Top 10: the best resort hotels in Miami Beach and South Beach
An insider's guide to the best resort hotels in Miami, from sprawling five-star complexes to boutique pads that pack a surprising punch with their facilities, including the best for beach access, ocean views, exquisite spas, a wide range of restaurants, rooftop bars, swimming pools, kids' clubs, cinemas and bowling alleys, in areas including Miami Beach and South Beach.
A perennial hotspot since the day it opened. Expect Mongolian fur-covered chairs, giant purple leather pouffes and Damien Hirst artworks. The labyrinthine poolscape offers inspired lounging, and there is also a bliss spa, tennis courts and a rooftop basketball court. Each room has a balcony overlooking the beach and spacious marble bathroom. There’s a Chinese haute cuisine restaurant, and Wall is a DJ-fuelled hotspot for late-night revelry.
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A theatrical fantasia in red, gold and tiger print, dusted with mind-bending contemporary art. It offers a different vignette at every turn, from the cathedralic entrance to the woolly mammoth dipped in 24 karat gold by the pool. The staff consistently deliver stellar service, and there’s a pool, daily yoga, cabaret theatre and spa. Suites are outfitted with bright turquoise velvet drapes seemingly plucked from a proscenium stage; bathrooms are like something out of Moulin Rouge. Los Fuegos restaurant is overseen by legendary Argentinean asado grill master, chef Francis Mallmann.
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An elegant Mediterranean Revival retreat that encapsulates Old Florida elegance, with its travertine floors, restored hand-painted frescos and lavish gardens. The property is situated on an 18-hole golf course, and also boasts a famous 600,000-gallon swimming pool, which is the largest in the continental United States, and a luxurious spa. There are plenty of eating options; Michelin-starred chef Gregory Pugin’s French haute cuisine Palme d’Or is the centrepiece.
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Every inch of this resort in posh Bal Harbour oozes money. Enormous crystal chandeliers, glass walls and high ceilings evoke a sense of Art Deco opulence and the days of grand old hotels. Service is top notch. The impressive facilities include two pools and one of Miami Beach’s best spas. All the rooms have ocean views and the kind of bathrooms you’ll want to keep. The most notable foodie offering is New York chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s J & G Grill; try the black truffle pizza or short ribs.
At the frontier of eco-luxury with a 900-metre 'living wall' composed of 11,000 varieties of local plants crawling up the fa?ade, and its own collection of electric cars. The main pool puts the ocean at mesmerising eye level. Rooms are some of the most spacious in Miami Beach and decorated with Colorado beetle kill pine wood. Dining options include tacos and craft cocktails by the pool, and a clubby steakhouse. There’s also a kids’ club, gym and spa.
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A seaside retreat in Sunny Isles Beach—just 12 miles north of South Beach. The design is Mediterranean opulence with golden chandeliers, copious marble and Spanish tiles. Views of the glittering Atlantic Ocean by way of the elegant pool deck steal the show. In addition to four oceanfront swimming pools, there’s a fitness centre and ESPA spa. Rooms are spacious with large balconies offering ocean vistas. Il Mulino New York does fine Italian fare and AQ by Acqualina offers fresh Mediterranean, so you’re never at a loss for a well-executed meal.
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All glamour, all the time, the Fontainebleau drips with it from the moment you set foot on its marble bow-tie floor and gaze up at three glittering chandeliers by Chinese contemporary artist Ai Weiwei. The lobby is anchored by the neon-pulsing Bleau Bar, and you can almost picture Frank Sinatra strolling by as he once did in the property’s heyday. Facilities include a massive freeform pool, spa, gym and nightclub. Beds are outrageously comfortable and oversized marble bathrooms have rainfall showers. With eight dining venues, including four signature restaurants, Fontainebleau is a foodie funhouse. Don’t miss Stripsteak for pork belly ‘instant bacon’ and miyazaki steak.
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This destination spa resort exudes romantic luxury. The floor-plan is expansive and flowing with impressive, sweeping views of the ocean. Service is professional and hands on. There are four pools, the largest spa in South Florida, a gym and multiple fitness studios. Rooms are extra large with a separate bedroom and living space, including a full kitchen. The Grill is the resort’s main restaurant, serving fresh Florida seafood with Asian influences.
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The Mandarin Oriental embodies Asian luxury, with dark-wood accents, bronze sculptures, and floor-to-ceiling windows offering views of the bay. The award-winning spa has a focus on holistic wellness. In addition to the pool and beach, guests can shop at the onsite boutique or take a cooking class. Rooms are luxurious with classical furnishings and spa-like bathrooms. Peruvian stunner La Mar by Gaston Acurio is the hotel’s best restaurant; try the sashimi-style tiraditos and whipped potato causas.
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Drum and bass among the palm trees about sums it up. The interiors marry Fifties glam with gold mosaic pillars and a pool table with golden balls. Sleek rooms have pale rugs, oak-panelled walls and porcelain tiles; it’s worth paying the extra $100 for an ocean view. The main culinary action is in The Market, Jean-Georges’s culinary concept divided into different stations, including seafood, raw bar, and charcuterie. Facilities include an illuminated ice rink, bowling alley, swimming pool and spa.
