Deciding where to stay in Miami can be difficult, especially if this is your first trip to the city.
A favorite destination for Brazilians in the United States, the metropolis offers attractions for all types of travelers, spread across all neighborhoods. There are museums, parks, shopping malls, beaches, parties and restaurants, and each region has a little bit of everything.
Most tourists think about staying close to the beach, but the truth is that even with a car or using public transport, almost all areas are close to the sea. Before choosing where to stay, then, the ideal is to decide what you want to see and do during your trip. If it's for shopping, the Brickell financial district may be a better option than the famous South Beach, for example.
To help you, in this post I have selected four excellent neighborhoods where to stay in Miami. I wrote about what you can find in each of them, and I also gave tips on which are the best hotels to stay in, with options in various price ranges!
Remembering that, despite not being as expensive as New York or Los Angeles, the city's prices are still more expensive than its neighbor Orlando. Even hostels, which tend to be more affordable accommodations, have a higher price than compared to hostels in Europe.
Where to stay in Miami (Separated by neighborhoods)
South Beach
When talking about Miami, the first image that comes to most people's heads is of a beach with blue water, Caribbean style. It's no surprise, then, that one of the most popular neighborhoods frequented by tourists is South Beach, in the southern part of Miami Beach..
In addition to the proximity to the sea, there are several other attractions in the region. From the open-air shopping mall on Lincoln Road, Española Way with its countless restaurants serving cuisines from all over the world and several places to watch the sunset, such as South Pointe Park.
The best spot to stay is between 14th St. and 16th St., where the main hotels, bars and shops are located.. As it is easy to walk around the region, you can choose to stay on streets with smaller numbers to save a little.
Some of the best hotels are:
The Betsy Hotel (Category: Luxury)
Facing the beach and with exclusive access, the The Betsy Hotel It is located at fourteenth and fifteenth streets. With original works of art, the hotel has State-of-the-art gym and concierge service, plus an infinity pool. The rooms have wooden floors (something rare in the United States) and the bathroom is covered in marble, a luxury!
The property also has two restaurants, a steakhouse LT Steak & Seafood and Alley, an Italian restaurant. Parking costs US$45 per day and daily rates start from US$420.
Pestana South Beach Hotel (Category: Moderate)
5 minutes from the beach and a few minutes from all the shops, the Pestana South Beach Hotel It's a moderately priced four-star place to stay in Miami. The property has a swimming pool, parking, and the Mermaid Bistro and Bar restaurant where you can enjoy breakfast and lunch. The rooms have a flat-screen TV, air conditioning and free WiFi, and all have views of the garden, pool or city.
Daily rates are around US$200 for rooms with a king-size bed.
Viajero Miami (Category: Hostel)
It's even difficult to know where to start talking about Travel Miami. This spectacular hostel is just a few minutes from the beach and shops, and has three pools in a courtyard perfect for those looking to make friends during the trip. All rooms have private bathrooms, air conditioning and free wifi.
Daily rates are around US$65 for a bed in a shared room.
Mid Beach
Also in Miami Beach, a little north of the trendy South Beach, is Mid Beach. It is in this region, between 23rd and 63rd streets, that most of the luxury hotels are located, and where the most refined restaurants in the city are emerging.
This part of the beach is emptier than the south, and despite the number of tourists being smaller, the stretch of sand still has a good structure for those who want to enjoy the day. There are also few places to shop in the area, and if you prefer places close to the action when looking for where to stay in Miami, the ideal is to stay between 32nd and 36th St, in the Faena District. There you will find the Faena Bazaar shopping center and the Faena Forum cultural center.
If you like culture and art-deco, staying in one of the hotels located in restored old buildings is a great option.
Some of the best are:
Fontainebleau Miami Beach (Category: Luxury)
Many claim that it was the restoration of Fontainbleau that put Mid Beach back on the map. This five-star hotel faces the beach, and in addition to exclusive access, also offers its guests six outdoor swimming pools. Nine restaurants are also present within the property, with cuisines ranging from Chinese, Italian and Japanese.
Some rooms offer sea views, a balcony and free WiFi, and the house also has a spa and its own night club. The cheapest nightly rates start at around US$500.
Hotel Croydon (Cateogry: Moderate)
With free yoga sessions and complimentary happy hour, the Hotel Croydon It is located at 38th Street. With an outdoor pool overlooking the sea, the hotel also has a 24-hour restaurant that serves everything from breakfast to lunch and dinner. All rooms have air conditioning, a flat-screen TV and a minibar, and guests can also enjoy spa and gym services. One night costs around US$250.
Freehand Miami (Category: Hostel)
With an outdoor pool, bars, restaurants, and continental breakfast, Freehand Miami It is a super complete hostel. Just a few minutes' walk from the beach, guests can also enjoy a garden and free Wi-Fi. Both private and shared rooms have private bathrooms and individual lockers.
The atmosphere is great for solo travelers, with pool parties and other nighttime entertainment options. A bed in a dorm for 8 people costs around US$50.
Downtown Miami
Further away from Miami Beach, the Downtown Miami neighborhood offers countless options for those who want to enjoy the city without enjoying the sea so much.. With trolleys and Metromover free transport systems, it is also ideal if you are traveling to the area without renting a car.
You may also like this post: Miami without a car – Tips for using public transport.
Some of the most famous points in this part are the American Airlines Arena, where basketball games take place, and the Bayfront Park Amphitheater, open-air amphitheater. If you like museums, the History Miami tells the story of South Florida and is an unmissable stop. O Vizcaya Museum, despite not being in the neighborhood, is also nearby.
Among the options in the post, this is the region closest to the airport and tourist attractions such as Little Havana and Wynwood Walls. If you're going on day trips, Downtown is also a great base.
Some of the best hotels in the region are:
InterContinental Miami (Category: Luxury)
This five-star hotel offers breathtaking views of Biscayne Bay. O InterContinental Miami account with youm spa with ten treatment rooms, 24-hour gym and an 18-meter pool. With its own Starbucks on-site, guests can also enjoy other dining options like the Bluewater restaurant and Toro Toro, featuring Latin American cuisine.
The rooms offer a marble bathroom, flat-screen TV and minibar, and the cheapest nightly rates start from US$400.
Eurostars Langford (Category: Moderate)
In a restored historic building, Eurostars Langford offers modern amenities, ideal for travelers who like to mix classic elements with a little technology. There is an on-site restaurant and a covered terrace; Staff are helpful, with a 24-hour reception. The rooms have city views and soundproofing, as well as free WiFi, a minibar and a refrigerator. The cheapest rates cost an average of US$250 per night.
There are no hostel options in this area. If you want to save the most on accommodation, it's best to stay in one of the cheapest properties I listed in the section on where to stay in Miami Beach.
Brickell
In fact, the Brickell financial district is within Downtown Miami, but it has such different characteristics from the rest of the center that I wanted to mention it separately.
This area is home to the main skyscrapers and commercial buildings, and many people say it looks more like Manhattan than Miami itself. It is a slightly richer part, where many of the region's luxury hotels are located, as well as shopping malls with high-end stores. If your main goal is shopping, Brickell is probably the best place to stay. Be sure to visit Brickell City Center!
The best hotels in the region are:
EAST Miami (Category: Luxury)
With 4 swimming pools (including an Olympic size and a hydromassage pool) and a 24-hour gym, there is no shortage of activities in EAST Miami. Its completely new structure has the most modern technology to please guests, including a rain effect shower and free WiFi. On the 40th floor there is a bar to enjoy the view of the city, and it is also possible to enjoy the best of Uruguayan cuisine at Quinto La Huella, on the 5th floor.
Rooms have a minibar, balcony and terrace, and room rates start at US$500.
Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton
With an outdoor pool, business center and gym, this moderate category hotel has everything to please guests at a great price for the region. O Hampton Inn & Suites is close to the Metromover station, offers free WiFi and has a bar and two restaurants, which serve Chinese and American cuisine.
Rooms come with a flat-screen TV and air conditioning, and prices start at US$240 per night.
And there you have it, the best neighborhoods and hotels to stay in Miami! Personally, I found Airbnb prices to be very high near Miami Beach, but in Downtown and Brickell the prices are more reasonable, and this type of accommodation can be a good option if you are in a group.
Have you stayed at any of these hotels? Do you have any other recommendations? Tell me in the comments!