What are the best Miami Beach luxury hotels? I receive this question regularly from clients and readers, and I attribute it in part to the fact that there are so few true luxury hotel options in South Beach. Here are my top three recommendations, followed by a couple that I do not recommend.
1. The Setai
The Setai is my top recommendation for Miami Beach. Yes, it's pricey, especially during peak periods, because currently it has no luxury competition if you want to be right on the beach. If you want an unparalleled view and are traveling as a family or with friends, I highly recommend the 2 Bedroom Ocean Front Suite. Amenities include Swedish made Duxiana beds, Frette linens, jacuzzi bathtubs, illy espresso maker and a fully equipped Sub Zero gourmet kitchen, not to mention house car transfers to nearby restaurants and shopping.
My only caveat? I'd recommend avoiding Christmas to New Year's, which is absolute peak season (this goes for Miami Beach in general) unless you're a regular returning client, because, as with other popular resorts in the Caribbean and Hawaii, returning guests receive priority when it comes to the best suites for the festive season.
Virtuoso Benefits
- Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
- Daily Buffet breakfast, for up to two in room guests, served in restaurant
- $100 USD Spa Services credit, to be utilized during stay
- (not combinable, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
- Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
2. Faena Hotel Miami Beach (Opening later in 2015)
I haven't yet added the Faena Hotel Miami Beach to The Top 2015 Luxury Hotel Openings, but I probably should, even though personally I'm not crazy about South Beach. Baz Luhrmann and his wife Catherine Martin are leading the design of the interiors (and even staff uniforms and cultural programming), which is to be old world Hollywood glamour, complete with an underground cabaret, which you can see in the promo video below.
Virtuoso Benefits
- Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
- Daily full breakfast, for up to two in room guests
- Virtuoso Amenity TBA
- Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
3. Metropolitan by COMO
Metropolitan by COMO is the first U.S. outpost of Singapore-based COMO Hotels and Resorts, which is better known for Uma by COMO in Bhutan and Parrot Cay by COMO in Turks and Caicos. As Metropolitan by COMO is in a renovated Art Deco building, rooms range from 330-392 square feet for entry level City View Rooms to the airy COMO Suite, at 1113 square feet, with beautiful ocean views and windows on three sides.
Virtuoso Benefits
- Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
- Continental breakfast daily, for up to two in room guests
- $100 USD Spa Services credit, to be utilized during stay
- (not combinable, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
- Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
Miami Beach Hotels I Don't Recommend
1. SLS South Beach
SLS South Beach is popular among the party crowd, but I just can't endorse a hotel that not only messed up my most recent client reservation but also has such tiny entry level rooms–just 252 square feet–yet has “seriously lavish” as its slogan. Not.
2. W South Beach
The W South Beach is often the go-to property for SPG loyalists, and appeals to twenty somethings that have never stayed at a true luxury hotel. To them, it's great. But scratch the surface and you'll find dated rooms and furniture, sloppy and/or arrogant service, high prices for mediocre food, and plenty of noise, especially if you're staying on the lower floors. Did I mention that the hotel is facing a lawsuit from a female guest who was physically attacked by hookers in the hotel bar, who mistook her for competition? Oh, and that underground investigators hired by the guest and her husband found that W Hotels actively enable prostitution?
What are your favorite Miami Beach luxury hotels?
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