11 Best Beachfront Hotels in Miami

Magic City Miami offers something for every kind of traveler. This Floridian gem has it all, be it natural beauty in the form of the Everglades, Michelin-starred restaurants and celebrity-filled clubs, or stunning stretches of pristine sand. In fact, Miami’s best resorts reflect these diverse tastes, especially the much sought-after oceanfront digs. The many options for a beachfront hotel in Miami that line the 35-mile Florida oceanfront of Greater Miami Beach are inspiring, rejuvenating, and nothing less than impressive. When you’re looking for gorgeous upscale hotels or pretty-as-a-picture ones with a boutique vibe, you’ll find just about every beachfront hotel here. What’s more, these hotels range across budgets, sizes, and sensibilities and include everything from adults-only hotels to family-friendly ones. If that wasn’t enough, they all have amazing selling points that range from excellent cuisine to fabulous amenities. And, of course, they all have a drop-dead gorgeous beachfront.

With Miami being one of the most visited cities in the USA, it’s no surprise that it has so many hotels to choose from. To that end, here are our 11 picks for the best beachfront or oceanfront hotel in Miami.

Faena Hotel Miami Beach

11

We begin with what is not just a premium beachfront hotel in Miami but is also one of Miami’s most expensive hotels, the Faena Miami Beach. Alice in Wonderland comes alive at this hotel, which boasts a massive gilded wooly mammoth as part of its exciting art collection. You’re spoiled to the hilt in the spacious accommodations, which have goose-down beds and Carrara marble bathrooms with huge floor-to-ceiling windows looking out to the ocean. However, the best feature of most rooms is the furnished balconies, which run along the length of the room and afford jaw-dropping views of the Atlantic Ocean.

While we’d like you to get out and explore Miami, there’s no shortage of amazing things to indulge in at the Faena. The crown jewel is the 100,000 square feet of pristine white sand beach that lies just down a sandy walkway from the cabana-dotted pool complex, both of which have full service. If you’re craving pampering, the 22,000-square-foot spa, which has one of the East Coast’s largest hammams, awaits you. Wrapping up the amazing waterfront offerings at this oceanfront hotel in Miami, Florida, is seven restaurants and bars, including Pao by James Beard Award-winning chef Paul Qui.

Carillon Miami Wellness Resort

10

One of the best oceanfront beach hotels in Miami, Florida, Carillon Miami Wellness Resort, is also one of the best Miami Beach hotels. This resort sits on the white sand shores of North Beach and is all about the “luxury of wellness.” The hotel might have opened in 1958 as the Canyon Ranch and Spa, but all rooms and suites here feel like luxury apartments today. Whether you choose one or two-bedroom digs, they all have massive bathrooms with deep-soaking tubs, spacious living rooms, and full kitchens. While not all of them have furnished balconies, they have floor-to-ceiling windows with garden views, partial sea views, or complete sea views. It goes, without a doubt, that the oceanfront suites are the best “seats” in the house!

Whether you’re a honeymooning couple or a family with kids, the centerpiece of all activity is the pristine beach right out front. Multiple paved and sandy pathways lead from the pool complex to the beach, with miles-long paved running and walking paths. Besides this, the four pools and two-storied state-of-the-art gym make up the rest of the property. It’s no wonder that the Carillon is also one of the most luxurious hotels in Miami Beach.

The Betsy

9

South Beach is Betsy, and the Betsy Hotel is South Beach – and also the best beachfront hotel in Miami! Hailed as one of South Beach’s best boutique hotels, this hotel sits at the northern end of Ocean Drive. Its colonial facade is an absolute standout, but the real talking point is the beach access. You can walk right across Ocean Drive, down a sandy pathway surrounded by a green park, and you’re right on the beach! A bevy of beach attendants gets you all settled with umbrellas, chairs, and anything else you might need.

Back at the hotel, the rooftop ocean deck loaded with sunbeds, beach chairs, and a bar is a perfect place to unwind. Moreover, there are two pools, one on the rooftop and one on the ground floor – so take your pick. Two restaurants, a steak and seafood and a modern bistro take care of all food cravings.

If you were impressed by the amenities, wait till you see the rooms and suites, especially the oceanfront ones. The suites are like palaces, especially the corner one with Ocean Drive and Miami Beach views. Personal mini libraries and Carrera marble bathrooms add a touch of luxury and indulgence, with Malin + Goetz products adding to the charm.

Four Seasons Hotel at the Surf Club, Surfside

8

The Four Seasons Hotel at the Surf Club, Surfside, is one of the most celebrity-ridden oceanfront beach hotels in Miami, Florida. Think the Shah of Iran, Wallis Warfield Simpson, Elizabeth Taylor, and Winston Churchill, who rented two cabanas, one for napping and drinking Prohibition-era drinks and one to paint in! One of the hotel’s best features is the direct beach access, which lies across from the three swimming pools at the property. The main restaurant serves delicious Mediterranean cuisine, while the Surf Club is famed for its seafood and stunning water views.

Despite its glass-and-steel exterior, the rooms and suites at this oceanfront hotel in Miami, Florida, are exquisitely beautiful, calm, and minimalist. What’s more, they’re very thoughtfully designed, so much so that you can see the sea from the shower! The best is the Oceanfront room, where the massive floor-to-ceiling sliding doors lead out to the furnished alfresco balcony overlooking the beach. Could there be anything better?

1 Hotel South Beach

7

1 Hotel South Beach is the most romantic beachfront hotel in Miami and perfect for couples looking to soak up some sun. This hotel boasts SoBe’s largest rooftop pool (also adults-only), excellent dining options, lush landscapes, and some of Miami’s most spacious digs. Your sun-kissed getaway is made all the better with 600 feet of pristine beach that’s dotted with daybeds and chaise lounges. The four pool options are heavenly, with the adults-only rooftop pool being the crown jewel and SoBe’s largest. Your taste buds are also spoilt for choice with eight drinking and dining options, including a rooftop restaurant and a sea-to-table one.

The naturally-inspired theme continues into the rooms and suites; think glass terrariums, hemp-blend mattresses, recycled pine headboards, and driftwood walls. Couples will love the Ocean View King With Balcony the best, with an open design yet clearly demarcated areas for lounging and sleeping. The best bit? The wraparound couch looks right out the balcony door.

Loews Miami Beach Hotel

6

The Loews Miami Beach Hotel is one of the best oceanfront beach hotels in Miami, Florida, especially for families. The hotel takes its ‘Loews Loves Families’ tagline seriously, with 4-12-year-old kids having their kid zone with half/full-day programs. It’s no wonder it’s one of the best family hotels in Miami Beach. But that’s not all. The rooms and suites are large enough for families of all sizes and equipped with cutting-edge in-room amenities such as smart TVs and marble bathrooms.

Your days begin with an extensive in-room breakfast menu, including a wonderful kids’ menu that’ll keep your little ones happy all day long. The lavish Soak pool club now has adults-only cabanas, a dedicated concierge, a daybed, two lounge chairs, and covered seating areas. You also have five restaurant and bar areas to choose from to dine at, and your kids won’t be bored either. The best bit is that the huge freeform pool area has a short sandy walkway that leads directly to the pristine beachfront, where you can spend all day.

Fontainebleau Miami Beach

5

For gay travelers who’re looking for a beachfront hotel in Miami, their search ends at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach. This oceanfront hotel in Miami, Florida, is one of the best beach hotels in Miami for LGBTQ travelers for more reasons than one. For one, the onsite Lapis Spa with mineral pools and showers is a famous cruising spot on the Miami scene. What’s more, the presence of the LIV nightclub, fitness center, tons of pools with cabanas, and a Vegas-meets-Art Deco vibe makes it very popular with the LGBTQ set. It’s no surprise that it’s one of the top gay-friendly hotels in Miami Beach. The cherry on top is the direct private beach access from anywhere in the pool area via wooden walkways. A dozen drinking and dining options wrap up the host of amenities here.

There are many Tresor Bay and oceanfront rooms and suites to choose from, of which the oceanfront rooms have million-dollar beach views. Nevertheless, all rooms feature marble bathrooms and sexy design flourishes such as oversized armchairs, earth and white hues, and a definite coastal chic vibe.

W South Beach

4

If a ‘splashy Miami beachfront’ vibe is what you want, then W South Beach is one of the best beach hotels in Miami, Florida. This W outpost on the northern side of SoBe is a splashy, sun-soaked high-energy nightlife resort destination, and it’s easy to see why. For one, it boasts one of the liveliest pool scenes in the region, complete with bottle service in the cabanas and designer swimsuits. What’s more, the pool complex also leads down to the beach, which is equally lively. Contrary to them is the Away Spa, a light-filled bastion of pampering and calm and all about uber-natural therapies and treatments. Two celebrity chef restaurants and a sultry bar take care of all the drinking and dining pangs. The best bit? Every guest is paired with a dedicated “W Insider” concierge who facilitates all requests from yacht excursions to dinner reservations.

What’s great about the 400 rooms here is that they’re SoBe’s largest guest rooms, and every last one of them has expansive ocean views and balconies. Moreover, they are all decked out in shaded teals and soft corals, neutral textures and hues, and beach house-style millwork. High-tech mod-cons such as futuristic lights, flatscreen TVs, etc., complement them. The “Oasis” suites with living rooms that have expansive beach views are perhaps the best of the lot.

The Miami Beach EDITION

3

The gorgeous beachfront hotel in Miami that is the Miami Beach EDITION is one of the best beach hotels in Miami. It finds the ultimate balance between quirky and classy, whether it’s the rooms or the amenities. The private beach access from anywhere in the pool complex is the ultimate feature here. With umbrellas, daybeds, and service, lounging on the beach is one of the best things to do here. If you want to relax waterside but not leave the property, the pool complex, one of Miami’s best hotel pools, is where you should be. With five fabulous bars and restaurants, along with excellent in-room dining, chances are you won’t leave the hotel at all!

The rooms and suites, especially the oceanfront ones make it all the better. There’s something irresistible about the word “beach bungalow,” and the Miami Beach EDITION has seven varieties of those! The Bungalow Poolview King, which is perfect for couples, has a massive balcony with stunning oceanfront views. It’s no surprise that this hotel is also hailed as one of Miami’s most romantic hotels.

Acqualina Resort & Residences on the Beach

2

Acqualina Resort & Residences on the Beach is one of the most peaceful oceanfront beach hotels in Miami, Florida. At this resort, you have all the beach and beauty and none of the crowds, as it lies on Sunny Isles beach. So, you’re close enough to SoBe without worrying about it being crowded everywhere. What’s more, this resort is one of those rare best beach hotels in Miami that sits on the sands. This means you directly step off the hotel’s landscaped lawns onto the beach itself! Whether you lounge on the plush daybeds by the three pools or the beach, beach butlers ferry about, bringing you cocktails and snacks. Three restaurants have three different kinds of vibes and serve three different kinds of cuisines.

You’ll absolutely love the rooms at this resort, which have massive balconies adding at least 100 square feet to their sizes! Private bars aside, the rooms also have marble bathrooms with bathtubs, a slew of mod-cons, and gorgeous wingback chairs on the balcony. If there was ever the perfect beach life, this would be it.

The Setai, Miami Beach

1

We’ve reserved the best for the last; behold the Setai Miami Beach, the absolute best beachfront hotel in Miami. This hotel has many titles, including one of Florida’s most romantic hotels and also one of the most expensive hotels in the US! It’s easy to see why; the Setai has its own private stretch of sand, which you can access from anywhere in the hotel. What’s more, you can chill out on a daybed all day long and sip on drinks and snacks from the Setai Beach Kitchen. Furthermore, the trio of infinity pools have different temperatures, catering to guests from all over the world; you almost feel like Goldilocks! Ah, luxury. Three restaurants and bars ensure that you have a different experience every time you eat or drink.

The rooms and suites blend SoBe’s Art Deco style with beach chic, with aesthetic inspirations from Asia. But you’ll also find plush Swedish beds, Frette linens, sleek tech and gadgets, and calming bathrooms with deep-soaking bathtubs, rain showers, and Acqua di Parma bath products. Did someone say luxurious romance? We think so too.

Recommended Beach Bars/Restaurants in Miami

• Garcia’s Seafood Grille & Fish: Eating seafood with water views is the ultimate experience in Miami – and Garcia’s is the place to do that. Grab a waterfront seat and soak up views of the Miami River and dig into delicious fried oysters, Ceviche “Vuelve la Vida,” Fried Calamari, and Mahi-Mahi with Shrimp in a Peruvian Sauce.
• The Lido Bayside Grill: Sip on rose as you din on delicious vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free dishes at Lido, the Standard hotel’s in-house restaurant. Soak in the enviable bayside views and sample the ice-cold frosés, healthy juice drinks, and the Japanese izakaya-style menu.

Recommended Things To Do in Miami

• Miami 1.5-Hour Evening Cruise on Biscayne Bay: One of the best ways to experience the city lights of Miami is to board a cruise boat on the waters of Biscayne Bay. Watch Miami come to life when the sun goes down, and the city lights come on. What’s more, you also get to sip on a beverage of choice as you soak in views of the Miami River, South Beach, Bayside, and Millionaire’s Row.
• Miami Sightseeing Speedboat Tour: Hop on board a 45-minute power catamaran offshore adventure, “Miami Vice” style. Settle yourself on a plush seat of the luxurious boat and cruise along the Miami Coastline, passing some of its best sights.

Best Beach Areas in Miami

Miami “is” the beach, but it has some excellent beach neighborhoods that travelers love staying in. We begin with the absolute best beach area of Miami, which is South Beach. This densely populated neighborhood, affectionately called SoBe, is an attractive place all about miles of beaches and that famous Floridian sunshine. Besides that, SoBe also has some of the world’s most stunning Art Deco architecture. Next, there’s Miami Beach’s Mid-Beach neighborhood, which runs along the Atlantic shore. It is perhaps most famous for its gorgeous three-mile sand strip lined with cafes, cocktail bars, and plush resorts.

Thirdly, there’s the stunning Key Biscayne, which is linked to the mainland via the Rickenbacker Causeway. It might feel like a million miles away from SoBe, but the “village” residential section is where all the action is. Here, you’ll find everything from amazing hotels to cafes and restaurants. Finally, there’s the 1920s Mediterranean fantasy of Coral Gables, which is all about Art Deco and retro Mission Revival villas and leafy streets. One of its highlights also includes some of the best beach hotels in Miami, Florida.