The Best Luxury Hotels to Book in Miami

Foodies, heads up. Michelin-starred chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten fronts Matador Room, the signature restaurant at this EDITION hotel. Opt for the Taste of Matador menu, a culinary journey through South America, the Caribbean and Spain; highlights include the black truffle and fontina pizza, followed by the pumpkin tres leches cake with spice meringue. Rooms are decked out in soothing shades of white, beige and gold; upgrade to an ocean-facing bungalow with a private plunge pool.

The 1 Hotel South Beach’s big claim is that it is LEED certified, which means it’s embracing green practices, from using luxurious, non-toxic bed linen and mattresses to kitting out suites with furniture made from reclaimed wood. For breakfast, head to Plnthouse, the onsite organic cafe which whips up the healthiest dishes, from ahi tuna superfood bowls to cauliflower flatbreads, topped with goat’s cheese and fig spread. Afterwards, make a beeline for the Bamford Spa, a British wellness brand focused on natural products and holistic treatments.

Just atop the Brickell City Center shopping mall, East towers above the rest, boasting panoramic views through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Minimalist in style, the interiors are filled with lush plants, natural light and Feng shui features to create a soothing atmosphere. Beat the Florida heat by diving into the asymmetrical outdoor pool; afterwards, order a craft cocktail to your tangerine-orange lounger. Come nightfall, the rooftop lounge Sugar is the place to be.

With designers such as Philippe Starck and Yabu Pushelberg playing a part in its creation, you know the SLS LUX Brickell will be pleasing to the eye. Think neutral tones paired with geometric prints and pops of color in this all-suite hotel. Luxury perks include nightly turndown service, Ciel Spa amenities and deep soaker tubs. Take advantage of the state-of-the-art fitness center, personal training sessions and full-service spa. Reward yourself afterwards with an strawberry caipiroka vodka cocktail and a side of truffle fries at the ninth-floor poolside Altitude bar.

The tallest building in South Beach, it’s difficult to miss this glistening beachfront giant. Dark teak and brick flooring create an atmosphere of understated luxury. The Ocean suites, housed inside its iconic 40-storey tower, have one, two, three or four bedrooms, with sweeping sea views. For dinner, head to Jaya, the elegant courtyard restaurant, which serves a mixture of southeast and northern Asian cuisine; think yellowfin tuna sashimi alongside chicken makhani. If you’re staying over the weekend, don’t miss the Sunday jazz brunch, an extravagant buffet with free-flowing champagne.

The five-star, 4.5 acre (1.8ha) Acqualina Resort & Spa in Sunny Isles looks like it was plucked off the Spanish coast and dropped in South Florida. The swaying palms and Atlantic views will make you feel like you are staying on a private island. With beachfront dining, ocean-facing cabanas and Miami’s only restaurant adjacent to the beach, it’s no wonder this resort was voted the Best Waterfront Hotel in the U.S. for five consecutive years by USA Today. Make sure you book a treatment at the 20,000sqft (1,860sqm) ESPA spa; the HydraFacial will leave your skin glowing.

You can’t write a rundown of the top Miami luxury hotels without including the Biltmore. This 1920s resort is a National Historic Landmark; during its heyday, it was not only home to the largest swimming pool in the world at the time, but entertained the nation’s glitterati, from Judy Garland to Bing Crosby, at fashion shows and golf tournaments. It retains its original charm to this day. If you can, splash out on the Terrace Suite which has an enormous balcony with sun loungers overlooking the leafy ground. Just a note of warning though: the 13th floor is said to be haunted.

The Four Seasons is known for its impeccable service and its Miami outpost is no different. While the five-star resort might not occupy a beachfront plot like others on this list, it will certainly win you over with its palm tree-studded, two-acre pool area on the seventh floor. Soak up spectacular views of South Beach, Biscayne Bay and downtown while sipping an ice-cold mojito from your sun lounger. Choose between a city- or bay-view room; upgrade to an apartment-style residence if you’re in town for an extended trip. Finish the day with a quality cut at Edge, the onsite farm-to-table steakhouse.

The Mandarin Oriental has the best views in the Magic City – it’s the only hotel on Brickell Key, boasting 360-degree views of Brickell, downtown and Miami Beach. Spend the morning at the three-level spa, starting with a steam and sauna before selecting one of the treatments on offer. Suffering from jet lag? Opt for the Oriental Harmony body scrub and massage which involves two therapists working together to ease out any tight muscles. Make sure you book dinner at La Mar – acclaimed chef Gastón Acurio’s global take on Peruvian cuisine is not to be skipped.

For the pinnacle of five-star hotels in Miami, book the Faena in South Beach. Over-the-top opulence is what it’s all about here – from the 100,000sqft (9,290sqm) beach club to the Damien Hirst-designed woolly mammoth skeleton covered in 24-karat gold. Film director Baz Luhrmannplayed a part in the interior design and it shows; velvet and gold accents give the hotel a theatrical feel, which is naturally complimented by the nightly Cirque du Soleil-style cabaret performances. When it comes to activities, there’s something for everyone – from South American barbecue every Sunday at Los Fuegos restaurant to yoga classes in the shamanic-style spa.