Where you stay always sets the mood for how your trip is going to be and this is no truer than when you’re staying in Miami’s South Beach. Each hotel has its own little bit of something to it and these are my favorites for each type of excursion you may have down to the city of sand and sun.
Bachelorette/Bachelor Party
If you’re looking for Vegas with a beach then look no further; this self-contained party hot spot is located further up on the beach then some might like, but with it’s 12 restaurants and lounges, extravagant pool parties, LIV nightclub, and 40,000 sq ft spa, who wants to leave? They always have something going on like live concerts and DJs, so you’re always in for a good time no matter when you go.
Another great tip is that one of the towers have suites that are owned by residents and are often available on Airbnb, so if you have a large group you can all stay together and you still get all the perks of the hotel.
Trendy
A place to “see and be seen”, this gorgeous reinvention of the Seville Hotel elegantly displays clean, modern lines with beachy fronds and candlelit marble hallways that carry throughout the hotel; but what really draws all the boys to the yard is the BASEMENT.
The BASEMENT includes a bowling alley, ice skating rink, and nightclub decked out for the kid in all of us (that we try to suppress ha!), but with all the adult things we want (wink, wink*). The lighting was designed by Patrick Woodroffe, formerly working with the Queen B, Rolling Stones and Lady Gaga, so you know you’re in for a hell of a time.
Family Friendly
Besides being in close proximity to Lincoln Rd, giving the family plenty to do, Loews really makes the stay “all-inclusive”.
For the kiddies they have the SoBe Kids Camp which offers full and half day programs as well as evening programs on Friday and Saturday, so that the adults can really have time to enjoy the vacation and not just babysit. They are all high energy activities as well like beach sports, water balloon madness, and scavenger hunts so that when you’re ready to hit the bed they will be too (Amen!).
Sexy
SLS may not be adults only, but it may as well be. If you’re wondering where all the beautiful tan bodies went they’re all at the pool party at Hyde Beach, an 8,000 sq ft space of pool, oceanfront and indoor bar space. But the fun doesn’t stop there, the rooms, designed by Philippe Starck, channeled the ghost of Louis XV’s legendary mistress Madame de Pompadour with mirrored ceilings and a little box in the rooms labeled “sinners” with some… essentials.
Relaxing Get Away
A little off the beaten path (more like on an island) you will find the relaxing air of The Standard Hotel. Complementary to hotel guests is a hydrotherapy utopia filled with a Turkish style hamam, aroma steam room, roman waterfall hot tubs, mud lounge, treatment baths and a salt water infinity pool. Then once you’re done pampering yourself you can soak in some sun on a paddle board ride through the bay or take one of their bikes for a stroll around Miami. Paradise.
Art Basel
Located in the lovingly named Faena District this hotel is a piece of art in of itself. As the home of “Gone But Not Forgotten”, a $15M golden plated mammoth fossil, they tried and succeeded in making the Faena into a living piece of art. You can read more about my stay here.
Health and Fitness
I know being healthy and staying fit may be the last thing you think of when on vacation, but the 1 Hotel might make the best argument for it. This environmentally friendly hotel not only sports a Spartan Gym, but a SoulCycle as well for those of us who have drunk the Kool Aid, and you can cool down at the smoothie bar afterwards.
The rooms are designed with reclaimed wood, hemp blend mattresses and 100% organic cotton sheets, and for dinner you can choose from one of the seven farm-stand fresh restaurants that they have on site making your stay one of the greenest on south beach.
What’s your favorite place to stay in South Beach? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below! For daily travel updates follow my instagram.
Great post!