Where to Stay in Miami? Neighborhoods and Areas to Look for Accommodations

Whether you are looking for relaxation, fun, adventure, or beauty, the city of Miami is always extraordinarily rich in interesting things. The great beaches, the excellent climate, and the historical, cultural, and social attractions can satisfy the most varied types of tourists (by the way, here are my suggestions on what to do in Miami). To make the most of your stay in this stimulating city of South Florida, it may be useful to have some advice on accommodation, so as to choose a strategic area without necessarily spending a lot of money.

As you may have guessed, each neighborhood in Miami has its own distinct personality, which means that choosing one area or another is not at all the same thing. In addition, Miami is a city rich in accommodation facilities and therefore offers numerous solutions: from the cheapest ones, such as hostels and B&Bs, to the most luxurious resorts, suites, and first-class hotels. As often happens in big cities, you pay for the position, rather than the service, with prices that go up in correspondence with the most popular centers. However, given the wide range on offer, whoever searches thoroughly can find excellent solutions at quite reasonable rates.

Introduction and criteria for your choice

Before seeing neighborhoods and best areas for where to stay in Miami and some recommended accommodations, here are 3 brief preliminaries on seasonality, types of structures, and travel.

Types of accommodation

In addition to the standard types of accommodations found in other cities, Miami offers something unique: the Art Deco hotels and boutique hotels on Ocean Drive, Collins Avenue and surrounding streets. These are charming, historic buildings where one has the impression of going back in time, even if the structures are often enriched by contemporary art galleries or boldly renovated with elements of the latest fashionable design.

In addition to these, there are sea-view suites, condhotels, and luxurious beach resorts that invade the waterfront from South Beach to Sunny Isles and beyond. There are also high-quality hostels – like the Freehand – with top-notch services and, although a bit more rare, are more affordable solutions: from simple hotels to B&Bs to some classic motels in the less central areas.

Best season to book in Miami

The high season in Miami coincides with the period from December to May: it is absolutely the most favorable period from a climatic point of view and also the most expensive. In the summer, when the weather becomes more sultry, it is low season in Miami: it goes without saying that in this period you can count on lower prices.

It remains true, however, that there are so many hotels in Miami that with a little effort you can always find a good deal. For more details on when to go, take a look at our article on Miami’s climate.

A note on travel

As mentioned, before choosing where to stay in Miami, it is important to have a general idea about the public transport system and the possibility of getting around by car, so you can choose an area close or well connected to the attractions. If you have a choice, since Miami is very easy to get around by car, the best option for moving around the city is actually to rent a car. For example, in the case of a vast and fascinating neighborhood like Coral Gables having your own vehicle becomes practically essential!

However, if a rental car is not for you, you should know that the public transport network is also well organized, even though it takes more time to move around and there are fewer rides towards the evening. The main tourist district, South Beach, can also be toured on foot or with a free shuttle service (Trolley): however, if you want to go further (which I strongly recommend) you can count on Metrorail trains, on the widespread bus service (Metrobus) and on the other free trolleys. For Downtown Miami and Brickell, on the other hand, you can also take the free Metromover, an elevated train that offers a pleasant panoramic adventure among the skyscrapers.

• For more details on how public transportation works I suggest you to read carefully our article on how to get around in Miami.

That said, let’s see what are the best neighborhoods to stay in Miami.

Places to Stay in Miami Beach

The beaches of South Beach, the Art Deco District, and the nightlife: the area of Miami Beach is absolutely one of the most appreciated and requested by travelers to Miami, as well as perhaps the most expensive. There is a dizzyingly high concentration of hotel facilities of all kinds here: let’s try to understand more and give you some specific tips!

Accommodations in South Beach

South Beach is only the southern segment of the city of Miami Beach but is often identified as the only one worth visiting. In fact, it is Miami’s most touristy neighborhood, and for many it is the focal point: Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue are two streets that absolutely deserve to be seen and experienced, both day and night.

Many hotels in the area are located in strategic points, most often near stores, restaurants and nightclubs, and especially at a short distance from the beach that opens up in front of Lummus Park. Moreover, staying in this area gives you the opportunity to walk along the charming Art Deco District, which boasts a unique architectural heritage, that projects us back in time thanks to the characteristic colorful facades of its hotels, caressed by palm trees and illuminated by neon signs.

But there’s more! It is also possible to stay overnight, in some of these historic hotels, but you have to be careful. Many of the Art Deco style hotels on Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue take advantage, charging high rates that do not always correspond to an adequate quality-price ratio. For this reason, I invite you to be wary of appearances and to read the reviews of the accommodations before making your choice. In our article dedicated to South Beach Miami we have already pointed out some hotels, but I suggest to have a look also to the following list, which includes historical hotels to satisfy many expectations:

• Casa Casuarina: If you choose one of the expensive suites at this opulent boutique hotel, you can claim to have slept in Gianni Versace’s house. It’s not just an expression: this luxurious palace with its magnificently decorated interiors was the residence of the Italian designer, who was tragically murdered here. The current management preserves its exceptional baroque appearance in an exemplary manner.
• Winter Haven: another iconic hotel on Ocean Drive, less luxurious than the previous one but with an unmistakable Art Deco façade, slender and embellished by suggestive night lighting. The rooms have been modernized and guarantee a high level stay. The panoramic terrace is noteworthy.
• Delano: this is one of the most prestigious and expensive boutique hotels on Collins Avenue. The sophisticated contemporary design and the play of light in the magnificent lobby are enough to convince you that you have made the right choice, at least from an aesthetic point of view. The garden with pool is equally luxurious and promises moments of great relaxation. [THE HOTEL IS TEMPORARILY CLOSED]
• Marlin Hotel: founded in 1939, the Marlin is one of the most striking hotels in the area, so much so that it’s hard for a tourist to resist photographing its original, richly decorated facade. If you’re not content to see it from the outside, you can book one of their rooms, which are usually very popular for the decor and services offered. Being on Collins Avenue, it’s just far enough away from the hustle and bustle of Ocean Drive.

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Accommodations in Central Beach and North Beach

Miami Central Beach (also known as Middle Beach) and North Beach are excellent solutions for those seeking the typical climate of Miami’s beaches, but want an atmosphere that’s a little less “crowded” than South Beach. Obviously, the two neighborhoods are not only sea and beach, but also include many discos and clubs that are more or less classy (especially on Collins Avenue), where you can sip a cocktail after a long day on the beach.

This area offers various possibilities in terms of type and price of the structures: in addition to less ambitious classic hotels, you can find prestigious beachfront resorts and boutique hotels in MiMO style, a trend from the fifties.

• Fontainebleau: this is probably Miami‘s most majestic hotel and the most eye-catching hotel on the entire north shore of South Beach. Founded in 1954, the Fontainebleau is a huge building of historical significance that has become a tourist attraction. If you are one of the lucky ones to stay here (and you have the money to do so!) you will feel like a VIP: you will enjoy the sublime level of services and unparalleled hospitality. There are comforts and amenities of all kinds (swimming pools, stores, disco-bars, restaurants, gyms, spas, etc.), so much so that if Miami didn’t have so much to offer you could practically stay in the hotel all day!
• 1 Hotel South Beach: from the kindness of the staff to the attention to detail in the preparation of common areas and rooms, through the services you are spoiled with (a desktop PC in the room, aperitifs on the terrace, the 4 pools etc. …), this large luxury hotel – built according to eco-sustainable principles – is one of the most popular in the area. A stay in elegant, minimalist rooms in this chic hotel is hard to forget!
• Hotel Baltic: small, quiet boutique hotel in a fairly decentralized area of North Beach, but strategic and away from the chaos of the most touristy areas. It is located a short walk from the beach and is still well connected to the area of South Beach. The owner’s welcome is memorable!

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Places to Stay in Coral Gables

Coral Gables is a residential neighborhood. It is so beautiful that you want to live there, whatever it takes. The problem is that, as such, the locals hold on to it very tightly: we travelers – who will be content to stay there even if only for a few days – have to make do with what comes our way. There aren’t many hotels few and they are concentrated around the main streets (Miracle Mile, Coral Way, Le Jeune Road). Those looking for accommodation in a Mediterranean or colonial style house among the charming streets with Spanish names shaded by banyan trees will have to spend a considerable amount of money.

The most striking example of this is the luxurious Biltmore Hotel, an admirable work by George Merrick who conceived the entire urban project of the district, transforming an agricultural area into the most exclusive district of Miami. Here are some targeted tips, but you’ll find more in our article dedicated to Coral Gables.

• Biltmore Hotel: This is one of Miami’s most iconic structures, so grand that it is visible and recognizable from blocks away. This luxury hotel, inspired by Seville’s Giralda (with better results than Downtown Miami’s Freedom Tower), is accessed via a tree-lined avenue crowned by a fountain. The Moorish-style interiors are so precious that they attract even tourists who can’t afford the room rates (if anything, an afternoon tea…!). The immense swimming pool is a true paradise, among the largest I have ever seen in a hotel.
• Hotel St. Michel: a couple of streets north of the Miracle Mile, the commercial heart of Coral Gables, is this small historic European-style hotel dating back to 1926, which is really very nice. The refinement of the interior blends perfectly with the modern layout of the rooms and common areas: in this way the hotel seems neither dated nor impersonal.
• Courtyard Miami Coral Gables: a less ambitious but good hotel, it has a rooftop swimming pool and well-kept and comfortable environments, starting with the spacious and equipped rooms. The price is more affordable than the other two, but remains fully within the standards of the neighborhood and Miami.

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Places to Stay in Downtown Miami and Brickell

Business meetings are not the only reason to stay in the financial district of Miami: although it is certainly not the best area of Miami, Downtown has the particular charm of verticality, typical of the great American metropolises. Let’s take Brickell, in my opinion the best part of the area: there are luxury hotels, resorts and more affordable aparthotels that give the opportunity to have rooms with a view of the bay, obstructed by the skyscrapers that rise up in the Miami sky.

Some recommended accommodations:

• OB Suites: Want some advice? Ask for a suite on the higher floors. In addition to all the amenities you need, you can enjoy an impressive view of Downtown, South Beach and Key Biscayne from the private terrace: both day and night, the view is really exciting. The structure is themed “Broadway” but has no particular pretensions of style: in addition to the gym, sauna and various conference and relaxation rooms, on the ninth floor there is a large outdoor pool and a Jacuzzi that will allow you to bathe among the palm trees, in the shadow of Brickell’s skyscrapers. More than reasonable prices, especially if you book on Expedia with the flight+hotel package. [THE HOTEL IS TEMPORARILY CLOSED]
• Fortune House Hotel Suites: this aparthotel is the southern part of Brickell. Like the previous one, it is a good choice for those who want to take advantage of a 4-star structure while spending the right amount.The apartments are of considerable size, equipped with the classic comforts, together with the inevitable pool, jacuzzi, a restaurant, fitness area …
• YVE Hotel Miami: it is difficult in this area of Miami to find mid-range hotels that are of a good standard and do not cost an exorbitant amount. The YVE could meet the criteria of those who don’t want to spend astronomical amounts of money. The location is very central, in the heart of Downtown: just in front there is the green space of Bayfront Park and the Bayside Marketplace, with many places to shop.

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Places to Stay in Coconut Grove

As Villa Vizcaya and Barnacle Historic State Park attest, the small neighborhood of Coconut Grove has always appealed to wealthy Americans, who built their expensive waterfront residences here. Some views of Coconut Grove may be reminiscent of nearby Coral Gables, while others show more restraint or a more youthful appearance (it’s a college area). Certainly, those who find lodging in Coconut Grove can count on the tranquility and peace of a residential neighborhood that is both well-kept and strategically located for visiting Miami.

Most of the structures are located near the port and the commercial area: there are hotels, but mainly apartments with sea views.

• Mutiny Luxury Suites: large rooms perfectly equipped, with a balcony overlooking the bay and the small harbor of Coconut Grove. There is no shortage of typical aparthotel amenities, such as a swimming pool, sauna, hot tub, fitness room, restaurant, etc.
• Hampton Inn Coconut Grove: close to the sea and with no pretensions of great luxury, the Residence Inn offers courteous and functional hospitality for discovering the most lively area of the Coconut Grove district and the rest of Miami. Featuring a swimming pool and rooms of a satisfactory standard.

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Places to Stay in Key Biscayne

In my experience, the choice of Key Biscayne is not to be discarded: this small island in front of Downtown/Coconut Grove – easily accessible via the Rickenbacker Causeway, a road that crosses Biscayne Bay – is a true oasis of tranquility a stone’s throw from the hustle and bustle of the tourist areas of Miami. The central part of the island, the so-called Village of Key Biscayne, hosts a series of resorts and hotels a few steps from the sea; at a short distance there are all the services you need (supermarkets, stores, restaurants…) and a couple of beautiful and very different beaches: to the north the huge and paradisiacal Crandon Beach, to the south the wild and uncontaminated Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park.

The structures in this area are very exclusive, but do not have the refined aesthetic characteristics of the historic hotels of South Beach or Coral Gables. For this reason it is worth looking for functional accommodation at good value for money.

• Coral Reef at Key Biscayne: This interesting property offers spacious, quality suites, well equipped and functional but without pretensions of luxury. The Coral Reef, whose rooms all face a central courtyard with a pool, also gives access to a private beach. Rates are affordable, certainly below the island’s average.
• The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne: a top-notch hotel, overlooking the sea. In addition to two swimming pools, sauna, gym and a huge selection of services aimed at wellness and relaxation, there are four restaurants (who wants to eat a gourmet burger with your feet in the sand?). Rooms have all the luxurious amenities you’d expect from a 5-star hotel overlooking the ocean.

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Places to stay in Sunny Isles Beach

Sunny Isles Beach, with its beautiful seaside villas and private beaches, is located a little further from Miami, north of North Beach in the direction of Fort Lauderdale: that’s why it is considered a bit of a second choice for those who want to stay in the heart of Miami. Not particularly brilliant from the point of view a lively nightlife, it is however one of the most envied neighborhoods in terms of lifestyle.

The area is full of resorts and aparthotels that line the entire waterfront and usually offer services at the height of Miami Beach. However, there is also no shortage of less intrusive facilities that can provide a more “domestic” experience. Here are some examples of where to stay:

• Trump International Beach: as usual, the chain founded by Trump offers luxurious suites in its classy resort, equipped with spa, pools, relaxation areas and all kinds of entertainment. The stay in this hotel equipped with all amenities and services is worthy of a sheikh on vacation, but after all you are in Sunny Isles….
• Sunny Isles Apartments: those who are more comfortable in an apartment with all the amenities can opt for these apartments near the beach, which are less ambitious and especially less expensive than Trump’s resort. Note the presence of free parking and an outdoor pool.

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Places to Stay in Miami while not spending too much

In Miami, there is a considerable number of accommodations, so it is not difficult to find hotels, apartments, or Bed & Breakfast establishments on offer, provided, however, that you organize your stay in time. Do not leave it until the last minute or you will risk finding high prices and congested structures that have no need to fill their rooms.

On Booking the offers vary from period to period*, but the good quality accommodations that I have reported below (divided by area) can usually be booked at a good price:

• James Hotel (South Beach)
• Ocean Spray Hotel (Central Beach)
• Seaside All Suites Hotel (North Beach)
• Extedend Stay America – Miami (Coral Gables)
• Eurostars Langford (Downtown)
• Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Marco Polo Beach Resort (Sunny Isles Beach)

*To find more deals, remember to put the price range you want to spend and a guest rating of no less than “7= from good and up” in Booking ‘s search filters. Expedia’s flight+hotel packages allow you to save interesting amounts on the combined purchase of the two services. You can check it yourself at the link below!

Miami flight+hotel deals

If you’re looking for a motel in Miami, there aren’t that many and in most cases, the structures are not great for the quality of service and cleanliness. Here is a list of motels, located almost all in suburban locations.

Zone map