- Where to stay in Miami: best areas and hotels
- 1. South Beach: beach and party
- 2. Mid-Beach: beaches and close to attractions
- 3. North Beach: beachfront apartments
- 4. Sunny Isles Beach, Surfside & Bal Harbor: beaches and shopping
- 5. Downtown Miami & Brickell: central area
- 6. Wynwood & Design District: artsy neighborhood
- 7. North Miami Beach: cheap hotels in Miami
- 8. Key Biscanye: beach and relax
- Map with the best areas to stay in Miami
If it’s your first time in Miami, it can be a bit confusing to choose the area to stay in. Miami is a large city and is divided into 13 neighborhoods.
There are two main areas: Miami, which is on the mainland, and Miami Beach, which is connected by bridges and is where the city’s main beaches are located. The area where you stay will depend on your interests, the activities you want to do, whether you’ll be renting a car or not, etc.
Accommodation prices in Miami are high throughout the year, so it’s important to make your hotel or apartment reservation in advance to get good prices.
Read: Things to do in Miami in 3 days
Where to stay in Miami
ACCOMMODATION IN MIAMI BEACH
1. South Beach: Beach and party
South Beach is the most touristy area of Miami Beach. It’s known for its beaches, Art Deco architecture, and nightlife. In this area, there’s a wide range of accommodations (mostly hotels), fashion stores, and restaurants.
If you enjoy partying, South Beach is the best area to stay in Miami because it’s full of bars and nightclubs. This area is ideal for staying if you don’t have a car during your stay since you practically don’t need to move from the neighborhood. It’s also an excellent area to stay if you want to enjoy the beach every day.
Recommended hotels in South Beach:
- W South Beach: This is one of the best hotels you’ll find in the area. The W South Beach offers both typical hotel rooms and others equipped with kitchens that are like small apartments. It’s located beachfront and also features two pools. See prices and photos for W South Beach.
- The Betsy Hotel: A mid price hotel with very sophisticated decoration, offering direct access to the beach and just steps away from restaurants and shops in the area. See prices and photos for The Betsy Hotel.
- Leslie Hotel: One of Miami’s classic hotels located on the famous Ocean Drive facing South Beach. Despite its age, the hotel is very modern and is a good option for those who want to stay on this street full of parties and fun. See prices and photos for Leslie Hotel.
- Stardust Hotel: One of the few budget-friendly hotels you’ll find in South Beach. Simple rooms and a location just 2 blocks from the beach. See prices and photos for Stardust Hotel.
2. Mid-Beach: Beaches and close to attractions
If your idea is to go to Miami to enjoy the beach and tranquility but at the same time be close to the city’s attractions, Mid-Beach is a great option. This area is just north of South Beach and is where some of the best hotels in the city are located, such as the Faena.
The beach in Mid-Beach is much quieter than South Beach in terms of the number of people, and you can find hotels that are a bit cheaper and of better quality.
Recommended hotels in Mid-Beach:
- The Confidante Miami Beach: One of the nicest hotels in the area. The Confidante has a retro aesthetic with pastel-colored furniture and unique details. It has direct access to the beach, making it perfect for those who want to spend the entire day enjoying the Miami weather. See prices and photos for The Confidante Miami Beach.
- L Hotel: I stayed at this hotel and I highly recommend it. It’s a boutique hotel located just 2 blocks from the beach. The rooms are very nice, and it has a great quality-price ratio. See prices and photos for L Hotel.
- Generator Miami Hostel: Generator is a very stylish hostel chain that I always recommend (I stayed at Generator Paris and London). Generator Miami offers shared or private rooms and is located just 2 blocks from the beach. See prices and photos for Generator Miami.
- Westover Arms Hotel: If you’re looking for budget-friendly and well-located accommodation, I recommend this hotel. The rooms are small apartments equipped with a kitchen and appliances. It has an excellent location on Collins Avenue, just steps from Miami Beach. See prices and photos for Westover Arms Hotel.
3. North Beach: beachfront apartments
North Beach area is the northernmost area in Miami Beach. It’s an area with many houses and condominiums, making it perfect for those looking to rent an apartment. Additionally, it’s a great area for those who want to spend time at the beach since it’s much quieter and less touristy than South Beach.
In my opinion if you’re thinking of staying in this area, you should have a car since you’ll be about a 20-minute drive from Ocean Drive, for example.
Recommended accommodation in North Beach:
- Beachfront apartments for 3,4 or 5 people
- Broadmore Miami Beach: beautiful hotel with pool and direct access to the beach.
4. Sunny Isles Beach, Surfside & Bal Harbor: beaches and shopping
These three areas are located north of North Beach. They are more distant from downtown Miami and the tourist areas, but if you have a car, this is not a problem. They are residential neighborhoods where you can find many luxury residential towers and some high-end resorts.
Accommodation in this area is not cheap, but you can get good prices if you book in advance. Any of these areas is ideal if you want to enjoy the beach and also have restaurants and shops nearby.
If you’re into shopping, the Sunny Isles area is just an 8-minute drive or bus ride from Aventura Mall, one of the most well-known shopping centers in Miami.
Recommended accommodation in Sunny Isles Beach, Surfside & Bal Harbor:
- Marenas Beach Resort: this resort ideal for relaxing. It’s right in front of the beach and has a pool. They offer standard hotel rooms and others like apartments, with a kitchen and living area. See prices and photos for Marenas Beach Resort.
- Apartment for 5 people: great apartments in a condominium located very close to the beach and Aventura Mall shopping center.
5. Downtown Miami & Brickell: central area
These two areas are adjacent and constitute the downtown area of Miami. Here, you’ll find skyscrapers, businesses, banks, plenty of shops, and restaurants.
If you’re planning to go to Miami to spend time at the beach, I wouldn’t recommend this area because you’ll need to drive every day. However, if you’re interested in shopping and enjoying Miami’s cultural activities such as museums, this area is a good choice. It’s also an excellent area to stay if you’re taking a cruise because the port is located here.
There are many hotels and apartments in this area, and generally, prices are a bit more economical than those in Miami Beach.
Recommended accommodation in Downtown Miami and Brickell:
- EAST Miami: one of the most luxury hotels in Miami with a modern style and excellent location in Brickell. See prices and photos for EAST Miami.
- Eurostars Langford: a moderately priced hotel located in the heart of Downtown near Brickell City Center and Bayfront Park. See prices and photos for Eurostars Langford.
- Rodeway Inn & Suites downtown: If you’re looking for an economical hotel, Rodeway is for you. It’s a motel chain with locations throughout the United States. The rooms are simple, and the hotel is located in Brickell. See prices and photos for Rodeway Inn & Suites downtown.
6. Wynwood & Design District: artsy neighborhood
Recommended accommodation in Wynwood & Miami Design District:
- Domio Wynwood: this hotel is located in the Wynwood area. Rooms are modern and well equiped. See prices and photos for Domio Wynwood.
- Apartment for two in Wynwood Walls
7. North Miami Beach: cheap hotels in Miami
Recommended accommodation in North Miami Beach:
- Aloft Miami Aventura: This hotel is actually located in the Aventura area, but it’s right next to North Miami. The Aloft is a modern hotel with affordable prices. I stayed at the Aloft in Boston and loved it!See prices and photos for Aloft Miami Aventura.
8. Key Biscayne: beach and relax
If you’re truly looking to spend your vacation enjoying the beach and the tropical climate of Miami, Key Biscayne is the best area. It’s a bit far from downtown and the most touristy attractions, but it’s worth visiting this small island where you’ll find luxurious mansions, a beautiful beach, and lush vegetation.
The accommodation options are limited because it’s a small and very luxurious area, but if you book in advance, you might find a rental house at a good price. It’s a perfect area for those who want to be away from tourists and truly enjoy the beach.
Recommended accommodation in Key Biscanye:
- The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne: An excellent hotel that has everything you need to completely relax at the beach. The resort has several pools, 11 tennis courts, and 4 restaurants. See prices and photos for The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne.
- Apartments for 2, 4 or 5 people close to the beach
Map with the best areas to stay in Miami
On this map you can see all the areas and hotels I mentioned in the post:
I hope this post helps you find where to stay in Miami. If you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments 🙂 Which area of Miami did you stay in?
Other useful posts:
- Things to do in Miami in 3 days
- Where to stay in Orlando
- Things to do in Orlando
- 4 days in Chicago
- West Coast Road trip Itinerary: from Seattle to LA
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