The 12 best hotels in Miami's South Beach to soak up the sun, chill at the spa, or party all night

• These are the best hotels in South Beach, sorted by price from low to high.
• COMO Metropolitan Miami Beach
• Hotel Victor South Beach
• Kimpton Angler's Hotel South Beach
• The Standard Spa, Miami Beach
• Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel
• Hyatt Centric South Beach Miami
• Marriott Stanton South Beach
• Loews Miami Beach Hotel
• W South Beach
• 1 Hotel South Beach
• The Setai, Miami Beach
• The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach
• More on our methodology for selecting hotels
• FAQ: South Beach hotels
• Where is South Beach?
• Are hotels safe and open?
• What's the best hotel to stay in South Beach?
• What is there to do in South Beach?
• Do I need a car in South Beach?
• Is South Beach expensive?
• More of the best hotels in Florida

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• Miami's South Beach, also known as the Art Deco District, has over 100 hotels
• We selected the best hotels in South Beach based on our stays, amenities, dining, and beach access.
• Our best South Beach hotels are also affordable to many budgets, between $150 and $599 to start.

If you look at Miami's South Beach — one of the most famous architectural regions in the world — you'd be hard-pressed to realize it was once just a coconut farm. Now a booming party every night of the week, the Art Deco District is a stunning place to visit and stay, especially if you like a scene in addition to scenery. 

South Beach is a loosely shaped seven-square-mile diamond defined by 24th Street at the north end and the causeways to the west. Back in 1992 when I moved there, historic hotels were being renovated at an astronomical pace. Flash forward a few decades and The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau says that as of 2019, 133 hotels are in South Beach. As a local resident and travel writer, I've been in most of these hotels so many times, I've lost count. 

Some have been renovated and re-polished several times in the past 20 years, while others are brand new, including Pharrell Williams' The Goodtime Hotel and Moxy Miami South Beach.

With so much choice, we compiled the best hotels in South Beach whether you seek the beach, a party, a spa getaway, business, or a family vacation.

The best South Beach hotels were selected based on the following criteria:

Browse all the best South beach hotels below, or jump directly to a specific area:

• The best hotels in South Beach
• More on our methodology for selecting hotels
• FAQ: South Beach hotels
• More of the best hotels in Florida

These are the best hotels in South Beach, sorted by price from low to high.

COMO Metropolitan Miami Beach

Book COMO Metropolitan Miami Beach

Category: Boutique

Typical starting/peak prices: $150/$725

Best for: Solo travelers, couples, families, business travelers

On-site amenities: Restaurant, bar, pools, cabanas, private beach with umbrella and chair service, event/meeting spaces

Pros: Small and intimate, the COMO Metropolitan is a protected, historic property, and supplies authentic, albeit updated Art Deco flavor.

Cons: Located at the northern edge of South Beach, it's a good walk to Lincoln Road, Ocean Drive, and the rest of the main drags.

The only COMO brand hotel based in the mainland US, the Metropolitan is a lovingly renovated Art Deco property. The designers updated historic elements by matching original terrazzo with marble and enhancing the geometry of the building with interior design. As a result, the rooms are refreshing, accented in cool mints and grays and start at a decent 340 square feet.

The Metropolitan boasts beautiful water features including a rooftop hydrotherapy pool that makes for excellent sunset selfies. The main pool offers outdoor dining with tables set amongst lush greenery and lounge chairs. You can also head inside to the Southeast Asian-influenced Traymore, which is maintained by James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Schwartz, a local favorite. 

With only 74 rooms and connected to a private beach, the Metropolitan is a boutique hotel with a personable staff that makes it on-message to know its guests. Reviews consistently mention customer service as one of the main attractions, along with the beauty and serenity of the property. 

COVID-19 procedures are available here.

Hotel Victor South Beach

Book Hotel Victor South Beach

Category: Boutique

Typical starting/peak prices: $171/$769

Best for: Solo travelers, couples, families

On-site amenities: Pool, spa (ask about discount), fitness center, 24/7 business center, use of bicycles, beach access with use of beach chairs and towels, restaurant

Pros: Complimentary bicycles allow you to take your own Art Deco tour.

Cons: Ocean Drive. There, we said it. It can be wild and noisy, and certain times of year are worse than others. 

Like several luxury hotels situated on busy Ocean Drive, Hotel Victor sometimes gets dismissed because of its touristy location. That's a shame, because not only is this rescued Art Deco hotel sophisticated and charming, it recently underwent a Yabu Pushelberg redesign that has resulted in some really great features.

For instance, the standard, 300-square-feet King rooms don't contain ordinary beds. They're furnished with California King beds outfitted with custom 300-thread count SFERRA linens (wear the same brand's robes from the closet to match). Lutron Lighting systems provide digital Do Not Disturb signs, and the minibar stocks Dean and Deluca snacks and drinks. And the marble bathrooms don't just give you a steam shower or bath tub; they provide a combo of both, along with Gilchrist and Soames bath amenities.

Hotel Victor is home to fun and funky restaurant concepts including Sugar Factory American Brasserie and iLov305, owned pop star Pitbull. The resort also houses K'Alma Spa, the first US Peruvian Crystal Color Therapy Spa. This flagship location offers everything from a crystal chakra pathway to a hammam and meditation room.

COVID-19 procedures are available here.

Kimpton Angler's Hotel South Beach

Book Kimpton Angler's Hotel South Beach

Category: Mid-range

Typical starting/peak prices: $200/$350

Best for: Solo travelers, couples, families

On-site amenities: Restaurant, bar, adult-only ground-level pool, rooftop pool with sundeck, spa treatments, on-the-go beach bags, complimentary morning coffee and tea, evening wine hour, complimentary bikes, in-room yoga mats, free Wi-Fi, pets stay free, on-site parking and valet

Pros: Feeling the need to get fit? There's a yoga mat in every room, custom-designed Angler's bikes, and a pass program to OrangeTheory Fitness classes included with every resort fee.

Cons: This section of Washington Avenue is mostly parking for residents and has no large lot. Guests also had issues with a lack of valet support and baggage handlers.  

This property, not Art Deco but Mediterranean Revival, was the last to be redeveloped on South Beach. It was worth waiting for. With rooms that start at 400 square feet, views from the rooftop pool and sun deck, and a beach umbrella, towels, guide, and bag to pack up and take with you, it's clear this hotel was designed with amenities at the top of the mind.

The sustainable design of the rooms, minimalist and clean-lined, extends from bamboo flooring to Frette cotton sheets. The eye is drawn to the shapes and patterns of wood and metal accent pieces rather than a riot of colors. Every room, located in a court of buildings, has either a balcony or terrace and is ideal for pets, as all Kimpton properties are.

You don't have to leave this lovely space for spa or salon treatments. K'Alma Journeys comes to you, whether you're in-room or poolside, for everything from happiness therapies to pedicures. But you may want to wander down to the lobby or terrace for the complimentary morning coffee or hosted evening wine hour. And don't forget the Angler's Seawell Fish 'N' Oyster's excellent northeastern-style seafood, or Minnow Bar's terrific craft cocktails, which are among the best South Beach venues of restaurant and lounges.

COVID-19 procedures are available here.

Read our full hotel review of Kimpton Angler's Hotel South Beach

The Standard Spa, Miami Beach

Book The Standard Spa, Miami Beach

Category: Luxury

Typical starting/peak prices: $200/$749

Best for: Solo travelers, couples, adult families (no children), groups

On-site amenities: Grill, juice cafe, lounge bar with live DJ, pools, waterfall hot tub, spa, gym, free Wi-Fi

Pros: The pool area and body treatments get universal high marks, and many guests leave praise about the staff members, even using their names.

Cons: Guests say that rooms facing the main pathways are subject to noise from staff pushing rattling trolleys and that rooms lack basic sound-proofing. Other guests complained about the lack of ADA accessibility and outdated spa equipment.

Located on Belle Isle at the eastern end of the Venetian Causeway, The Standard, Miami is a beacon for those seeking a strong wellness sphere.

Tucked away from the party scene, the hotel features 100 rooms and a 12,500-square-foot spa with one of the biggest hammams in the country. The hydro-based amenities are quite remarkable, including a 103-degree Roman waterfall hot tub and a 50-degree Arctic plunge pool. Locals take advantage of these services as much as hotel guests do, including a range of treatments and classes.

When it comes to gest rooms, think organic. Everything from the bath products to the minibar snacks are either good for you or good for the planet. Down pillows and Egyptian linens ensure a great night's sleep, and a juice cafe greets you on the terrace in the morning with the correct nutrients.

The bad news is that the eight categories of rooms begin at just 230 feet, which is smaller than other comparable luxury hotels. The good news is that the gardens, spa, and bayside pools offer a compelling escape. 

COVID-19 procedures are available here.

Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel

Book the Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel

Category: Mid-range

Typical starting/peak prices: $219/$799 

Best for: Couples, families, groups

On-site amenities: Restaurants, bars, pool, beach, fitness center, outdoor spa, hosted evening wine hour, kids' program, morning coffee + tea service, complimentary PUBLIC Bikes, pet amenities

Pros: This historic hotel finished renovations in 2021, reimagining its large, outdoor spaces with social distancing in mind. So even after the pandemic ends, the wide-open expanse of pool deck, cabanas, High Tide Beach Bar and Grill, and landscaped areas are all inviting places to relax before you even get to the beach.

Cons: There just aren't that many pool lounges. Fighting for your right to tan can dampen the mood. Plus, the building has two distinct wings of rooms, and if you go in the wrong elevator, you'll find yourself eternally confused. 

Having completed a redo in 2021, the Kimpton Surfcomber is fresh and ready for guests. The decor takes Miami's nickname of American Riviera seriously, adding Calacatta marble, teak carvings, surfboard homages, and tropical Pucci-like prints. Inside, you'll feel like you're in the South of France as much as South Beach.

Rooms boast geometric patterns, interrupting a white-and-neutral palette, and offer a cool oasis from the heat outdoors. Yet outdoors is undeniably resisting. The revamped exterior boasts a beautiful pool that flows into a generous backyard filled with spots for vibing with nature. The Surfcomber is an original beach property, more long than narrow, that makes the most of its stunning surroundings. Take a book or the in-room yoga mat to find some shade under a mature palm tree or rent a cabana to enjoy al fresco dishes from High Tide Bar and Grill. Or book an outdoor K'Alma Spa appointment, which is seriously relaxing.

If you want to explore the region, leave your children with the kids' program and hop on a complimentary PUBLIC bike. But don't forget to come back for the evening social wine hour, a hallmark of the Kimpton brand, before heading out again, or staying in to dine at The Social Club. 

COVID-19 procedures are available here.

Read our full hotel review of the Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel

Hyatt Centric South Beach Miami

Book Hyatt Centric South Beach Miami

Category: Business

Typical starting/peak prices: $243/$539

Best for: Solo travelers, business travelers, couples, families

On-site amenities: Restaurant, pool with cabanas, free Wi-Fi, 24-hour business center, "Wooftop" dog park, complimentary bicycles, beach service including towels and chaise lounge chairs, e-concierge

Pros: The hotel is pet-friendly to the point that it has a dedicated space for dogs on the third floor, and dogs are also welcome at happy hour.

Cons: The hotel has limited services, with no fitness center or spa on site. 

The Hyatt Centric is hip, and not just because it's located on Collins Avenue. Panoramic windows offer premium views, even from the smallest rooms. While the hotel has a dedicated restaurant, DECK Sixteen, it also Joe & The Juice for organic coffees and veggie shots. Hyatt Centric also encourages guests to use GrubHub for delivery to bring in their own affordable food.

Standard rooms start at 300 square feet and blend white with natural hues for a mod midcentury look. But then, above the headboard, a reinterpreted rainbow mural provides an effective splash of color. The white marble bathrooms are small, but reinforce the theme with geometric shapes and wood accents.

The hotel doesn't rank the highest on our list for amenities, but it does have a second-floor boardroom, a pretty pool, and outdoor space with catering services if you want to hold an event such as a small destination wedding. The hotel's location at 16th and Collins Avenue puts you smack dab in the heart of South Beach, ideal for walking to Lincoln Road or Ocean Drive.

COVID-19 procedures are available here.

Marriott Stanton South Beach

Book Marriott Stanton South Beach

Category: Mid-range

Typical starting/peak prices: $248/$587

Best for: Business travelers, couples, families, Marriott loyalists

On-site amenities: Restaurant, spa, fitness center, pool, pet-friendly

Pros: Servers from the hotel take orders and run food and drink out to the sand so you don't have to lift a finger. Fitness buffs who don't want to run on the beach or swim can use the newly updated, on-premises fitness center.

Cons: Guests complain not just about room size but also last-minute room switches, misrepresentation, and maintenance issues.

Stylish and steadfast, the Marriott Stanton South Beach is a solid choice for travelers of all ilk, both business and pleasure, despite its Ocean Drive domain. Located in the area called South of Fifth, which is less frequented by foot traffic, this hotel is a great base to navigate the whole of South Beach, as well as access prime beachfront. It also offers lovely architecture and laid-back, beach-driven interior design.

Guest rooms start at 250 square feet, which is small for two people, but not smaller than other accommodations on the beach. Request a balcony or patio when you book; not all rooms have them, and it makes the room feel larger. You can, however, request spa services in your room. You can also visit the full-service spa for a full selection of treatments.

The pool is on the smaller side and could use updating, but the beach is wide open. The resort fee covers bicycles, beach umbrellas, and lounge chairs. In the dramatic, two-story lobby, Azabu is a highly regarded Japanese restaurant. For a real treat, reserve a night at the "hidden" sushi den for omakase. 

COVID-19 procedures are available here.

Loews Miami Beach Hotel

Book Loews Miami Beach Hotel

Category: Luxury

Typical starting/peak prices: $329/$1,295

Best for: Business travelers, couples, families, groups

On-site amenities: Restaurant, bar, pool, Jacuzzi, cabanas, beach access, fitness center with barre and yoga classes, meeting/event spaces, coffee bar, market, free Wi-Fi, kids' club

Pros: There's only one large pool, so the adults-only SOAK Cabanas & Daybeds are available for those who want to separate themselves from all the kids. The beach facilities are lovely and the on-site dining is excellent.

Cons: More than 9,000 Trip Advisor reviews gives you a big clue that this hotel is never not busy. As a result, the roundabout entrance way is usually highly trafficked. Even getting picked up by a ride-share can be a problem at rush hour.

The Loews Miami Beach Hotel is popular for convention-goers and those attending festivals like South Beach Wine & Food, given its large size and location at the nexus of 16th street and Collins Avenue. It's also very accommodating for families, with a terrific kids club for entertaining young ones. A recent renovation updated the lobby, 790 guestrooms, the pool deck, and more. 

Standard city-view rooms are decked out in a refreshed nautical palette, with neutral gray armchairs and desk chairs to complement the white and blue. Large abstract artwork over the headboard give the rooms additional flavor. Ocean view or oceanfront rooms cost more, but are worth the splurge for the daily dose of serenity they provide from lovely terraces. Single-vanity marble bathrooms with walk-in steam showers (ask for accessible bath tubs instead) aren't giant, but do make good use of space.

There's plenty of room to move elsewhere, including the bar and yoga classes at exhale Spa & Fitness. And don't skip out on complimentary morning meditation sessions, held every day at 9 a.m. on the rooftop's Zen Terrace.

With five food-and-beverage concepts, including the highly regarded Lure Fishbar, and a majestic new lobby that befits its preeminent Art Deco status, Loews Miami Beach is an appealing, reliable option. 

COVID-19 procedures are available here.

Read our full hotel review of Loews Miami Beach Hotel

W South Beach

Book W South Beach

Category: Luxury

Typical starting/peak prices: $439/$3,149

Best for: Groups, couples, families

On-site amenities: Restaurants, bar, pool, private beach, spa, water sport rentals, fitness center, rooftop tennis and basketball courts 

Pros: The vibe is very rock-and-roll with photography by Grammy-nominated Danny Clinch and entertainment centers designed to cue up tunes from whatever tech you want. The W South Beach is also one of the few, if not only, hotels in South Beach to have an electric car charging station.

Cons: That vibe can get loud. Guests say rooms above Living Room tend to vibrate. Guests also complain about billing and housekeeping issues.

Bring your pets. Bring your kids. Bring your snorkel gear and adventurous spirit. Bring your beach reads. Whatever you want to do or be, the W South Beach makes you feel free to do so. The staff will help by pampering your pup, booking babysitters, and finding the best lounge chair, umbrella, and towels.

There are 19 categories of suites, which generally start at a huge 564 square feet and feature nine-foot ceilings. Some of the most spacious and contemporary accommodations on the beach, these chic, black-and-white quarters contain at the least a microwave bar for quick meals, and at most, a full kitchen. Luxury features include beds with mirrored and crocodile skin headboards, 350-thread count Egyptian cotton sheets, goose-down comforters, as well as Cippolino marble bathrooms with spa showers and self-closing drawers.

A true resort, the W South Beach has squeezed in amenities on valuable beachfront property by adding tennis and basketball courts to the roof. Restaurants and bars range from the renowned Mr. Chow to the clubby, DJ-driven Living Room. A 9,540-square-foot spa, complete with sun terrace, is currently in the works.

COVID-19 procedures are available here.

1 Hotel South Beach

Book 1 Hotel South Beach

Category: Luxury

Typical starting/peak prices: $459/$2,899

Best for: Couples, groups, families

On-site amenities: Multiple restaurants, bars, pools, private beachfront, beach club and cabanas, rooftop lounge, spa, huge gym, kids' club, house car, complimentary beach cruisers, salon services

Pros: With a pretty beach, multiple restaurants, and four pools including a stunning rooftop, the hotel is a calming oasis that will leave you feeling fulfilled, refreshed, and rejuvenated.

Cons: Everything about staying here is expensive and that entry-level price is only available during Miami's hot and stormy summer season. Most of the year, it easily doubles. Additionally, the resort fee hovers close to $50 daily, and food and drink, while tasty, are also costly. 

Staying at 1 Hotel South Beach is so serene, you may forget you're in South Beach at all. The minimal look of soft neutral white and beige set alongside leafy green plants and reclaimed driftwood is light and calming. The hotel employs an eco-friendly, super sustainable mission where everything from clothes hangers to bathrobes are made from repurposed materials and food is locally-sourced and seasonal. You'll offset your carbon footprint while still experiencing an indulgent, luxury experience.

There are 425 guest rooms and suites that are airy and bright, and the standard King Room boasts 700 spacious square feet. Bathrooms are spa-like with wooden accents, and balconies facing the ocean offer incredible views.

With a private beach, six on-site restaurants, and four pools including a stunning rooftop oasis, it has all the trimmings of a giant resort, but without any of the hectic energy. If you need to relax further, there's also a top-tier spa and wellness facility.

COVID-19 procedures are available here.

Read our full hotel review of 1 Hotel South Beach

The Setai, Miami Beach

Book The Setai, Miami Beach

Category: Luxury

Typical starting/peak prices: $518/$1,700

Best for: Business travelers, couples, families

On-site amenities: Restaurants, bars, spa, multiple pools, shops, beach service, complimentary bicycles, fitness center with Pelotons, complimentary international calls, free Wi-Fi

Pros: Located across the street from The Bass and within walking distance of SoundScape Park and New World Center, the location is ideal for those interested in culture and the arts. While expensive, starter rooms are among the largest in the area. 

Cons: This is one of the most expensive properties in South Beach, even during the low season.

Gorgeous and peaceful, the award-winning Setai offers intermission from reality. Beginning with city-view studio suites that start at a super spacious 582 square feet and sleep three, accommodations are done up in what's billed as Asian-style Deco. Rich brown fabrics, dark stones, and red floral accents are a stark contrast to much of the rest of the palette found on South Beach. Duxiana beds, black granite soaking bath tubs, and exquisite rainfall showers are modern yet timeless. The tech includes 50-inch LED HD TVs with Samsung sound bars and wireless Internet.

For a more permanent escape, visit the Valmont Spa for the "Setai Signature Master of Time" treatment, which promises to reshape your face with luxe L'Elixir des Glaciers products. Then nourish yourself at Sunday Jazz Brunch in The Courtyard of Jaya, where the retractable roof protects the mother-of-pearl bar and a serenity pond against the occasional bad weather. Indeed, The Setai is known for its excellent cuisine, both at Asian spice route-inspired Jaya and at the Mediterranean Ocean Grill.

The pool and beach feature butler service. When it's festival time in Miami, the hotel might also host events that are loud and DJ-driven.

COVID-19 procedures are available here.

Read our full hotel review of The Setai Miami Beach

The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach

Book The Ritz-Carlton South Beach

Category: Luxury

Typical starting/peak prices: $599/$1,999

Best for: Couples, families

On-site amenities: Restaurant, bar, pool with cabanas, private beach, fitness center, meeting/event space

Pros: The lush space outside, planned like a botanical garden, is ideal for a stroll or even weddings and events. The pool and beach service is fantastic.

Cons: The grand opening of the hotel was celebrated in January 2020, and according to guests, some kinks with booking, billing, and housekeeping still need to be worked out.

After getting washed out from Hurricane Irma in fall 2017, The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach underwent an extensive redo. Once again a stunning beachfront property, the property features a 1950s-inspired design that plays off its historic Art Deco bones. Sophisticated and regal, the hues here are gray, white, gold, and coffee in the public spaces and rooms, with a touch of oceanic blue here and there.

The 376 renovated rooms begin at 375 square feet, which is generous for the beach, and include marble bathrooms with free-standing tubs. Dual vanities host Asprey bath products and all linens are 100-percent cotton, which helps soothe sunburned skin. Of course, if you do get truly overcooked at the beach or pool, you can head to the spa for treatments. You don't have to invest a lot of time, either. The Ritz-Carlton Spa, South Beach, features the Timeless Capsule, an elliptical room devoted to condensed treatments.

Get to know some of Miami's visual history in the Lapidus Bar, designed and named for the property's original architect, or grab a drink and a bite at the DiLido Beach Club if you feel like you can't miss a moment of sun.

And even if it's an awesome full moon-over-Miami week that has you frolicking every night at the beach club, make time for dinner at signature restaurant Fuego y Mar.

COVID-19 procedures are available here.

More on our methodology for selecting hotels

In addition to the criteria above, I considered the following factors:

My experience: I've been living in various municipalities in Miami, starting with South Beach, since 1992. I've been covering the entire state as a food-and-travel writer since then for a large variety of international publications and guidebooks. I've stayed in many of these hotels over the years and can vouch for their overall experience. Some, we've even reviewed too.

Overall features: The best South Beach hotels feature grandiose pools with lush landscaping, spas with unique treatments, beach access, and restaurants that highlight the city's diversity. All of them offer the incredible art-and-architecture elements that placed South Beach on historic registers.

COVID-19: Florida has lifted statewide restrictions on masking and does not allow private businesses to directly ask about vaccination status. However, many businesses still choose to follow CDC protocols that prioritize the health and safety of their guests with new cleaning policies and masking in public spaces. In addition, services are subject to Covid-19 restrictions. Some spa, transportation, and entertainment amenities might be curtailed or unavailable. Others might be on their way to being reinstated.

Ratings: We consulted reviews and ratings on sites such as Trip Advisor, Hotels.com, Booking.com, and others to ensure others' experiences were also overwhelmingly positive.

FAQ: South Beach hotels

Where is South Beach?

Miami Beach is in Miami-Dade County. Miami, the mainland, and Miami Beach, a long peninsula that includes South Beach and North Beach among other municipalities, are separated by Biscayne Bay. To get from one to the other, you drive over long bridges known as causeways. Still, many locals and visitors alike refer to the wide-ranging coastal region simply as "Miami." 

The third most-populated metropolis on the east coast of the country, once-sleepy Miami has become, in the past couple of decades, a major player in technology, arts and culture, sports, and international commerce, among other kinds of finance and business. Located on the southeast coast of Florida, Miami-Dade County is part of a tri-county unit known as South Florida, which includes Broward (where Fort Lauderdale is) and Palm Beach counties. The only county below Miami-Dade is Monroe, where the Florida Keys are located. 

South Beach is known for its Art Deco Historic District, where more than 800 Art Deco, Miami Moderne, and Mediterranean Revival buildings have been preserved. To learn more about the Art Deco Historic Distric, visit the Miami Design Preservation League.

Are hotels safe and open?

Experts agree hotels are safe, provided you take the necessary precautions outlined by the CDC. Additionally, the CDC now says fully vaccinated people can safely travel in the US. All the hotels on this list are open and accepting guests.

That said, the state of Florida has lifted restrictions and protocol for COVID-19. Still, you should keep in mind that many private businesses still opt to follow the CDC masking and social distancing guidelines and come prepared with safety precautions for hotels, restaurants, and other businesses who might enforce their own rules on the premises of their properties.

In addition, services are subject to COVID-19 restrictions. Some spa, transportation, and entertainment amenities might be curtailed or unavailable. Others might be on their way to being reinstated.

What's the best hotel to stay in South Beach?

That depends on what you're in the neighborhood to do. If you're headed there for business, the Loews Miami Beach Hotel is a large "convention" hotel that can handle just about anything. For the business of relaxing, COMO Metropolitan Miami Beach and The Standard Spa Miami Beach deliver on that front, and are also located on less busy avenues.

On the other hand, Hotel Victor South Beach and the Marriott Stanton South Beach are in perfect positions if you're ready to party on Ocean Drive. If you're more invested in a boutique beach vacation, the Kimpton Surfcomber and Angler are ideal.

Bringing pets? The Kimptons, the W, and the Hyatt Centric South Beach, among others, adore those four-legged creatures. If you prefer a whole, catered resort vibe, the W South Beach, The Setai Miami Beach, and the Ritz-Carlton South Beach are luxury personified. And if you're worried about climate change and eco-culture, check out 1 Hotel South Beach.

What is there to do in South Beach?

South Beach is famous for its sidewalk cafes, fine-dining, bars, nightclubs, and shops. Stroll down Lincoln Road Mall, Ocean Drive, and historic, pedestrian-only Española Way for a taste of the action and a lot of people-watching. The two other big streets, Washington and Collins Avenues, are lined with hotels plus more of the same. All showcase the restored architecture that made this Art Deco Historic District so intriguing.

South Beach is also well-known for its beaches and other water-related activities. It hosts a fair amount of festivals, ranging from Art Basel Miami Beach to the South Beach Wine & Food Festival. It also boasts a number of museums, memorials, and cultural institutions, including The Bass, The Wolfsonian, The World Erotic Art Museum, Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach, New World Center, home of the New World Symphony, and its WALLCAST Concerts at SoundScape Park, The Fillmore Miami Beach, and Miami City Ballet, to name just a few. 

Many of the arts institutions have seasonal calendars, taking the hot summer months off, but some have year-round programming. But with the hot weather, starting June 1 and lasting until November 30, South Beach experiences hurricane season along with the rest of Miami. Because of its proximity to the ocean, it's wise to take storm watches/warnings seriously.

Do I need a car in South Beach?

Miami-Dade public transportation includes the Metrorail, Metromover, and Metrobus, but only the bus operates on South Beach. Instead, hop on the free neighborhood South Beach Trolley (see COVID updates and all Miami Beach routes here). Ride-share services are also popular. 

South Beach is eminently walkable and if you're not planning on "leaving the island" except to get to and from the airport, you may not need a car. Still, many people also do like to rent a car to visit further-flung attractions like Everglades National Park and Biscayne National Park, or take day trips to Fort Lauderdale or Palm Beach. Car rental deals are always available, and experts say renting one in a pandemic is safe. Additionally, these are the best car rental companies. Miami International Airport has 14 car rental agencies on site.

Is South Beach expensive?

Many times of the year, South Beach hotels can be expensive. They range wildly from weekday to weekend and surge in price during certain festival weeks such as Art Basel Miami Beach and South Beach Wine & Food Festival.

Travelers should know that Miami hotel prices have increased by 10 U.S. dollars from March to April 2021 alone, according to Statista. Prices are on the rise as hoteliers take advantage of Miami's newfound popularity in the tech and real estate sectors, and Spring Breakers enjoyed South Beach's open-with-reduced capacity allowances. Now that the state has lifted all COVID restrictions, you can bet South Beach's status will continue to soar.

Also, keep in mind that every hotel has a resort fee that includes amenities ranging from beach towels and yoga mats to the use of bicycles and luxury Neighborhood cars.

For the cheapest rates, look to visit during the summer or midweek at other times of the year.

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