Where to Stay in Miami, Florida: The Best Hotels & Areas

Miami is one of the world’s most intoxicating cities for travelers. But as the largest city in Florida, figuring out where to stay in Miami isn’t always easy.

Accommodations in Miami are as charismatic as the city itself. From South Beach and the Art Deco District in Miami Beach to Downtown and Midtown, the city’s top areas & neighborhoods are varied & exciting.

Tourists of all styles & budgets will find superb lodgings among the best hotels in Miami. Wherever you choose to stay, you’ll never be far from the city’s electric nightlife, white-sand beaches, and warm tropical waters.

Looking for the perfect Miami hotel for your holiday? Find your vacation bliss with this complete guide to the best places to stay in Miami, Florida!

Best places to stay in Miami, FL

There are a ton of fun things to do in Miami. And depending on your style & flair, there’s an ideal neighborhood to experience the city exactly how you want.

To relax and bronze on the beach, spend your nights in South Beach. Centered around Ocean Drive, the beachside district is the most famous area of the separate island city of Miami Beach. The streets of South Beach are loaded with hotels, boutique shops, trendy restaurants, and poppin’ nightclubs, many of which hide out in the area’s famed Art Deco buildings.

For delving into arts & culture, grab a room in & around Downtown Miami. Districts like Brickell and Midtown teem with art galleries, museums, and superb restaurants.

Looking to escape the buzz of the city? Plenty of other options await outside the city center, too. Enjoy Biscayne Bay breezes between luxury shopping trips in leafy Coconut Grove. Or find solitude in the seaside parks on the fringes of Key Biscayne.

The best areas to stay in Miami are:

• South Beach
• Miami Beach
• Downtown Miami
• Midtown / Wynwood / Design District
• Brickell

South Beach

Visiting Miami for the first time? Spending your nights in South Beach is never a bad idea. Occupying the southern third of Miami Beach, the area defines the Miami travel experience.

South Beach is known for its pristine, white-sand beaches, and warm, turquoise waters. One of the city’s first developed areas, South Beach also has legendary restaurants and fun, vibrant nightlife centered around the iconic Ocean Drive. In the chic neighborhood, you may even spot a celebrity or two.

Only got 24 hours in Miami? Spend the day exploring the Art Deco Historic District, walking around South Pointe Park in the upscale South of Fifth (SoFi) neighborhood, and hitting up the beach for some relaxation (or water sports, you’re feeling more adventurous).

In the evening, explore South Beach’s food & drink scene. Eat delicious food at one of the many trendy eateries, sip cocktails at relaxed tiki bars, or hit up the nightclubs for some dancing & partying.

With its popularity, though, staying in South Beach doesn’t often come cheap. While there’s a handful of value-laden lodgings, most hotels and resorts push up towards the mid-range and luxury.

Miami Beach

Even outside its South Beach bubble, Miami Beach is one of the area’s top places to stay. Miami Beach is home to the world’s largest collection of Art Deco architecture. Over 800 beautiful Art Deco buildings comprise the city’s alluring Art Deco District.

Art & culture is at the forefront of Miami Beach. The area is home to museums, shopping malls, world-class restaurants, and music venues. You’ll even find a handful of recording studios. The neighborhood’s nightclubs are legendary, too, setting American trends since the 1950s.

Soak it all up by spending a day strutting around town. Shop for the latest fashions at the boutiques along the Lincoln Road Mall, savor delicious food & drinks at the restaurants and cocktail bars along Española Way, and breathe in the Atlantic Ocean breeze along the promenade.

Although the city is famed for its buzz, nature lovers aren’t left in the dark either. Besides its stunning beaches, the city’s within reach of several great parks. On the island itself, escape to the Miami Beach Botanical Garden. The 4-acre park encompasses a beautiful Japanese garden as well as native & tropical plants.

For a quieter experience, expand your accommodation search to North Miami Beach and Bal Harbour. Centered along Collins Avenue, North Beach offers a lower-key vibe than the neighborhoods to the south. You’ll still enjoy creature comforts in the residential area. Poke around, and you’ll find plenty of great Miami beaches, parks, and restaurants.

Likewise, Bal Harbour is a great destination for luxury travelers wanting to escape the chaos. This North Beach village is home to a couple of the best luxury hotels in Miami, with properties like the Ritz-Carlton Bal Harbour and the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort taking center stage. Thanks to its quieter vibes, it’s also a great place for families.

Miami Beach is close to the city’s cruise port. The modern PortMiami is one of the main US embarkation points for cruises into the Caribbean.

As you move northward towards North Beach, the accommodation selection thins out considerably. On the whole, hotel prices tend to be mid-range and above. If location is less of a concern, you might find a handful of cheaper hotels around Mid-Beach and North Beach.

Downtown Miami

Next to Miami Beach, Downtown Miami is the best place to stay in Miami for travelers. The downtown core delivers nearly everything South Florida’s biggest city is famous for. (And many of the best Miami hotels.)

Staying in Downtown Miami, you’ll enjoy a lively atmosphere with 24-hour entertainment set to a backdrop of towering skyscrapers. It offers world-class shopping, top-notch restaurants, bars & nightclubs.

Although you won’t find beaches downtown, the area isn’t short on seaside pleasures. Frolick to Biscayne Bay views at the lovely Bayfront Park or Maurice A. Ferré Park.

After breathing in sea views at the marina, duck in Bayside Marketplace; the popular marketplace is one of the top places to shop, eat & drink in the city.

Art & history buffs will also love the nearby Freedom Tower. Dating back to 1925, the landmark building shows off an eye-popping Spanish Renaissance Revival. Its art gallery hosts a wide variety of historical artwork from prominent Cuban artists.

Sports fans will be in luck here, too. The Downtown area is home to FTX Arena, home of the Miami Heat of the NBA. If you’re visiting during basketball season, try to score some tickets to cheer on the home team.

If you’re keen to explore more, Downtown is also well-connected to the rest of the city by public transportation. The Metromover will whisk you around in a hurry, while the Metrorail system will get you a little further afield to destinations like Coral Gables and Coconut Grove.

Like its island neighbor over Biscayne Bay, Downtown Miami isn’t known for its budget-friendliness. Look further outside the city center to areas like Coconut Grove or Coral Gables for cheaper accommodation options.

Midtown / Wynwood / Design District

Art lovers and culture vultures should set their sights on Midtown, Wynwood & the Design District. Located north of the downtown core, the neighborhoods are famed for their arts & culture. They’re the perfect choice for travelers wanting to add a little cultural flair to their Florida road trip itinerary.

While roaming around the Wynwood area, don’t miss the Wynwood Walls. Located in the Wynwood Art District, the outdoor gallery showcases impressive street art. Its beautiful wall murals are painted by popular artists from around the globe on the facades of former warehouses.

Through the area, you’ll see shops and museums dedicated to modern fashion & design. Over 130 art galleries, showrooms, antique dealers, and theaters adorn the districts’ streets.

There’s a limited selection of accommodations around Midtown. What you’ll find, however, is often good quality and good value for central Miami. Both traditional lodgings and owner-rental apartments, condos, and homestays are available for booking.

Brickell

Located south of downtown, Brickell is Miami’s gleaming financial district. Its skyline is filled with office buildings, luxury condos, and some of the city’s finest luxury hotels.

If you’re traveling to Miami for business, you can’t beat staying in Brickell. The district teems with superb lodgings geared towards business travelers.

Luxury travelers will find plenty to love here, too. Brickell is home to some of the city’s finest restaurants and shopping. Give your cash a new home at Brickell City Centre, one of the city’s primer shopping destinations. The nearby Shops at Mary Brickell Village is also a great option for filling your suitcase with upscale fashion.

Other areas & neighborhoods in Miami

Coconut Grove

Located south of the city center, Coconut Grove is an upscale yet laid-back area. The leafy neighborhood is a wonderful place to explore, teeming with parks, cafes, and shops. You’ll even find a few of the city’s top tourist attractions and activities here, like the CocoWalk and Vizcaya Museum & Gardens.

Lining the waterfront, Coconut Grove is dotted with marinas, sailboats, and yacht clubs. “The Grove,” as it’s known by locals, is hip & energetic with an inviting vibe.

If you’re visiting Coconut Grove, don’t forget to stop at the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. Dating back to 1914, the iconic landmark estate is a glimpse back to turn-of-the-century South Florida. It’s one of the coolest places to see in Miami.

Little Havana

Known for its vibrant energy, mouth-watering food, and live music, Little Havana is one of the city’s coolest corners. The lively neighborhood sits just west of the downtown core.

Little Havana is known for its bright, vibrant energy, mouth-watering food, and live music. Celebrating Cuban culture is what this vibrant neighborhood is all about.

The action in Little Havana centers around Calle Ocho. Celebrating its Cuban culture, gorgeous murals and rare art line the streets. It’s also a great place to eat, showcasing the city’s best Latin American cuisine.

Key Biscayne

Need a quiet alternative to the mainland? Whisk yourself off to Key Biscayne. The small barrier island sits east of Coconut Grove across Biscayne Bay. For outdoor adventures and seaside pleasures, Key Biscayne is one of the top Miami side trips.

Even if Key Biscayne isn’t your top choice for where to stay in Miami, there’s plenty to experience. Dazzle at the white-sand beaches of Crandon Park and Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. Divers and snorkelers can explore the coral reef under its turquoise waters. History buffs, on the other hand, can check out its historic Cape Florida Lighthouse.

Both adults and children will also love exploring the unique sea creatures at the Miami Seaquarium on nearby Virginia Key.

Coral Gables

High prices in central Miami got you rattled? Extend your accommodation search to Coral Gables. Located southwest of downtown, Coral Gables offers better value than the city center. Of course, it’s a trade-off; you’ll be at least a 20- to 30-minute drive from the action. (Or more in heavy traffic.)

Even so, the community of Coral Gables has a few charms of its own. Coral Gables is famous for its Venetian Pool. Built in 1923 out of a rock quarry, the historic swimming pool is fed by underground spring water and has been enjoyed by locals for almost a century. Today, the pools have been expanded to feature waterfalls, lookout towers, and a bridge.

The shopaholics in your travel group should spend some time browsing the boutique stores on the Miracle Mile, the main thoroughfare of downtown Coral Gables.