Miami Hotel Thoughts

Four Seasons Miami (Downtown/Brickell)

LOVED this hotel. They just completed a huge (much needed) renovation after previous owners let the property go for 20 years. It’s a tad modern (unusual for a Four Seasons) and has an impressive art collection on display throughout the property. The hotel used to be almost all business travelers, but has shifted towards leisure travelers over the past five years or so as Brickell has gained in popularity. The hotel does not currently have a kids club (their sister property, Surfside, does) but they are very close to the required percentage of leisure guests required to add a kids club. Every single staff member here is lovely and I can’t forget the chef who proudly showed off the giant tomahawks he was carrying. This hotel has multiple large pools, but they are still planning to complete some minor renovations to add more lounging space since they do run out of pool chairs on popular weekends. I am obsessed with the extra “lounge” pool that is only about a foot deep and has many hammocks hanging from palm trees above the water; it’s Insta-famous! Note that even though this Four Seasons is close to the water, there is a property between it and the water, blocking the views. Their weekend brunch is really popular with both locals and guests and features live music, fresh paella, tomahawk steak, a seafood station and more.

EAST Miami (Downtown/Brickell)

I love their tech-forward features, like an elevator that automatically selects your floor when you scan your room key, and I LOVED the purified water dispenser in the hotel room (more hotels need this.) The hotel also has glass balconies with great views of the city and the water (not for the faint of heart). Some of the room categories have bathtubs with views. The hotel’s resort fee includes the gym (Pelotons included), group personal training and group fitness classes. 

Hyatt Centric Brickell Miami (Downtown/Brickell)

This hotel is perfectly situated very close to the port and is actually one of the hotels that Virgin Voyages contracts with for pre-stays for guests. It’s a great budget option that is comfortable yet affordable and walkable to many restaurants/bars. It has a restaurant and it also has a good amount of event space if you need to book groups for events or group dining. They have a rooftop pool although it’s a bit drab in terms of decor/aesthetics.

The Setai Miami (Miami Beach)

Loved this hotel! The staff were all so friendly and helpful. The bellmen especially stood out for their wonderful conversation skills and general demeanor. I tried both of their restaurants, the breakfast buffet and room service and everything was delicious! The pool is quiet and peaceful, which is appreciated with how loud and crazy the lobby is on weekends. There are three pools set up parallel to each other, one is 70 degrees, one is 80, and one is 90. Only the 90 degree pool is family friendly, the other two are adult only. The hotel has two towers — the historic tower, known as “Art Deco” (all with King beds and minimal views) or the Ocean tower (1, 2, 3, or 4 bedroom residence style suites with ocean views, balconies, kitchens & washers and dryers). The hotel also has beach chairs and cabanas with food & drink service on the beach.

P.S. I saw Drake twice while staying here (apparently he has been at least 10 - 15 times) so, if the hotel is good enough for Drake, it’s good enough for almost anyone! 

SLS South Beach

This is definitely the hotel for the young hip guests who want to party but still stay somewhere comfortable. The standard rooms are cozy and decorated mostly in white (a risky choice for a party hotel). Loved the hotel's elevated minibar offerings with more modern snack options - like Sugarfina! This hotel has two hip restaurants, multiple bars, and 2 pools, one of which operates as a day club on weekends. The villas and suites are close to the beach and have more space (no separate living rooms for the suites) but are situated right over the party pool so I would not recommend these for those who want a quiet room to relax. The lobby is a bit small and dark but it’s a historic building (originally a Ritz in the 1930s) so they cannot make changes to the structure.

FYI - Lenny Kravitz designed the Villa and Tower Penthouses, in case you're nto that kind of thing. 

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Miami. In need of further inspiration? Check out Sharon Iannone’s guide, 10 Things to Do in Miami After a Cruise.