Miami’s Beautiful Boutique Hotels

Sure, Miami boasts some of the most over-the-top resorts and hotels in the nation. But, don’t overlook our boutique hotels, which may be small in size but are big on beauty. Here is a list of ten top beauties that offer prime locations, history and tons of style.

With only 29 rooms, this adults-only boutique hotel located in Miami’s South of Fifth neighborhood (SOFI) offers an intimate or romantic stay just one block from the beach. Guests will be in awe of original artwork that flows from the lobby to guestrooms, along with stunning interior designs with antique touches, including the original Cuban tile flooring. Guests will receive a history lesson on the Mother of Miami, Julia Tuttle, an American businesswoman who is widely responsible for the land that Miami, Florida was built. The hotel is inspired by her and a shell- encrusted bust of Tuttle adorns the reception desk. Guests can indulge in a complimentary French-style continental breakfast, and a wine-and-cheese happy hour in the evening.

Situated on a wide stretch of Miami Beach, this under-the-radar boutique hotel is a quiet, tropical paradise meant for pure relaxation. Fresh off a renovation to all 251 guestrooms and suites, its 95 oceanfront rooms offer stunning floor-to-ceiling panoramic views of the tropical foliage, pool and turquoise ocean. Guests can wander the property engulfed with exotic gardens and say hello to the resident birds. Cool off in the palm-lined pool, settle into a lounger or cabana on the beach, belly up to the tiki bar, or retreat to the AVEDA spa. Don’t miss indoor or outdoor dining at Essensia, a farm-to-table restaurant, along with a tour of the onsite organic chef's garden.

Although it’s located on busy Collins Avenue, right across from the beach, this small hotel feels like a secluded hideaway. The bright lobby is layered in an eclectic mix of colors and styles, and the 97 guestrooms, which are spread between two buildings, offer the feel of an island stay with custom-designed furnishings in white and teak, solid wood floors and plantation-style shutters. The stars of the hotel are WunderGarden, a hidden courtyard that presents many spots to chill out, and the lush pool deck which is often the scene for barbeque parties and wellness events. Sip a rum cocktail from cheery WunderBar — they offer more than 80 different rum brands — and then indulge in global comfort food at Jules Kitchen.

Tucked away on pedestrian-only Española Way in South Beach, this pink-stuccoed hotel will charm you with its Spanish-French revival style and romantic Juliet balconies that overlook alfresco cafes and restaurants that line the cobblestone street below. After a renovation in 2017, the budget-friendly boutique hotel spans across seven villas with 71 rooms and suites fitted with gauzy white curtains, bold pops of color and an eclectic collection of pottery, books, blankets and framed vintage photos. Guests can cozy up in the living room fitted with a Bookleggers Library and vintage record player, and sip complimentary coffee that’s served 24-hours a day. Grab a complimentary glass of wine as you mingle with other guests at the evening social hour that happens Monday through Thursday, then hit famous Española Way for more than 15 eateries and entertainment like live flamenco shows.

This private oasis in the middle of South Beach, just two blocks from bustling Ocean Drive, recently underwent a major renovation that revealed a rooftop pool and 85 freshly minted guestrooms. Stop at the beautiful, hand-carved marble check-in desk, then make your way to oversized guestrooms fitted with white wood floors, Frette cotton sheets, spacious walk-in showers and soaking tubs. Every room features a private terrace or balcony that overlooks the city or lush courtyard. Dine at their new seafood-centric restaurant Seawell for raw bar items and shellfish platters, and sip cocktails at Minnow Bar where gin takes center stage. For further relaxation, book an in-room treatment like a massage or facial with K’Alma Journeys.

Float in the small plunge pool with a glass infinity edge that overlooks a canal and palm trees; lounge in hammocks, daybeds or chairs that surround the pool; then grab your traveling partner to volley at the ping pong table or play games like Jenga. Grab a drink or play some pool in the lobby bar, then enjoy dishes infused with Latin American flavors at Ola restaurant. The hotel is a quick walk from South Beach’s Collins Park, the newly renovated Miami Beach Convention Center and the beach.

Many visitors don’t make it to Miami’s Upper East Side neighborhood, but a stay at this retro-chic hotel along the trendy Biscayne corridor offers a true look into how the locals live. A former motel, the Vagabond boasts Miami Modern (MiMo) architecture and a kitschy neon sign that will lure you into a world of past and present fun. Don’t mistake its past for being outdated — the 42 rooms are sleek with high-tech must-haves like flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi, along with 1950s inspired custom-made furniture, hypoallergenic Italian beds and original terrazzo floors. Rooms open onto the lush courtyard and a glittering pool that’s a tropical oasis during the day but turns into a sceney party after 5 p.m. when the locals congregate at the pool bar for cocktails like the signature Vagabond Collins.

Spend the day by the pool bar, which is for hotel guests only until 5 p.m. and open to the locals until midnight on weekends. With feel-good vibes and luscious cocktails like the signature Vagabond Collins, this is the place to have fun and be yourself.

With the soothing feel of a chic, coastal beach house, perhaps in the Hamptons, this 18-room hotel in South Beach’s residential South of Fifth neighborhood offers many Instagrammable moments. Sunny guestrooms are swathed in tranquil blues and beige, and many boast private balconies that offer a peek at the ocean. Head to the rooftop pool to snap a photo in front of the murals of several diving beauties or jump on a complimentary bike to explore the neighborhood. Join the locals at onsite Local House restaurant to dine on the wraparound front patio where you’ll order tuna tacos, a decadent burger or Champagne-poached snapper.

Owned by Miami royalty Gloria and Emilio Estefan, and the scene of several Hollywood movies like The Birdcage and Marley & Me, this historic gem recently underwent a $15 million top-to-bottom renovation. While it still retains its Art Deco exterior, the hotel’s interior now boasts a modern, white motif peppered with furniture, art and accessories from the Estefan’s private homes. The 41 guestrooms and suites have been completely redesigned with mother-of-pearl headboards, glossy cabinetry and bathrooms decked out in bold gold fixtures. People-watch from the new BiCE Cucina Miami restaurant on Cardozo’s main street level, while enjoying a traditional Italian meal.

With a prime spot on iconic Ocean Drive, just steps from the ocean, this 91-room hotel with a tropical beach-house vibe recalls its historic Art Deco charm with original decorative logo paneled walls, terrazzo floors and ice block detailing found in the lobby bar. The boutique hotel features a vast selection of suites and bungalows with balconies, and two spacious penthouse suites with exclusive private pools. Guests can’t get enough of the rooftop pool, an ornate baroque pool with ten wood-covered cabanas, and locals retreat to Spa V, a hidden sanctuary in the basement meant for indulgent treatments. The hotel also houses celebrity-favorite Sugar Factory, known for its outrageous desserts.