Pulse Reviews and Analysis
Top 10 Resorts in Miami
Direct Answer
The best resorts in Miami for 2027 cluster along three beachfront stretches: South Beach, Mid-Beach, and the Bal Harbour / Surfside / Sunny Isles luxury corridor to the north, plus the island calm of Key Biscayne. The standouts are the properties that earned Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star status and **U.S.
News top-hotel rankings for 2026, led by Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club, which landed at No. 9 on U.S. News & World Report's best hotels in the United States. For travelers who want true Miami glamour at a more accessible entry price, Loews Miami Beach Hotel** is our best-value pick, delivering a prime South Beach oceanfront location and full resort amenities below the city's ultra-premium rates.
Every property below is currently operating and independently verifiable through official sites, Forbes Travel Guide, U.S. News, and Tripadvisor. Nightly rates reflect typical 2026-2027 booking windows and move with season, room category, and demand; expect peak winter (December-March) pricing and Art Basel and holiday surges.
Book several months ahead for the best beachfront rooms.
How We Ranked These
We weighted Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star recognition, U.S. News best-hotels placement, verified guest sentiment on Tripadvisor and Google, amenity depth (private beach, pools, spa, dining), and real nightly pricing from official channels and major platforms. We spread the list across Miami's distinct beach districts so it serves a South Beach party trip, a Mid-Beach art-and-design stay, and a quiet Bal Harbour or Key Biscayne escape.
We excluded any property we could not independently confirm as open and bookable.
1. Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club 🏆 BEST OVERALL
Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club in Surfside is Miami's most refined luxury resort and our top pick, having landed at No. 9 on U.S. News & World Report's 2026 list of best hotels in the United States and earned Forbes Five-Star status. Set on nine beachfront acres just north of the South Beach crowds, the property restored the legendary 1930s Surf Club and paired it with sleek contemporary towers.
Guests get ocean-facing rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, separate adults-only and family-friendly pools, a destination spa, and dining from a Michelin-starred chef at Le Sirenuse Miami. The service is the polished Four Seasons standard, and the historic-meets-modern setting is unlike anything else in the city.
Nightly rates typically run from about $900 to $2,500 depending on season and view, climbing higher for oceanfront suites in peak winter. For travelers who want the best of Miami luxury without the South Beach frenzy, nothing tops it.
2. Acqualina Resort & Residences on the Beach
Acqualina in Sunny Isles Beach is a Forbes Five-Star, Mediterranean-inspired oceanfront resort that consistently ranks among Miami's very best. The property is anchored by three oceanfront pools, the acclaimed ESPA at Acqualina spa, and a beachfront marine-biology program for kids, all on a glamorous stretch of Atlantic sand.
Suites are spacious and residential in feel, and dining options like the on-sand Costa Grill round out a genuinely complete resort experience. It blends family-friendliness with serious luxury better than almost any property in the area.
Nightly rates generally start around $700 and rise past $1,500 for oceanfront suites during high season. For polished beach luxury with room to spread out, Acqualina is a top choice.
3. Faena Hotel Miami Beach
Faena Miami Beach in Mid-Beach is the city's most theatrical Forbes Five-Star resort, filled with dramatic art including a gilded mammoth skeleton by Damien Hirst, a hand-painted ceiling, and a red-and-gold cabaret theater. It is luxury staged as spectacle, and it does it brilliantly.
Beneath the showmanship is a serious resort: the Faena Spa, an oceanfront pool, and acclaimed restaurants make it more than a scene. The beachfront location and attentive service back up the drama.
Nightly rates typically start near $564 in shoulder periods and climb past $1,500 for suites and peak dates. For travelers who want a resort with genuine artistic personality, Faena stands alone in Miami.
4. The Setai Miami Beach
The Setai sits in the heart of South Beach yet feels like a serene sanctuary, blending Art Deco architecture with Asian-inspired interiors of muted tones and clean lines. Guests consistently praise its three infinity pools set at graduated temperatures, the destination spa, and the calm that sets it apart from the surrounding party scene.
The atmosphere is more zen retreat than nightclub hotel, which discerning travelers prize in a South Beach address. Service is gracious and the oceanfront location is prime.
Nightly rates commonly run from about $800 to $2,000, rising for suites and peak winter weeks. For understated, design-forward South Beach luxury, The Setai is the pick.
5. 1 Hotel South Beach
1 Hotel South Beach brought eco-conscious luxury to South Beach and has set the tone for the brand since 2015. The LEED Certified Silver building uses reclaimed wood and lush biophilic design to minimize energy and water use, and the 425-room property (including 168 suites) feels organic and airy.
Guests get four pools (including a rooftop pool with skyline views), a strong wellness and fitness program, an oceanfront location, and natural-material rooms. It is the rare luxury resort that pairs sustainability with genuine style.
Nightly rates typically range from about $600 to $1,500 depending on season and room type. For travelers who want eco-chic South Beach without sacrificing comfort, it is an easy recommendation.
6. The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort
The St. Regis Bal Harbour is a Forbes Five-Star oceanfront resort in upscale Bal Harbour, steps from the luxury Bal Harbour Shops. The property delivers the brand's signature butler service, an expansive spa, multiple beachfront pools, and large residential-style rooms with ocean views.
The Bal Harbour setting is quieter and more refined than South Beach, drawing travelers who want luxury shopping and calm beaches over nightlife. Dining and service are consistently rated among the city's best.
Nightly rates generally run from about $800 to $2,000, climbing for suites and peak winter. For St. Regis polish in Miami's most exclusive enclave, it is a standout.
7. The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami
Named to the 2026 Condé Nast Traveler Hot List following its renovation, The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne sits on a quiet barrier island minutes from downtown yet feels removed from the city. It pairs a private beach with a large spa, multiple pools, and a well-regarded tennis program.
The island location gives it a calmer, more residential feel than the beach hotels of South Beach, which couples and families seeking quiet appreciate. The refreshed rooms and dining have returned it to the top tier.
Nightly rates commonly run from about $600 to $1,400 depending on season and view. For Ritz-Carlton service with genuine island seclusion near the city, it is an excellent choice.
8. Fontainebleau Miami Beach
The iconic Fontainebleau in Mid-Beach is Miami's most recognizable resort, a sprawling Morris Lapidus masterpiece that fuses mid-century glamour with a high-energy modern scene. With more than 1,500 rooms, multiple pools, a major spa, celebrity-chef dining, and the famed LIV nightclub, it is the city's quintessential big-resort experience.
It is lively rather than tranquil, and that is the appeal: this is where you come for the full Miami Beach spectacle without leaving the property. The oceanfront pools and cabana scene are legendary.
Nightly rates typically range from about $400 to $1,200, with suites and peak weekends higher. For travelers who want the iconic, energetic Miami Beach resort, the Fontainebleau is the one.
9. Loews Miami Beach Hotel 💎 BEST VALUE
Loews Miami Beach Hotel is our best-value pick, delivering a prime South Beach oceanfront address and full resort amenities at rates noticeably below the city's Five-Star tier. The large property anchors the northern, calmer end of Ocean Drive with a beachfront pool, a spa, multiple restaurants, and strong family programming.
It manages to be both a genuine resort and an accessible one, which is rare on South Beach. The location puts the Art Deco District, dining, and nightlife within an easy walk while keeping a relaxed, family-friendly feel.
Nightly rates commonly run from about $350 to $900, rising for oceanfront rooms and peak winter. For travelers who want a real South Beach resort experience without ultra-luxury pricing, Loews is the smart spend.
10. The Ritz-Carlton South Beach
The Ritz-Carlton South Beach brings the brand's reliable luxury to a restored Art Deco landmark in the heart of South Beach. The property pairs a beachfront pool, a spa, and oceanfront dining with the energy of its Collins Avenue location, balancing service polish with South Beach style.
It suits travelers who want Ritz-Carlton consistency but prefer to be in the middle of the action rather than on a quiet island. The rooms and pool deck reflect a recent refresh.
Nightly rates typically run from about $600 to $1,500 depending on season and room type. For dependable luxury right in South Beach, it closes out the list strongly.
FAQ
What is the single best resort in Miami for 2027? Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club in Surfside, which ranked No. 9 on U.S. News & World Report's 2026 best hotels in the United States and holds Forbes Five-Star status, set on nine private beachfront acres.
Which Miami resort offers the best value? Loews Miami Beach Hotel delivers a prime South Beach oceanfront location, a beachfront pool, a spa, and family amenities at roughly $350-$900 a night, well below the city's Five-Star resorts.
Which Miami resorts earned Forbes Five-Star status for 2026? The 2026 Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star winners in the Miami area are Acqualina Resort & Residences, Faena Hotel Miami Beach, Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club, The Setai Miami Beach, and The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort.
Which Miami resort is best for a quiet, luxury escape? Four Seasons at The Surf Club and The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne offer the calmest top-tier stays, removed from the South Beach crowds while still on the water.
Which Miami resort is most iconic for the full Miami Beach experience? The Fontainebleau Miami Beach, a Morris Lapidus mid-century landmark with legendary pools, celebrity-chef dining, and the LIV nightclub, is the quintessential high-energy Miami Beach resort.
When should I book to get the best Miami rates? Book 3-6 months ahead for peak winter (December-March) and avoid Art Basel and holiday weeks when rates spike. Late spring and early fall bring the lowest nightly prices across the city.
Bottom Line
Miami's best resorts are defined by their districts. Choose Four Seasons at The Surf Club or Acqualina for quiet ultra-luxury north of the crowds, Faena or The Setai for art-and-design glamour, 1 Hotel South Beach for eco-chic style, Fontainebleau for the iconic Miami Beach spectacle, **The St.
Regis Bal Harbour for exclusive shopping-district calm, The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne for island seclusion, and Loews Miami Beach** for the best value. Match the resort to the trip, book your winter dates early, and you will land one of the best stays in the city.
Sources
- U.S. News & World Report — Best Hotels in the U.S. 2026
- Forbes Travel Guide 2026 Five-Star Award winners
- Robb Report — The 10 Best Luxury Hotels in Miami 2026
- Acqualina Resort & Residences — official site
- Faena Miami Beach — KAYAK rates and reviews
- Tripadvisor — Best Luxury Beach Resorts in Miami Beach 2026
- The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort — Expedia 2026 reviews and rates
*Searching for the top resorts in Miami, the best Miami resort review, Miami resorts rating, or a Miami resort review 2027 — this ranking of the best resorts in Miami is your verified, real-property guide.*