Hotels in Miami

Staying in Miami

Miami splits into two worlds separated by the bay. On one side, Miami Beach, an island of beaches, Art Deco hotels and large resorts, where you can live on foot between the sea, the terraces and the shops. On the other, the city proper: Downtown and Brickell with their towers, the cruise port, then greener residential neighbourhoods such as Coral Gables and Coconut Grove. The choice is first between these two shores, then according to the pace you want: buzz, rest or business.

The climate sets the calendar. Winter is the high season: dry, mild and in great demand, especially over the year-end holidays. Summer is hot, humid and stormy, and coincides with the hurricane season, which runs from summer to autumn; hotels are then more available, but keep some flexibility in your dates. Miami is also a car city: outside Miami Beach and the centre, you mostly get around by taxi, ride-hailing or rental car, and hotels often charge for parking. Spanish is as common as English.

Where to stay in Miami

• South Beach

  The southern tip of Miami Beach: the Art Deco façades of Ocean Drive, a wide beach, restaurants and nightlife. Hotels of every size, often in historic buildings with compact rooms; very lively, sometimes noisy at night.

• Mid-Beach and North Beach

  Further north on the island: large beachfront resorts with pools, serviced beaches and kids' clubs, in a calmer atmosphere. The choice for families and relaxing stays.

• Downtown and Brickell

  The business centre and its towers: recent hotels, restaurants, the bayfront and the cruise port close by. No beach on site, but a good base for a cruise or a business trip.

• Coral Gables and Coconut Grove

  Leafy residential neighbourhoods south of the centre: quieter hotels, tree-lined streets, a marina and cafés. Pleasant with family, but a car is almost essential.

Good to know before you book

• Read the extra charges: in Miami, the 'resort fee' and parking are often added to the displayed rate, especially in the large beach hotels.
• Without a car, stay in South Beach or the centre, where you get around on foot and by public transport; elsewhere, plan a rental or ride-hailing for every outing.
• For a cruise, sleep in Downtown or Brickell the night before boarding: the port is close by and you avoid the traffic coming from the island.

Questions about Miami

Frequently asked questions