Miami sits on the shore of Biscayne Bay in southeast Florida, a coastal city whose barrier islands, mainland downtown and sprawling western suburbs together form one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United States. Its population is majority Hispanic and Latino, and its commercial and cultural ties to Latin America shape everything from the food to the language you will hear on the street.
For a visitor, the practical question is which side of the bay to base yourself on. The mainland holds the downtown core and the districts around it, while the barrier islands across the water hold Miami Beach and South Beach. The two are connected by causeways, so your choice affects how you spend your days as much as where you sleep. This guide covers the areas the source material identifies, what kind of traveller each suits, and how the price tiers differ.
Best areas to stay in Miami
1. South Beach
South Beach is the area most associated with Miami's hotel scene. It is where the city's boutique hotels cluster, and where designers such as Ian Schrager, André Balazs and Todd Oldham helped establish the area's reputation for creative hotel design. If you want to be in the middle of that scene, this is the area to base yourself in.
It suits first-time visitors who want the beach and the nightlife within walking distance, and travellers who prioritise atmosphere over room size. One practical point: many of the boutique properties here occupy buildings from the height of the Art Deco period, and rooms in those buildings can be small. If space matters more to you than design, look elsewhere.
2. Miami Beach (north and south of South Beach)
The larger barrier island beyond South Beach holds upscale high-rise hotels both north and south of the South Beach area. These give you beach access with more room to spread out than the Art Deco boutique properties.
This suits travellers who want the beach but value space, and those who prefer a high-rise to a small historic building. The island connects to the mainland by causeway, so you can still reach downtown and the rest of the city, but you are based across the water rather than in the city core.
3. Downtown Miami and the surrounding area
Downtown is the mainland core, home to one of the largest concentrations of international banks in the United States and to several large national and international companies. Upscale high-rise hotels are found near the downtown area as well as on the beach side.
This suits travellers who want to be on the mainland, close to the business district and within reach of the rest of the city rather than on the island. If your trip is built around the beach, note that you will be crossing a causeway to get there.
4. The Health District
The Health District is home to several major University of Miami–affiliated hospital and health facilities, including Jackson Memorial Hospital, the Miller School of Medicine and others engaged in health-related care and research.
This area suits visitors whose trip centres on the hospitals or the university, or who need to be close to them for an extended stay. It is a working medical and academic district rather than a leisure one, so treat it as a base of convenience rather than a holiday setting.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: Miami has its share of less costly chain hotels, which suit travellers who value space and money over design or atmosphere.
- Mid-range: Chain hotels and larger properties give you more room than the boutique options, and you can find them on the mainland as well as near the beach.
- Splurge: The boutique hotels of South Beach and the upscale high-rise hotels north and south of South Beach and near downtown are the top end of the market. Expect small rooms in some of the older Art Deco boutique buildings, and more space in the high-rises.
Best area for a first visit
South Beach is the best base for a first visit. It puts you in the area the city is best known for, with the beach and the boutique hotel scene on your doorstep, and it is the part of Miami most first-time visitors come to see. If you need more room than the Art Deco buildings allow, the high-rise hotels on Miami Beach just north and south of it are the natural alternative.
Frequently asked questions
When is the high season for hotels in Miami?
High season runs roughly from November to April, when temperatures are lower than in most of the United States but still warm. It coincides with events such as the Winter Music Conference and Spring Break.
How far in advance should I book?
If you want a room during high season, especially at a boutique hotel or anywhere on South Beach, book months in advance.
What taxes and charges apply to hotel rooms?
Hotels must charge a 12.5% room tax, and some hotels may add a 15% service charge. Whether that service charge is added can depend on whether you reserve through the hotel, a travel agent or an online site.
Should I check about parking before I book?
Yes. Some hotels offer garage or valet parking, so check with the hotel about parking before booking if you intend to drive around Miami.
Compare live prices for the areas above using the booking tools on this page.