Miami has long been a playground for design lovers, from its iconic Art Deco buildings to mid-century modern masterpieces lining its palm-fringed shores. Today, the city’s creative pulse is evolving, influenced by hotspots like the trendy Wynwood District. With speakeasies and glass-bottom rooftop pools, we’ve hand-picked nine of Miami’s chicest boutique hotels. (Take advantage of our guide to Miami’s top affordable abodes with starting rates under $250 per night.)
The Setai, Miami Beach
Celebrating 20 years in South Beach, The Setai is a legendary Miami Beach icon blending Art Deco history with Asian-style luxury. Housed in a landmark 1936 building, its 91 rooms, Ocean Suites, and Pool Villas feature minimalist Balinese textures, modernist touches, and sweeping ocean views. With over-the-top amenities, three temperature-controlled pools, and standout dining like Jaya and the new Japón, The Setai remains the pinnacle of elegance and sophistication.
Key Points: • Website • Rating: 5 Stars • Rooms: 156 • Airport: Miami International Airport (MIA) • Starting rate: $568/night | Amenities: • 3 swimming pools • Beachfront • Fitness center • Spa & Wellness Center • Yoga classes • 3 Restaurants & Bars |
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Esmé Miami Beach
Esmé Miami Beach melds Spanish-Mediterranean charm with a storied past, offering a chic hideaway on Española Way. Once an artists’ colony and later Al Capone’s gambling den, the boutique hotel now boasts 145 vibrant rooms with vintage decorations and exclusive suites like the Capone and Matanza. Guests can enjoy rooftop lounging, three distinct eateries, and the nostalgic Bamboo Room cocktail bar, making Esmé a stylish escape steeped in history and Miami flair.
Key Points: • Website • Rating: 4 Stars • Rooms: 145 • Airport: Miami International Airport (MIA) • Starting rate: $133/night | Amenities: • Rooftop swimming pool • Beach umbrellas & chairs • Room service • Good Breakfast • Fitness services • 4 Restaurants & Bars |
Casa Faena Hotel Miami Beach
Settled in Miami Beach’s lively Faena District, Casa Faena exudes the charm of a 1900s Spanish-themed inn. The hotel’s sunlit guest rooms and striking red-and-white facade subtly reflect its colonial-influenced motifs. Just steps from the artsy Faena District, the guesthouse’s CAMPO offers a health-conscious twist on Latin and New American cuisine.
Key Points: • Website • Rating: 5 Stars • Rooms: 169 • Airport: Miami International Airport (MIA) • Starting rate: $242/night | Amenities: • Free WiFi • 24-hour front desk • Terrace • Breakfast • 1 Restaurant & Bar |
Hotel Greystone
Situated along South Beach’s iconic Ocean Drive, Hotel Greystone embodies effortless beachside sophistication. The interiors feature whitewashed walls, woven accents, and beige-tiled floors that exude a laid-back yet chic vibe. Guests can enjoy the stylish rooftop pool and a complimentary courtyard café offering coffee and pastries.
Key Points: • Website • Rating: 4 Stars • Rooms: 91 • Airport: Miami International Airport (MIA) • Starting rate: $169/night | Amenities: • Outdoor swimming pool • Private beach access • Fitness center • 3 Restaurants & Bars |
The Betsy Hotel
Tucked away on the quieter end of Ocean Drive, The Betsy is a beloved South Beach boutique hotel. Bright, naturally lit rooms feature thoughtful details like marble bathrooms, walnut hardwood floors, and personal libraries. For an elevated stay, book the Skyline Penthouse, complete with a 1,000-square-foot wraparound terrace, a baby grand piano, and a dazzling Viennese chandelier—a piece with history, once gracing the Zimbabwe home of the hotel’s owning family.
Key Points: • Website • Rating: 4 Stars • Rooms: 61 • Airport: Miami International Airport (MIA) • Starting rate: $878/night | Amenities: • 2 swimming pools • Beachfront • Fitness center • Room service • 2 Restaurants & Bars |
The Gabriel South Beach
Ideally situated along Miami’s iconic Ocean Drive, The Gabriel South Beach is a refreshed Art Deco boutique stay with prime access to the beach. Guestrooms feature pale blue palm tree wallpaper, light-toned beds, and sunlit windows. Guests can bask in the sun at two outdoor pools, including a glass-bottom rooftop pool with stunning Atlantic views.
Key Points: • Website • Rating: 4 Stars • Rooms: 132 • Airport: Miami International Airport (MIA) • Starting rate: $254/night | Amenities: • Rooftop swimming pool • Beachfront • Beach access • Fitness center • 1 Restaurant & Bar |
Soho Beach House
A popular gathering spot during events like Art Basel, Soho Beach House—a 49-room gem and the brand’s first beach house—occupies a 1940s tower on Collins Avenue in Miami Beach. While the blue-striped daybeds around the main pool are highly sought after, especially on weekends, there are plenty of other spots to relax and enjoy the sun, from the private beach’s lounge chairs to the eighth-floor rooftop terrace with a plunge pool.
Key Points: • Website • Rating: 5 Stars • Rooms: 49 • Airport: Miami International Airport (MIA) • Starting rate: $575/night | Amenities: • Rooftop swimming pool • Beach access • Spa & Wellness Center • Fitness Center • 2 Restaurants & Bars |
The Goodtime Hotel
The Goodtime Hotel, part of Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio, is a vibrant South Beach escape created by David Grutman, Pharrell Williams, and designer Ken Fulk. Its whimsical décor—think tufted couches, rotary phones, and a pink-striped rooftop pool—creates an Instagram-worthy background. Complete with its playful outdoor restaurant and bar, Strawberry Moon, this characterful retreat promises guests a truly “good time.”
Key Points: • Website • Rating: 4 Stars • Rooms: 266 • Airport: Miami International Airport (MIA) • Starting rate: $129/night | Amenities: • Outdoor swimming pool • Private beach area • Fitness center |
1 Hotel South Beach
An oasis of sustainable luxury on Miami’s Atlantic Coast, 1 Hotel South Beach is an oceanfront haven for trendsetting travelers looking to capture the perfect shot at the upscale rooftop pool and bar. This five-star retreat boasts minimalist, coastal-inspired trappings, with sand-toned furnishings, natural wood-paneled walls, and leafy accents adding vibrant touches to its contemporary, beachy spaces.
Key Points: • Website • Rating: 5 Stars • Rooms: 426 • Airport: Miami International Airport (MIA) • Starting rate: $569/night | Amenities: • 3 swimming pools • Private beach area • Spa & Wellness Center • Fitness Center • Room service • 6 Restaurants & Bars |
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