Do you want to find out where to stay in Miami? The three options popular for dining, shopping, and entertainment are South Beach, Bal Harbour, and Downtown. In addition to these, there are other great areas that one can recommend. Please read on to find out.
First, it’s important to know that Miami is divided into two main areas: one is Miami, which is the main city, while the other is Miami Beach, which is a group of islands off downtown Miami and is reached by a number of bridges. Out of all the beaches in Miami, the most famous, crowded, and probably the most visited is Miami Beach, consisting of South Beach.
Just like many other big city travel destinations, Miami is relatively pricey and one has to book early in an attempt to get relatively cheaper deals. The sticker shock comes when you visit Miami from January to April as this is viewed as the high season even as June to September is the low season and typically the cheapest time to visit Miami. Though it is relatively cheaper during the off-season, the daily flow of tourists common all year round makes it hard to get accommodation if you are planning at the last minute.
No wonder that a stay in this North American city is not for everyone’s pocket. Local charges for a double room in a good but basic hotel located in a good location cost over $100 per night. To this price, you have to add 15% as taxes and fees that are usually not declared in the costs given to you. If you are not so lucky financially, be prepared for a lower quality and less convenient location; the cheapest option would be a hostel, and for $15 you will get a bed in a dorm.
Best Areas to Stay in Miami: Top 9 Choices
Miami is not a cheap city, therefore accommodation is relatively expensive, but the good thing is, there are lots of choices. Hence, there is a need to be certain about the amount you are willing to spend before you begin your search for a hotel located in the best area.
1. South Beach: The Best Area to Stay in Miami
What’s the Story?
South Beach is situated on the southern press of Miami Beach on the shore of Biscayne Bay, right opposite Downtown Miami. This district is the Miami as we all have seen it through series and films telecasted all around the world. This is the most fascinating area; this is the most fashionable area and it contains all main attractions in Miami. It is undoubtedly the place that you would wish to spend your night at in Miami if your pocket permits.
Activities That Will Be of Interest to You:
South Beach must be the first prior to booking your hotel if it is going to be about the beach, the Art Deco architecture, the contemporary dining places, shopping, and clubbing. It’s a cutting-edge district with abundant leisure options: fashion shops, excellent restaurants, unlimited facilities for all sorts of recreation, a very rich choice for the sportsman, a packed cultural calendar, highly elite drinking places, and discotheques. One can hardly be bored in this area.
A normal day is to bathe at the beautiful seashore beach, play volleyball on the sand, or simply visit one of the stylish cafés on Ocean Drive. During the evening, it is pleasant to walk in clubs and get to one of the worldwide-known pubs, for instance, Nikki Beach Pub. South Beach’s nightlife is quite busy (and costly). It wouldn’t be wrong if I said that Miami has one of the best nightlife experiences to offer in the entire United States.
Of course, South Beach also has cultural sights. As you may have guessed, it is known as the Art Deco District, due to the fact that this style of architecture is represented here in its entirety. More of the elaborate structures have been turned into different commercial and business centers including shops and hotels; it is a wonderful experience to find a hotel. Because Miami’s vibe is captured at South Beach, it is the most desired place and one of the most costly areas to stay in Miami. If you wish to afford accommodation in this area, then it is advisable to pre-book your accommodation maybe six months earlier.
Good Hotels in South Beach
- 1 Hotel South Beach (€€€): This is a luxury hotel and it has an ideal location, magnificent accommodation, two swimming pools, a spa, a gym, and a kids’ club.
- The Setai Miami (€€€): An up-market hotel furnished in Asian-themed styles with facilities that include 3 swimming pools, 4 restaurants, and yoga/tai chi masters.
- Kasa el Paseo Miami Beach (€€): A 3-star hotel with good rates of fairly standard services and accommodation in the area of Española Way.
- Lennox Miami Beach (€€): It has classy and well-furnished rooms as well.
- Stardust Hotel (€): This one is relatively cheaper with well-equipped rooms compared to the others.
- Beds n’ Drinks (Hostel): A cheap lodging for tourists that encompasses private bedrooms and beds that can accommodate tourists in shared bedrooms.
2. Bal Harbour: Exclusive and Close to South Beach
What’s the Story?
Situated north of South Beach, the Bal Harbour area is distinct due to the fact that it is a high-net-worth residential area which is not as crowded as South Beach. You can get some nice lonely beaches, the feeling of quietness, good new wave restaurants, and shops that are free from the crowd. Everything mentioned above is near South Beach, therefore if you can afford it, this is one of the most preferable places to stay in Miami.
What is There to Do?
Exploring and understanding what there is to do is one of the most important aspects of life and is considered an art. Bal Harbour has quiet beaches, shopping, and eating centers. Its accommodation facilities are in the categories of luxurious hotels, apartments, and some motels. Even if prices in Bal Harbour have risen, it is not as cheap as some may think, but there are still mid-price range stores if one is willing to look around.
Bal Harbour Hotels of Choice
- The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort (€€€): A fanciful hotel providing guests with calm and exquisite purchasing.
- The Altair Bay Harbor Hotel (€€): Prestigious, comfortable, and contemporary, which provides good value for money.
- The Landon Bay Harbor-Miami Beach (€): Cheap but comfortable and centrally located rooms in a quiet location.
3. Downtown: Miami Central and Well-Connected
What’s the Story?
Downtown Miami lies on the other side of Biscayne Bay to the south of the crowded South Beach area. It is a business district, very much a working district, and there are a lot of museums and a lot of activity during the day. During the night it is comparatively quieter but there are some regions with good nightlife.
What is There to Do?
During the day, Downtown depicts an awful lot of visitors at places such as Bayside Marketplace, Miami Art Museum, and the Miami Heat stadium, to mention but a few. It is advised not to be on the streets at night, but the location in front of NE 11th Street has rather good nightclubs. Downtown is easily accessible to other favorite destinations and it is cheaper compared to South Beach.
Recommended Hotels in Downtown
- Four Seasons Hotel Miami (€€€): Provides excellent service, a swimming pool, and all the comforts of a high-end hotel.
- Mandarin Oriental Miami (€€€): Comfort with views of Biscayne Bay and nearby shopping centers.
- Hilton Miami Downtown (€€): It is in a better central area with reasonable facilities.
- Eurostars Langford (€€): Well-situated in relation to tourist points of interest.
4. Key Biscayne: High-Class and Classy
What’s the Story?
Key Biscayne is a rather small island situated south of Miami Beach; thus, it will provide guests with highly refined services and a private atmosphere. This enclave is one of the most select in Miami, and the vacation rentals remain at high prices for this reason. The island boasts of spectacular views, good beaches, and abundant and beautiful forests.
What is There to Do?
However, should you decide on one of the very few super first-class resorts, your tennis courts, golfing greens, and restaurants are the very best money can buy. The hotel supply is scarce and appropriate for premium tariffs.
Suggested Accommodations in Key Biscayne
- The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami (€€€): An exclusive hotel whose services and facilities are excellent.
- Beach Haus Key Biscayne Contemporary Apartments (€€): Triplexes with a swimming pool, suitable for families in modern buildings.
- Coral Reef at Key Biscayne (€€): A good number of cheap but clean and well-furnished rooms.
5. Wynwood and the Design District: Bohemian and Creative
What’s the Story?
The well-recognized area of Wynwood includes the Design District, which is enjoyed both by tourists and inhabitants. There are numerous art, decoration, and design companies in the district; hence, those interested in the modern and artistic aspect of Miami will find it appealing. Wynwood also continues to have an active nightlife and is home to bars, clubs, and restaurants.
What is There to Do?
Regarding the prices, the area is fairly affordable compared to the rest of the city’s tourist-oriented districts. It is more preferable for accommodation than Downtown and South Beach in Miami.
Recommended Hotels in Wynwood
- Hyde Suites Midtown Miami (€€€): Great apartments with great views and there’s also a pool.
- Hampton Inn & Suites Miami Midtown Design District, FL (€€): Condominiums or newly built apartments with a swimming pool in a central location.
- Up Midtown (€): An extremely low-priced motel with rather plain accommodations.
6. Coral Gables: Good Value for Money
What’s the Story?
Coral Gables is situated between Downtown and Coconut Grove. Founded in the 1920s, the neighborhood has the Mediterranean flair typical in architecture and the presence of trees in front of the houses.
What is There to Do?
The district of Coral Gables provides visitors a different perspective of Miami with excellent hotels, nice restaurants, and quality mall stores. Most travelers, tourists, business people, and anyone who is looking for affordable luxury and calmness would select it.
Choice Hotels in & Around Coral Gables
- Biltmore Hotel (€€€): Has elegant accommodations, its own golf course, tennis courts, fitness center, an enormous swimming pool, a spa, and a number of fine dining restaurants.
- Four Points by Sheraton Coral Gables (€€): A comfortable 4-star with a pool on the roof.
- Hotel Ponce de Leon (€): A cheap hotel with decent rooms without being fancy.
7. Coconut Grove: Culture and Recreation Services
What’s the Story?
Coconut Grove is famous for its virtually unending leisure activities/facilities which are open to locals and tourists at any time of the day. The neighborhood includes such facilities as fests, concerts, galleries, and cultural shows and exhibits. They also have all kinds and sorts of bars, restaurants, and shopping areas.
What is There to Do?
There are not many hotel choices in Coconut Grove, but they fit the middle class perfectly well. Costs are approximately 100 Euros for a night stay but this comes with a discount if one books well in advance.
Best Hotels in Coconut Grove
- The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, Miami (€€€): Provides the customers with comfort and class as well as high-quality services.
- The Mutiny Luxury Suites Hotel (€€): Nice and clean theme rooms with good views, a heated outdoor swimming pool, and a jacuzzi.
- Hampton Inn Miami-Coconut Grove/Coral Gables (€): A small hotel facility that has a swimming pool and is relatively cheap.
8. North Miami Beach: Good Prices
What’s the Story?
North Miami Beach, with an emphasis on the Aventura district, is mainly an attractive residential area of apartment buildings and private homes. Compared to hotspots such as South Beach or Downtown, it has shopping centers, golf courses, and various restaurants.
What is There to Do?
Bed and breakfasts are scarce, yet adequate for several tourists avoiding paying a lot of money for lodging. It has the cheapest prices in the city but with fairly decent quality due to the participation of 3-star hotels.
Recommended Hotels in North Miami Beach
- JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa (€€€): An option that can be considered as a luxury: golf and country club with 2 golf fields of 18 holes each.
- Hilton Aventura Miami (€€): Provides good facilities to the customers at a cheap cost.
- Courtyard by Marriott Miami Aventura Mall (€): Good facilities more appropriate for a 4-star hotel.
9. Little Havana: Cuban and Latin Feeling
What’s the Story?
Little Havana is all about sounds: When strolling its streets, one might as well be in another country. The area can be described as the best place to explore Cuban culture. The street named Calle Ocho has shops, cafes, tailors, and cigar shops with the music of salsa and merengue.
What is There to Do?
It looks very beautiful during the day, however, it is not safe to stroll at night even in lasers’ company. For vacation, it is less recommended to visit Miami and stay in these facilities due to a restriction in accommodation facilities.
Accommodation Hotel Recommendations in Little Havana
- Life House, Little Havana (€€): It is another beautiful option of a hotel located in Little Havana.
- Selina Miami River (€): An economy class hotel with the additional facilities of a swimming pool and restaurant.
- Brazilian Hostel Miami (Hostel): A quite acceptable standard of lodging for tourists who aim at saving money.
Conclusion
There is a great variety of areas in Miami that one can choose to stay at, and all the areas are a bit different in terms of the available services. This ranges from the nightlife hub of South Beach, the quieter elegance of Key Biscayne, and everything in between. Therefore, taking into consideration your budget and your preferences, you will be able to choose the right location for staying in Miami and to have a view of everything that this interesting city offers.