A sense of place: Miami

Wake up to sea views and sip cocktails poolside at hotels that could only exist in Miami.

‘If you’ve been to one Hilton you’ve been to them all,’ was a phrase heard in the 90s when hotels were thrown up in haste, with little regard for design – or difference. Today’s hotel scene is a far cry from those days, with properties now striving to stand out in any way possible. From unconventional shapes to themed hotels, and Michelin-starred restaurants to incredible spas, hotels can be anything they want to be. Glitzy, coastal Miami – with its art deco flair – is no exception.

Celeb sightings and glittering nightlife at the Fontainebleau

Occupying 20 acres of an area of Miami Beach known as Millionaire’s Row, the Fontainebleau remains one of the hottest properties in town, known – and loved – for its marble floors, exuberant chandeliers, and beach-chic rooms. Expect serious food (in a choice of more than five restaurants) and a spa that’s as earnest about its treatments as it is its design.

Some of Miami’s most popular nightclubs and lounges can be found here, too, including the place to see – and be seen – LIV, where Heidi Klum often hangs out. But it’s al fresco La Côte bar – with its elevated stage overlooking a huge pool surrounded by palm trees – that draws the crowds. Entertaining guests since 1954, The King himself (yes, that’s Elvis) once played here; A-listers such as Lady Gaga and Katy Perry now regularly take to the stage. The pool parties are legendary.

Insider tip: A hotel this vast requires a bit of forward planning to see, and experience, all it has to offer.

Rejuvenation and old Florida charm at The Palms Hotel & Spa

Located in the quieter, up-and-coming Mid-Beach area of Miami, The Palms Hotel & Spa offers a breezy respite from South Beach’s pulsing pace. If the independent hotel’s green credentials, holistic AVEDA Spa and hushed beach don’t provide sufficient tranquility, the sprawling tropical gardens will. An afternoon spent reading a book on a bench surrounded by lofty bamboo and birdsong will calm even the most boggled of minds.

A recent spruce-up has freshened up the interiors, with cream walls, white shutters and burnt orange and lemon yellow furnishings complementing the original potted plants, terracotta floor tiles and old-fashioned rotating ceiling fans. It’s easy to forget the dining options here are limited when reading about Essensia Restaurant’s organic, farm-to-fork ethos, with healthy, locally sourced ingredients cooked with love. The terrace is the place for a nightcap.

Insider tip:Don’t leave without trying the hotel’s signature coconut – lobbed down from a palm tree that morning, the milk inside is refreshing and delicious.

Latin American flavors and an artistic edge at Faena Hotel Miami Beach

Bold, theatrical and unapologetically lavish, the Faena Hotel Miami Beach is designed for travelers who like their hotels to make a statement. Saturated colors, rich textures and striking contemporary art create a cinematic feel throughout the oceanfront property, which anchors the wider Faena District – an area reimagined as a hub for culture, performance and creative energy. Dining plays a central role, with restaurants that favor spectacle as much as flavor, from fire-led cooking to elevated global menus enjoyed in glamorous, design-heavy settings.

Rooms and suites continue the drama with a distinctive South American influence, featuring jewel-toned interiors, bespoke furnishings and sweeping views over the Atlantic or Biscayne Bay. Evenings often revolve around live music, with intimate shows and concerts adding to the sense that this is a hotel as much about experience as escape.

Insider tip: The expansive Tierra Santa Healing House offers deeply restorative spa experiences inspired by ancient South American healing rituals.

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