby bar serving cocktails and smoothies
Continental breakfast with upgraded hot options
Front porch terrace with tables and chairs

4) Colony Hotel

Launched in 1939 and last renovated in 2008, the Colony Hotel is a bustling, not-so-quiet party pad that offers 50 clean and modern rooms with picturesque views of Lummus Park. Across from the beach and in the middle of the all-night Ocean Drive chaos, this hotel relishes its niche role catering to younger spring breakers, with free Wi-Fi and a bar that serves fishbowl-size mojitos. For guests who aren’t going to be bothered by dingy yet safe hallways and tiny guest room bathrooms, the Colony is a wonderful way to stretch your dollar

Prime location across street from South Beach
37-inch flat-screen TVs
Clean, modern bedrooms
Complimentary Wi-Fi

5) Clinton Hotel

The Clinton is an affordable, comfortable, clean hotel that’s only two blocks from the beach while surrounded by the swarm of South Beach bars and restaurants.. The upholstery is aging and the rooms are small, but the property make up for that by offersingmore amenities than most small-scale budget boutiques in the area. And the best part: it’s actually tucked away in a much quieter location than most South Beach hotels, so your night’s sleep – or day’s sleep, you party animal! – will be more peaceful and less subject to noise interruptions.

Sunny enclosed courtyard
Large hot tub on-site
On-site French restaurant (with room service)
Complimentary Wi-Fi and in-room Netflix

6) Kimpton Angler’s Hotel

front of Kimpton Angler's Hotel, Miami Beach

With its lush tropical gardens buffering its guests from the white-hot bustle of the South Beach streets, The Kimpton Angler’s Hotel has all the feel of a serene desert oasis. This low-key 46-room property also has a top-notch restaurant and a small but well-groomed and always peaceful pool and courtyard. Other surrounding properties in the neighborhood do offer more features and amenities, but the Angler should be your go-to choice if the only thing you really care about – other than your party plans – is having a hotel room that is more adult than college dorm.

Spacious Wallace Tutt-designed rooms
HDTVs plus surround sound in each room
Central location to main South Beach drag
Free passes to Miami Life Center’s yoga classes (1 block away)
Complimentary Wi-Fi

7) Marseilles Hotel

In the heart and soul of Miami Beach, the 111-room Marseilles Hotel combines historic art deco charm with modern sophistication and comfort. It is elegant yet unpretentious, and bursting at the seams with vibrant color patterns. Proximity to the beach is the main selling point of Marseille, but a relatively large outdoor pool with lots of seating is certainly a plus. Brightly decorated rooms come with coffee makers and electronic safes, and some of the rooms even have small balconies to take in Miami cityscape views and jetted tubs. For a higher energy experience, you can check out the best pool parties in Miami here.

Beach loungers and umbrellas (included in resort fee)
Contemporary, rooms with hairdryers, flat-screen TVs, and AC
Attractive pool lined by loungers and daybeds
Casual all-day American restaurant and a backyard bar
Daily happy hour with free cocktails
Meeting room and business center
On-site gymnasium

8) National Hotel

Designed by Roy France, one of the Art Deco period’s foremost architects, National Hotel was one of the grandest luxury hotels on Miami Beach when it opened in 1940. In 1997, new owners and management restored and reopened the hotel, which today stands asa historical landmark and treasure in the heart of ritzy South Beach. The National Hotel is hard to beat when it comes to location – a stone’s throw from the sand and rolling waves – but it’s got plenty of style and amenities as well. The tower’s 116 rooms provide sweeping views of downtown Miami across to the Atlantic Ocean, with cabanas and artist-inspired suites lining Miami’s longest infinity-edge party pool. The poolside Aqua Club is a prime pre-game prelude to a long night of South Beach partying, with specialty cocktails and classic favorites available.

Expansive pool deck and swimming pools
Direct beach access
24-hour concierge
Great on-site fitness center + yoga classes
On-site restaurant

9) Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel

Built in 1948 and acquired by the Kimpton hotel chain in 2011, the 186-room Surfcomber Hotel is more affordable and more casual than most of its swankier neighbors. It’s always been more hip with the cool kids: with its giant rectangular pool and direct beach access, the hotel has become world-famous for its high-energy pool parties during big Miami weekends (it served as the headquarters for MTV during the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards and for Bud Light during 2010 Super Bowl XLIV). On the inside, the rooms are small but trendy with colorful surf-themed decor and a host of modern amenities, such as flat-screen TVs, smartphone docks, and in-room yoga equipment.

Large pool with waterfall and cabanas
2 stylish restaurants and a poolside bar
Rental chairs, umbrellas, and bar service on the beach
Rooms have flat-screen TVs, iHome docks, and cool surf-inspired decor
Fitness center with modern equipment
Free morning coffee, evening wine hours, in-room yoga equipment
In-room and cabana massages available

10) Townhouse Hotel Miami

Where beach house charm meets old-fashioned comfort in the heart of South Beach. Located steps from South Beach, the Townhouse is quite the minimalist property that offers guests bright, stylish rooms with little to add in terms of amenities. Still, it’s a property that’s cleaner, more modern, and less sketchy then some of the other South Beach hotels at the same price point. It’s also a great fit for clubheads and well-behaved party people, as it attracts a younger, hipper, and good-looking global crowd that takes advantage of the venue’s proximity to the famed Miami nightlife spots.

Direct beach access
Rooftop bar The Cape (managed by SBE)
On-site restaurant Ramen Baby Burger
Free continental breakfast
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Free coffee and water in the lobby

Miami is definitely a place where things can escalate quickly in terms of expenses, especially when the party picks up and the food and drink are flowing Nevertheless, it is still a magical landscape where fun can be had on the cheap if you know the lay of the land; your our friends and budget nightlife guides here at Discotech are an essential part of that equation. What are you waiting for? Download our app now – featured on BBC Travel and highly reviewed on Yelp! – in the App Store or Google Play.