The Top 10 Greater Miami Beach Resort Hotels in 2018

By Jacqueline Gifford
July 10, 2018
Courtesy of Faena
Travelers to Miami Beach have some tough decisions to make. Do they want their hotel to come with an impressive art collection — including a massive Damien Hirst sculpture of a woolly mammoth? Check in to the Faena Hotel, which placed 10th this year in our list of readers’ favorite hotels. Or how about a buzzy Italian restaurant where the kitchen makes its own pasta and flies in the burrata fresh from Italy? Stop by the new Four Seasons Hotel at the Surf Club (No. 4), where said restaurant, Le Sirenuse Miami, is keeping locals and guests well fed. At either of these properties — plus the other eight that made the cut — there are plenty of diversions to keep one entertained.

Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Hotels were rated on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. Properties were classified as city or resort based on their locations and amenities.

Related: The 2018 World's Best Awards

The Betsy, built in 1942 and unique in the city for its Georgian-style architecture, continues to impress our readers with its cultural programming. The property hosts an a cappella festival in November and a chamber music festival in the summer. It also invites authors to come and stay in its Writer’s Room, honing their craft while participating in community service. “Love their style, service, and dedication to arts and literature,” said one reader.

Wellness is another thing these properties emphasize. The 74-room COMO Metropolitan Miami Beach features a hydrotherapy pool on the roof, Dr. Hauschka facials, and specialty juice menus. Acqualina Resort & Spa, in Sunny Isles, has a 20,000-square-foot space that includes an over-the-top Royal Spa Treatment Suite built for two. “This is a beautiful property, right on the beach and family owned,” said one fan. “The employees all care very much for their clients.”

Indeed, when it comes down to it, superior service, as well as proximity to the Miami area’s immaculately kept shores, is what all of these 10 hotels have in common. But one did take home top honors this year — read on for more on the winner, and to see how the other resort hotels ranked.
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10. Faena Hotel, Miami Beach

Credit: Courtesy of Faena

Score: 86.95

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9. W, South Beach

Credit: Courtesy of W South Beach

Score: 86.96

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8. COMO Metropolitan, Miami Beach

Credit: Courtesy of Como Metropolitan Miami Beach

Score: 87.33

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7. Acqualina Resort & Spa, Sunny Isles

Credit: Courtesy of Acqualina Resort & Spa

Score: 87.55

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6. The Standard, Miami Beach

Credit: Courtesy of The Standard Spa, Miami Beach

Score: 90.00

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5. Soho Beach House, Miami Beach

Credit: Courtesy of Soho Beach House

Score: 90.12

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4. Four Seasons Hotel at the Surf Club, Surfside

Credit: Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club

Score: 91.11

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3. Palms Hotel & Spa, Miami Beach

Credit: Courtesy of The Palms Hotel & Spa

Score: 91.48

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2. The Betsy, South Beach

Credit: Courtesy of The Betsy

Score: 93.39

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1. The Setai, Miami Beach

Credit: Courtesy of The Setai

Score: 94.60

“From check-in to checkout, everything was amazing,” said one respondent about the Setai. A mainstay along the beach since the hotel opened in 2004, the property has both a restored Art Deco tower and newer 40-story glass wing; contemporary, Asian-influenced design shines in both. Three pools, each heated to a different temperature; complimentary beachside yoga; and a restaurant highlighting Pan-Asian cooking all keep guests happy. “Wonderful cuisine and excellent service,” added another fan.

See all of our readers' favorite hotels, airlines, cruise lines, and more in the World's Best Awards for 2018.

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By Jacqueline Gifford