The Most Luxurious Hotels in Miami

Just atop the Brickell City Center shopping mall, East towers above the rest with unique views of the concrete jungle that is Downtown and Brickell. The poolscape boasts asymmetrical pools with waterfalls and two Jacuzzis in an industrial design surrounded by orange loungers, umbrellas and tropical vegetation that add contrast to the sleek urban theme. Order craft cocktails poolside or wander about the expansive courtyard to enjoy the sky-high breeze and energy of the city life. The hotel bills itself as a lifestyle hotel so it’s no wonder it comes with a fitness center, restaurants and the trendy rooftop lounge Sugar – which is the spot to celebrate your #MiamiLife any evening.

Built with only suites and residences, the SLS LUX Brickell was created by a powerhouse team: sbe founder Sam Nazarian, developer Jorge Perez and designers Philippe Starck and Yabu Pushelberg. Along with art by Fernando Botero and Fabian Burgos, rooms here come with panoramic views of Downtown Miami, soaking tubs, Ciel Spa amenities, a full kitchen with a dishwasher and Alessi china. After admiring the colorful LED facade by light artist Ana Isabel Martinez, guests can take advantage of the full-service tennis and fitness center, the all-white rooftop pool, drinks at S Bar and dinner at Katsuya. The latter is an award-winning sushi concept from Master Sushi Chef Katsuya Uechi, with popular locations across Los Angeles.

The tallest building in South Beach, it is difficult to miss this glistening beachfront giant. From its elegant glass facade to its tasteful oriental design motif, The Setai is a bastion of tranquility and privacy. Dark teak and brick flooring create an atmosphere of discreet luxury. The hotel’s Ocean suites, housed inside its iconic 40-story tower, range from one to four bedrooms, with sweeping ocean views. Inspired by Asian cuisine from Thailand, India and Japan, the restaurant offers everything from pork bao buns to an Indian thali platter with a sophisticated mixology menu to match. Other services include an Asian-inspired spa with lavish treatment options and a steam room.

The five-star, 4½-acre (1.8ha) Acqualina Resort & Spa in Sunny Isles, which resembles a Mediterranean villa, looks like it was plucked right off the coast of Spain and dropped in South Florida. Inside, the 98 rooms are fit for royalty. Outside, swaying palms, striking red pool furniture and quiet views of the Atlantic ocean make visitors feel like they are staying on a private island. After a relaxing treatment at the 20,000sqft (1,860sqm) Acqualina Spa by ESPA, visit Il Mulino NY for Italian fine dining. Bespoke ACQUA Experiences – which include a curated list of yoga classes, culinary and shopping tours, art classes and wildlife experiences led by local experts – will immerse you in Miami’s culture.

This extravagant hotel is all about over-the-top opulence. Faena Miami Beach is more than a hotel – it’s a four-block district. With a 100,000sqft (9,290sqm) beach club, the 3,000sqft (280sqm) Faena Theater and nightly Cirque du Soleil-style cabaret performances, Faena is the pinnacle of luxury stays. At the Faena Bazaar shopping complex, you can make your way through classic boutiques. Afterwards, relax at the 22,000sqft (2,000sqm) Tierra Santa Healing House – a South American-inspired spa with the largest hammam in Miami. With a nod to Miami’s inspired artistic roots, floor-to-ceiling wall murals by Juan Gatti frame the hotel’s entrance while Alberto Garutti-designed chandeliers – made to look like lightning strikes – are hung throughout. Intricately patterned mosaic floors are crafted from 632,000 tiles and a $6m Damien Hirst-designed skeleton of a woolly mammoth covered in 24-karat gold is a city-wide treasure. Hungry guests will be more than satisfied at Los Fuegos by Francis Mallmann – an award-winning restaurant with authentic Argentine live-fire cooking. Alternately, Pao is a jaw-dropping Asian concept restaurant by James Beard Award-winner Paul Qui that’s located just past the hotel lobby, overlooking Faena’s Path of the Warrior.