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Tripadvisor
- Miami hotels include many high-end luxury brands, but its boutique hotels are no less glamorous.
- From South Beach to Brickell, Miami’s boutique hotels great perks like pools and swanky rooftops.
- We selected Miami’s best boutique hotels based on personal experience, amenities, budget, and more.
Personal attention, intimate settings, and little risk of encountering large-scale conventions or spring break crowds are just a few reasons why many folks love to stay at boutique hotels.
In Miami, boutique hotels include those boasting historic architecture in renovated Art Deco or Mediterranean Revival buildings, hotels that feature intriguing design and style aesthetics, and properties with an ambiance that feels far from corporate. Boutique hotels’ smaller footprint makes them feel approachable, experiential, and most certainly, memorable.
Many boutique hotels in Miami are found in popular South Beach, though they’re quickly popping up all over the city in places like Edgewater, the Brickell/Downtown area, South Miami, Coconut Grove, and Coral Gables.
If you’re visiting Miami and prefer a refined stay that eschews big box brands, standard guest rooms, and sprawling resorts, here are the boutique hotels you should look to book.
Browse all the best boutique hotels in Miami below, or jump directly to a specific area:
- The best boutique hotels in Miami
- More on our methodology for selecting the best hotels
- FAQ: Miami boutique hotels
- More of the best hotels in and near Miami
These are the best boutique hotels in Miami, sorted by price from low to high.
The Plymouth South Beach
Book The Plymouth South Beach
One of only two designated Small Luxury Hotels of the World on the Eastern seaboard, The Plymouth South Beach is a design lover’s dream. From the dusty pink quilted headboards to the robust selection of antique armchairs in the lobby, the decor will surely inspire a few homeowner daydreams.
Standard rooms start at 250 square feet, and many strategically placed mirrors try to disguise the fact that the rooms and single marble-vanity bathrooms are diminutive in nature. The retro country French styling adds the requisite allure, however, and it’s completely worth the extra $60 to upgrade to a Terrace King, which offers 375 square feet, subway-tiled bathrooms with steam showers, and an outdoor space ideal for dining.
The excellent Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill in the lobby is as popular with locals as it is with hotel guests, and might require an advance reservation. And don’t miss a selfie at the original 1940s Art Moderne pool, one of the prettiest in Miami – and that’s saying a lot.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Circa 39 Miami Beach
Circa 39 Miami Beach
Book Circa 39 Hotel
Located in the Normandy Isles neighborhood of North Beach, the 97-guestroom Circa 39 is a colorful, Caribbean-styled retreat. It comprises two connected buildings with a lush courtyard that’s ideal for relaxing, reading a book, or sipping a tropical cocktail.
Rooms start at 200 square feet, which is smaller than most, but they’re also consistently cheaper. And what they lack in size they make up for in character with plenty of blues, greens, and oranges accenting teak furniture, plantation shutters, and hardwood floors. Bathrooms are simple and even smaller than the room might indicate. Upgrade for only $50 and a whole new world opens up on higher floors, including better views.
The public spaces, including WunderBar and Jules Kitchen give top vacation vibes as well, with lots of bright, layered textiles, wicker shades, and cane-back and cast iron furnishings. There’s a refreshing pool in back, and the beachfront here is frequented more by locals and less by tourists.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Read our full hotel review of Circa 39 Miami Beach
Urbanica The Meridian Hotel
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Book Urbanica The Meridian Hotel
A restored Art Deco building originally from the 19303, The Meridian fits right in on South Beach but stands out with its more sedate, high-end South of Fifth location.
Run by Urbanica The Hotels, a brand that specializes in boutique properties in Miami and Buenos Aires, the three-story Meridian features 71 rooms designed in minimalist style, with beds that have slatted wooden headboards and luxurious white duvets. The rooms themselves are small but are clean and bright with floor-to-ceiling windows. Some of them are over Minibar, a colorful speakeasy that gets its share of pretty people business, however. If you’re retiring early, ask for a room away from these amenities.
An attractive plunge pool is located on the rooftop, and plants abound in the outdoor public spaces. For fare, the famous New York City deli Regina’s Grocery offers Italian eats, and vending machines, a microwave, water, coffee, and tea supplement whenever the bar and cafe aren’t open.
No COVID-19 procedures are available on the website.
Novotel Miami Brickell
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Book Novotel Miami Brickell
Designed for the convenience of the business traveler – but without leaving out the staycation crowd – the Novotel Miami Brickell offers a fusion of boutique hospitality and efficient function. Located downtown, it’s less than a half-mile to the Metro station and 3.5 miles to Brightline Virgin MiamiCentral Station.
Standard rooms are less modestly sized than competitors, with room enough for a lengthy bureau/desk, bench, table, and chair in addition to beds with oversized, geometric wood headboards. If you don’t want to stare out at the great city views, the 50-inch LCD televisions offer plenty of entertainment, as do UVA bar and Lima restaurant in the soaring lobby.
The rooftop pool is the biggest draw here. A DJ mixes music while guests of all ages mingle poolside with drinks and fare from Vista Roof Top pool bar. While the seating is competitive and the pool bar sometimes understaffed, the scene has that appealing Miami vibe.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
The Redbury South Beach
The Redbury South Beach
Book The Redbury
A perennial favorite, The Redbury South Beach is a 69-room bohemian charmer that tends to every detail. From rooms with record players and curated vinyl collections to custom hemp-blend mattresses, this boutique gem delivers on its character-infused premise.
Rooms start at an unstinting 375 square feet and feature natural hues that reflect Miami’s famous light. Updated bathrooms with triple filtered-water and oversized steam showers and bathtubs are complemented by all-natural bath products. They’re quite nice for washing off the salt from the nearby Atlantic or the chlorine from the 12,000-square-foot rooftop pool.
That pool, by the way, with its terrific sight lines, is a social hot spot, day or night. Also a community darling: Cleo Mediterráneo, with its extensive menu of fresh, shareable mezze. Partake in any meal here before you depart for the day, or ask the attentive concierge team for ideas about other local spots to indulge.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
The Marlin Hotel
The Marlin
Book The Marlin Hotel
One of the smaller hotels on this list, The Marlin Hotel was also one of the first to be renovated in South Beach’s late 1980s/early 1990s renaissance. Continually updated in keeping with the times, the 33-room-and-suite hotel is a glam destination for leisure and business travelers, including musical celebrities who record at the in-house studio.
Hardwood floors, modular furniture, and sandy hues are accented by some primary colors in the pillows and rugs make for streamlined but groovy digs. Contemporary bathrooms with vessel sinks and rainfall showerheads wow, as do little luxury touches in rooms like Mistral Verbena Collection products, Astor “Sleep” pillow chocolates, and Nespresso coffee.
Make plans to dine at the award-winning northern Italian Osteria Del Teatro, which debuted on the beach in a different location in 1987. It seems only fitting that The Marlin houses it now. Continental breakfast is offered each morning as well.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Mr. C Miami – Coconut Grove
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Book Mr. C Miami – Coconut Grove
If you observe the 100-room Mr. C Miami – Coconut Grove from a distance, you might mistake it for a posh midcentury modern yacht. Art Deco influences include portholes and hairpin stilts, while the design inside leans heavily nautical with lots of glossy lacquered wood, rich blue tones, and sailing maps and photos.
Lodgings begin on the second floor with built-in bar carts and gem-tone headboards that seamlessly blend in with the deep blue walls. Everything is designed to feel like you’re on a sleek Italian superyacht cruising around Capri. The white marble and blue-tiled bathrooms and balconies separated from each other by sailing tarps heighten the oceanic impression.
On the rooftop, the indoor-outdoor Bellini is a dining destination and gathering place for the community as well as hotel guests. It’s revered for Italian pastas, seafood, and the signature drink for which it’s named, all served by white tuxedo-clad servers. After all, Mr. C is owned and run by the fourth generation of the Cipriani family, which also owns Harry’s Bar in Venice where the Prosecco cocktail was invented. A small but serene rooftop pool and an idyllic courtyard round out the tranquil offerings.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Read our full hotel review of Mr. C Miami – Coconut Grove
Prime Hotel Miami Beach
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Book Prime Hotel Miami Beach
Prime Hotel is something of a secret. It’s an extension of Myles Chefetz’s luxury Prime brand that includes Prime 112, Prime Fish, Prime Italian, and Big Pink, which are all some of the highest-earning restaurants in the nation.
The hotel is equally sweet, chic, and celebrity-frequented. It’s not unusual for rooms to be leased by high-caliber athletes and actors who only eat at Prime restaurants while in town, and for no one to know where they’re staying.
That said, the hotel is open to everyone, and is especially ideal for honeymooners, couples celebrating an anniversary, and travelers who enjoy privacy. It’s also surprisingly family-friendly, given that there are only 14 custom-designed rooms. The front desk offers 24/7 service and an on-site concierge can arrange anything from babysitting to beach activities.
Rooms are modern and chic with white and chrome decor and overlook South Beach’s upscale South of Fifth neighborhood through floor-to-ceiling windows. Many also have balconies. In addition, if you don’t want to walk the half-block to the beach, a rooftop pool is perfect for a spot of sunbathing or resting under the shade of the cabana.
The Betsy South Beach
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Book The Betsy South Beach
The Betsy South Beach comprises two renovated and connected buildings: The Betsy Ross, a Florida Georgian hotel on Ocean Drive, and The Carlton, an Art Deco hotel from 1938 that stands directly behind it on Collins Avenue. The main entrance is on Ocean Drive, just across from the beach.
Owned by the Plutzik-Goldwasser family, The Betsy is an epicenter for the literary, visual, and performing arts. The Lobby (with bar and restaurant), The B Bar, The Library, The Gallery, The Carlton Room (with bar and gallery), and rooftop spaces all host poetry readings, musical performances, academic lectures, visual arts displays, and more. Programming every day and night of the week allows guests up-close-and-personal meetings with artists-in-residence. Also, meet the CEOs – Canine Executive Officers – at golden (retriever) hour on Fridays.
One of the larger boutique hotels on the list, The Betsy offers a wide variety of rooms and suites. They start at 250 square feet, which is small, but the art-filled public spaces are generous and vibrant. Food and beverage offerings are under the direction of Laurent Tourondel; don’t hesitate to luxuriate in the dishes at LT Steak & Seafood – especially the noteworthy popovers.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Read our full hotel review of The Betsy South Beach
The Villa Casa Casuarina
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Book The Villa Casa Casuarina
Gianni Versace’s storied former mansion is a Miami Beach landmark, and now, an intimate hotel. While prices are usually sky-high, weekdays in the off-season offer a relative bargain in this all-suite, elaborately decked-out hotel.
Originally built in 1930 by wealthy architect Alden Freeman as an apartment building, the Spanish-Mediterranean property is now a 10-suite hotel, thanks to Versace’s $32 million investment and that of various owners over the years after his murder.
Staying at The Villa Casa Casuarina affords you access to the historical statues, columns, fountain, and the absolutely stunning Thousand Mosaic Pool, which is made out of 24k gold tiles.
The suites themselves are absolutely lavish with murals on walls and ceilings, plus tapestries, carved rare wood furniture, objets d’arts, and more. Marble bathrooms include oversized double showerheads and double sinks, and every suite has a balcony or terrace; some even have two. It may be hard to leave these quarters for even a second, but do head up to the Rooftop Lounge for a sunset drink.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
More on our methodology for selecting the best hotels
In addition to the criteria above, I considered the following factors:
My experience: I’ve been living in Miami since 1992 and covering the entire state as a food-and-travel writer since then for a large variety of international publications and guidebooks.
I’ve also personally stayed in many of these hotels over the years and can vouch for their overall experience. Some, we’ve even reviewed too.
Overall features: The best boutique Miami hotels are intimate and filled with character. They feature eye popping design, rooftop views of the city, and restaurants that highlight the uniqueness of Miami’s population. All of them offer amenities including fitness centers and pools, design elements that preserve Miami’s historic architecture, and use artists and artisans to showcase the city’s cultural diversity.
COVID-19: Florida has lifted statewide restrictions on masking and does not allow private businesses to directly ask about vaccination status. However, many businesses still choose to follow CDC protocols that prioritize the health and safety of their guests with new cleaning policies and masking in public spaces.
Ratings: We consulted reviews and ratings on sites such as Trip Advisor, Hotels.com, Booking.com, and others to ensure others’ experiences were also overwhelmingly positive.
FAQ: Miami boutique hotels
What’s the difference between Miami, Miami Beach, and Miami-Dade?
The City of Miami is part of Miami-Dade County. Miami Beach is also in Miami-Dade County. Miami, the mainland, and Miami Beach, a long peninsula that includes South Beach and North Beach among other municipalities, are separated by Biscayne Bay. To get from one to the other, you drive over long bridges known as causeways. Still, many locals and visitors alike refer to the wide-ranging coastal region simply as “Miami.”
The third most-populated metropolis on the east coast of the country, once-sleepy Miami has become, in the past couple of decades, a major player in technology, arts and culture, sports, and international commerce, among other kinds of finance and business. Located on the southeast coast of Florida, Miami-Dade County is part of a tri-county unit known as South Florida, which includes Broward (where Fort Lauderdale is) and Palm Beach counties. The only county below Miami-Dade is Monroe, where the Florida Keys are located.
What’s the difference between a boutique hotel and a regular hotel?
Boutique hotels are usually defined by their number of rooms, which should be between 1-100. Sometimes, though, they’re referred to as boutique if they’re independently owned, like The Betsy South Beach, which started as one building but then added on over the years.
They’re also often called boutique if their services relate to or are deliberately engaging with the immediate, surrounding community, like Novotel Miami Brickell, in addition to catering to travelers.
Historic Overtown (see The Copper Door B&B, a charming bed-and-breakfast that is taking COVID precautions seriously) and Little Havana (where Life House, which closed during the pandemic, first paved the way), too, are becoming places to stay as their cultural resources are increasingly recognized as the citywide treasures that they are.
What’s the best neighborhood to stay in Miami?
That depends on what you’re in town to do. If you’re visiting for business, Brickell/Downtown is the center of the finance district and has plenty of access to Biscayne Bay as well as restaurants and nightlife via Mary Brickell Village and City Centre.
If you’re more invested in a beach vacation, North Beach (and its nearby neighborhoods like Surfside) is a quieter destination with beautiful white-sand beaches. If you want to combine it all, South Beach offers 24/7 sun-and-moon entertainment.
Coconut Grove, the once-bohemian neighborhood, is filled with boutiques, bars, and sidewalk cafes and also rims the bay. Coral Gables, a bit more west and home of University of Miami, is known for its stately homes as well as diversity of shops and restaurants on Miracle Mile.
If you’re in it for the culture, check out budding new spaces in Little Havana and Historic Overtown.
What is there to do in Miami?
Miami is renowned for its restaurant, nightlife, and arts scene, including the ever-popular Wynwood Walls and other galleries. It’s also popular for its beaches, boating, fishing, and other water activities. And it’s a festival city, with fairs ranging from Art Basel Miami Beach to the South Beach Wine & Food Festival to Ultra Music Festival.
Miami-Dade County has a ton of historic, natural, and cultural attractions, including Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, the Deering Estate, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens, Everglades National Park, South Beach and its one-square-mile of Art Deco architecture, the Adrienne Arsht Center for Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County, the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM), New World Center, home of the New World Symphony, and its WALLCAST Concerts at SoundScape Park, and Miami City Ballet, to name just a few.
Many of the arts institutions have seasonal calendars, taking the hot summer months off, but some museums and performing arts centers have year-round programming. It’s worth keeping in mind that with the hot weather comes hurricane season. From June 1 to November 30, Miami does see its share of storm watches/warnings as well as actual storms.
Do I need a car in Miami?
While Miami-Dade public transportation includes the Metrorail, Metromover, Metrobus, and various free neighborhood trolleys, most visitors find it limited and confusing. Ride-share services are popular.
Many people also do like to rent a car to visit further-flung attractions like Everglades National Park and Biscayne National Park, or take day trips to Fort Lauderdale or Palm Beach. Car rental deals are always available, and experts say renting one in a pandemic is safe. Additionally, these are the best car rental companies. Miami International Airport has 14 car rental agencies on site.
Is Miami expensive?
Even with smaller boutique hotels, hotel room prices have been on the rise, according to Statista: “The average cost for overnight accommodation in Miami was 152 U.S. dollars in April 2021, up from the previous month’s average of 143 U.S. dollars. Overnight accommodation costs in the city have been increasing in the first quarter of the year.” And, of course, they’re far above what they were during the height of the pandemic.
In fact, after an initial lockdown, Miami stayed relatively open at reduced capacity, making the city a popular destination. In addition, the state’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research reported that Florida overall has seen an increase of 329,717 new residents between April 2020 and April 2021, many who needed temporary addresses while searching for homes. So it shouldn’t be a surprise that costs, along with parking spots and restaurant reservations, are competitive.
Our advice: Be patient with rising prices, temperatures, and tempers as Miami continues to heat up as a popular destination for everyone from the tech and real estate industries to vacationers.
Weekday and weekend rates will vary wildly for hotels, spiking especially high during popular festivals. Resort fees also range widely but often include bicycle rentals, barre or yoga classes, happy hours, or breakfast.
Are hotels safe?
Yes, experts agree hotels are safe, provided you take the necessary precautions outlined by the CDC. Additionally, the CDC now says fully vaccinated people can safely travel in the US. All the hotels on this list are open and accepting guests.
That said, the state of Florida has lifted governmental restrictions and protocol for COVID-19. Still, you should keep in mind that many private businesses still opt to follow the CDC masking and social distancing guidelines and come prepared with safety precautions for hotels, restaurants, and other businesses who might enforce their own rules on the premises of their properties.
In addition, services are subject to Covid-19 restrictions. Some spa, transportation, and entertainment amenities might be curtailed or unavailable. Others might be on their way to being reinstated.
More of the best hotels in and near Miami
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