Where to Stay in Miami (Best Areas & Places)

12 Best Neighborhoods and Areas to Stay in Miami

Often referred to as one entity, Miami and Miami Beach are actually two different cities physically separated by Biscayne Bay.

Within Miami are distinct urban neighborhoods with their own subcultures. Within Miami Beach are three uniquely different beachfront communities. And as always, the city center is surrounded by visit-worthy suburban towns.

South Beach

👉Best Area for First-Timers & Partiers | ✨Best South Beach Hotels: Loews Miami Beach Hotel • Lennox Miami Beach • W South Beach • The Setai, Miami Beach • 1 Hotel South Beach

Without a doubt, the postcard image of Miami is South Beach: the art deco buildings, neon lights, vibrant nightclubs, glamorous cocktail bars, and swanky restaurants. Oh, and the miles of stunning sandy beaches, of course. 

Ocean Drive, the neighborhood’s main strip, runs parallel to the beachfront and is the epicenter of activity. Partying aside, the strip boasts the best art deco architecture in the city including the Art Deco Museum nestled in Lummus Park.

Off the beachfront are Washington and Collins Avenue, lined with boutique hotels, bars, restaurants, and nightclubs. Other attractions include the Miami Beach Botanical Garden, South Point Park, and the Lincoln Road Mall.

Book a stay at Loews Miami Beach Hotel to be right by the beach and a short walk away from the Art Deco District. The W South Beach is also a chic option that caters to couples, groups, and Marriott Bonvoy members. 

If staying directly on the beach isn’t in your budget, consider booking a stay at Lennox Miami Beach. Walking that extra block to the sand will save you loads of cash, but you’ll still be located in the thick of it.

Pros of Staying in South Beach:

• Endless amounts of activity all within walking distance
• World-class nightlife at your doorstep offering happy hour cocktails followed by all night parties
• One of most beautiful and lively beaches in the world

Con of Staying in South Beach:

• Priciest place to stay and play in Miami

Downtown Miami

👉 Best Area for Activities & Attractions | ✨ Best Downtown Miami Hotels: citizenM Miami Worldcenter • Eurostars Langford • Fortune House Hotel Suites • JW Marriott Marquis • Comfort Inn & Suites Downtown

Consider staying in Downtown Miami if you want more of a city feel. You’ll be within walking distance of many of Miami’s top sites, and surrounded by the city’s famous skyscrapers.

citizenM Miami Worldcenter offers a perfect location, views of the bay, and modern rooms at reasonable prices. It’s our top pick for most visitors to Miami. 

For more space, another good mid-range option in downtown is Fortune House Hotel Suites. Or, for business travelers, consider the JW Marriott Marquis.

Wherever you stay, you’ll find lots to explore downtown. Start your morning with a walk at Bayfront Park, the city’s oldest public gathering space. Spend the rest of your afternoon exploring the Frost Museum of Science, Perez Art Museum, and the iconic Freedom Tower. 

Afterward, catch a concert or a Miami Heat basketball game at the Kaseya Center before dinner and drinks at one of the many restaurants within Bayside Marketplace.

And, if you want to party until dawn, book tickets for the EDM-focused CLUB SPACE, which stays open until dawn on weekends.

Pros of Staying in Downtown Miami:

• Many of the top attractions in Miami all within walking distance
• World-renowned restaurants, bars, and nightclubs sprinkled throughout the district
• Litany of hotel options replete with a rooftop pool, hot tub, fitness center, and stunning views of the Bay

Con of Staying in Downtown Miami:

• Often the busiest district in Miami with the most traffic

Mid-Beach

👉 Best Area for Luxury | ✨ Best Mid-Beach Hotels: Faena Hotel Miami Beach • The Palms Hotel & Spa • The Miami Beach EDITION • Circa 39 Hotel

Mid-Beach is a narrower area of Miami Beach filled with some of the city’s most luxurious beach resorts. This area is close to the nightlife of South Beach, as well as bridges to the city, but home to a more refined crowd. 

For a classic Miami experience, stay at the Faena Hotel Miami Beach. This hotel dazzles with its art deco interior and lavish art (including a golden Woolly Mammoth sculpture). Even if not staying here, the ornate dinner shows at the Fanea Theater are worth it.  

Other popular luxury hotels in Mid-Beach include The Palms Hotel & Spa and The Miami Beach EDITION.

For travelers on a tighter budget who still want to be near the beach, Circa 39 Hotel is a solid option as well. 

Pros of Staying in Mid-Beach:

• Relatively central but away from the noise 
• Easy beach access 
• Lots of luxury hotels to choose from 

Con of Staying in Mid-Beach:

• Not as easily walkable compared to South Beach
• Hotels can get pricey here 

Brickell

👉 Best Area for Business & Luxury | ✨ Best Brickell Hotels: Four Seasons Hotel Miami • Novotel Miami Brickell • Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown Miami

Brickell is booming. What was once strictly a financial district is now the top destination for young professionals flocking to Miami in droves. 

Any semblance of Old-style Miami has all but been erased, replaced by shiny new skyscrapers and hotels, many of which are topped by vibrant nightclubs and rooftop cocktail bars like Sugar and Rosa Sky. The combo makes for nightlife in Brickell next to none, and as such, an evening out will certainly cost you top dollar.

Visitors staying in the area will find luxury accommodations that often feature a rooftop pool, a wellness center, world-class dining, and private rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city skyline. You can find all of this and more at Four Seasons Hotel Miami.

But make no mistake, Brickell is still the top place to stay in Miami for business travelers with quick access to banks and corporate headquarters dotted throughout the district.

Pros of Staying in Brickell:

• Amazing bars and restaurants seemingly on every corner
• Safe and walkable neighborhood for business travel
• Access to a high-end shopping mall, luxurious rooftop bars, and 5-star dining options

Con of Staying in Brickell:

• No major attractions directly in the neighborhood
• Among the most expensive places to stay and play in Miami

Wynwood & the Miami Design District

👉 Best Area for Art & Design | ✨ Best Wynwood Hotels: Hyde Suites Midtown • Sentral Wynwood • Arlo Wynwood Miami • Moxy Miami Wynwood

Just a hop north of downtown is Wynwood & the Miami Design District. The stark contrast between these two side-by-side neighborhoods makes it one of the more appealing locations to stay within the Miami area.

Wynwood, a once downtrodden corner of town, is now a revitalized subdistrict replete with all sorts of activity. Art lovers will appreciate the Wynwood Walls, a labyrinth of street art splashed along the concrete alleyways between abandoned warehouses turned breweries, coffee shops, and nightclubs. 

A few blocks away is the modern and upscale Miami Design District. Contemporary art galleries, designer clothing stores, and celebrity chef restaurants are the mainstays of the neighborhood. The modern architecture and public art deliver visitors an appealing backdrop as they indulge in Miami’s high-end retail therapy.

Check out Sentral Wynwood for an apartment-hotel-style stay. It has modern amenities, a rooftop pool, and it’s in a walkable location. A downside is that parking is a bit pricey. 

Pros of Staying in Wynwood & the Design District:

• The most active neighborhood in downtown Miami
• Endless selection of bars and restaurants all within walking distance
• Vibrant nightlife attracting visitors and locals alike

Con of Staying in Wynwood & the Design District:

• Accommodation is limited to private apartments and condos – often for a steep price

Coconut Grove

👉 Best Area for a Quiet Neighborhood | ✨ Best Coconut Grove Hotels: iCoconutGrove • Mr. C Miami Hotel • Mayfair House Hotel & Garden

In direct contrast to Miami’s lively nature is the quaint neighborhood of Coconut Grove. This peaceful area on the south edge of the city is known for its charming market called the CocoWalk where streetside cafes, old-time bookstores, and upbeat gastropubs intermix. 

Along the waterfront are private marinas harboring a weathered sailboat community alongside modern megayachts. The surrounding parks offer water sport rentals including SUPs, kayaks, jet skis, and small sailboats. A leafy canopy covers walking trails as they wind through upscale residential areas and along the scenic boardwalk.

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is nestled in the corner of Coconut Grove. The villa is the former estate of James Deering, a local businessman and avid conservationist. His villa is a testament to the preservation of South Florida’s natural beauty, mangrove coastline, tropical forests, and pristine waters.

In Coconut Grove, Mr. C Miami Hotel is a good hotel choice. I also recommend iCoconutGrove if you’re looking for more of a vacation-rental-style accommodation.

Pros of Staying in Coconut Grove:

• Quiet and laid back neighborhood directly on Biscayne Bay
• Many top South Florida attractions in the immediate vicinity
• Excellent location for water sports like sailing and kayaking

Con of Staying in Coconut Grove:

• Far away from Miami hotspots like Wynwood and South Beach

North Beach

👉 Best Area for Beach-Goers | ✨ Best North Beach Hotels: Monte Carlo • MB Hotel, Trademark Collection by Wyndham • Park Royal Miami Beach

Miami Beach’s northernmost neighborhood is home to miles of beautiful coastline overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The area is the best place to stay in Miami for those looking for a relaxing, beachside vacation away from the spring break crowds that often flock to South Beach.

Small resorts line the sandy shores while side streets feature a few boutique hotels, residential apartments, and condos like this Monte Carlo vacation rental. Authentic restaurants from Latin America are peppered throughout the neighborhood with many walk-up windows serving freshly baked pastries and brewed espresso.

The neighborhood stays quiet with few, if any, bars and nightclubs. So if you’re craving a lively area, South Beach is a stone’s throw away down Collins Avenue.

Pros of Staying in North Beach:

• Less traffic than other parts of the city
• Quiet and beautiful beaches along the coast
• Cheaper accommodation than other parts of Miami Beach

Con of Staying in North Beach:

• The main attractions of Miami are a car or taxi ride away

Coral Gables

👉 Best Area for Beautiful Scenery | ✨ Best Coral Gables Hotels: Biltmore Hotel Miami Coral Gables • Hotel St. Michel • Hyatt Regency Coral Gables

One of the oldest cities in Southern Florida is scenic Coral Gables. Developed by real estate mogul George Merrick in the 1920s, the city has maintained Merrick’s original Mediterranean-style design throughout its streets. 

Residential neighborhoods covered in a thick tropical canopy are lined with Spanish-influenced mansions guarded by formal gates. The scenic Biltmore Hotel Miami Coral Gables, resembling the Spanish cathedral of Seville, has stood tall since 1926.

A few blocks away is the Venetian Pool, an aquatic facility carved from the coral bedrock below. Amazingly, the outdoor pool is filled with naturally flowing water from an underlying aquifer.

Other attractions include the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, an 83-acre tropical oasis featuring thousands of rare species, and the Miracle Mile, an outdoor shopping complex and epicenter of activity in Coral Gables.

Pros of Staying in Coral Gables:

• Close to main attractions in Miami
• Access to Biscayne Bay at Matheson Hammock Park
• Close to Miami International Airport

Con of Staying in Coral Gables:

• Although gorgeous, the top hotels in the area tend to be pricey due to their historical significance

Key Biscayne

👉 Best Area for Families | ✨ Best Key Biscayne Hotels: Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne • Beach Haus Contemporary Apartments

Key Biscayne is a local’s favorite for a step into nature amidst the urban landscape. The ritzy island is situated just south of downtown and includes a stunning State Park, a climbable 19th century lighthouse, historic city parks, and picturesque Caribbean-style beaches.

The island is excellent for families with attractions like the Miami Seaquarium, SUP rentals at Crandon Park, and kayaking trails featuring manatees on Virginia Key.

Snorkeling tours depart daily at Crandon Marina with Diver’s Paradise while Miami Watersports rents small sailing catamarans suitable for a boating adventure.

Accommodation is certainly upscale, and the restaurant scene isn’t much different. However, for a quiet, relaxing vacation for the entire family, it might be the perfect spot. Book a stay at Beach Haus Contemporary Apartments.

Pros of Staying in Key Biscayne:

• Quiet atmosphere and private beaches at most hotels
• Best location in Miami for a family vacation
• Beautiful state park with a climbable lighthouse

Con of Staying in Key Biscayne:

• You’ll need to go to downtown Miami or South Beach for any sort of nightlife
• Great restaurants but few bars

Homestead

👉 Best Area for Nature | ✨ Best Homestead Hotels: Hilton Garden Inn • Courtyard by Marriott • TownPlace Suites by Marriott

35 miles southwest of Miami is the city of Homestead, Miami-Dade’s southernmost municipality before entering the Florida Keys. The town is conveniently situated squarely between two US National Parks: Everglades National Park and Biscayne National Park.

Compared to the city lights of Miami, Homestead is wildly different. Farmlands growing sugar, oranges, and coconuts go on for miles before dropping into the marsh of the Everglades out west and the waters of Biscayne Bay to the east. Head south along the 20-mile stretch before entering the tropical paradise of the Florida Keys.

With the two National Parks, along with quick access to Key Largo and the Florida Keys, Homestead is the best launching point (and the cheapest) to visit the natural environments indigenous to Southern Florida. I recommend staying at TownPlace Suites by Marriott since it’s about 30 minutes from Everglades National Park and 15 minutes from Biscayne National Park by car.

However, if you’re still wanting to stay directly in Miami, a visit to Homestead or one of the two National Parks are excellent options as a day trip from downtown.

Pros of Staying in Homestead:

• Easy access to two US National Parks – the Everglades and Biscayne Bay
• Much less busy than Miami’s city center
• Affordable launching point to visit the Florida Keys

Con of Staying in Homestead:

• You’ll need a rental car to get anywhere
• Miami’s beaches are almost an hour drive away

North Miami Beach

👉 Best Area for Budget Travelers | ✨ Search for Vacation Rentals in North Miami Beach 

A trip to Miami isn’t necessarily synonymous with ‘budget-friendly.’ But that’s not to say you can’t get more for your money when visiting.

The city of North Miami Beach, a separate municipality from Miami proper, boasts cheap accommodation a mere 12 miles north of the big city.

Ironically, the city isn’t even on a beach but has easy access to the waters via Oletta River State Park, Haulover Sandbar, and Haulover Beach. Other attractions include the Museum of Contemporary Art, Bal Harbour, Aventura Mall, and the Gulfstream Park and Casino. I recommend staying at a vacation rental.

Another option for budget-friendly accommodation is to stay in nearby Fort Lauderdale. The popular tourist destination is a short drive from Miami while boasting many of its own attractions, including an immense amount of boating options.

Pros of Staying in North Miami Beach:

• Budget-friendly and less crowded
• Excellent launching point to spend a day in Fort Lauderdale
• Access to outdoor activities like kayaking and hiking within Oletta River State Park

Con of Staying in North Miami Beach:

• You’ll need to drive to public beaches like Haulover Beach or Bal Harbour

Little Havana

👉Best Area for Cultural Experiences | ✨Best Little Havana Hotels: La Havana Colonial • Tower Hotel Little Havana

The 1950s were a defining moment in Miami’s history when thousands of Cuban immigrants found refuge during Castro’s ruthless Cuban Revolution.

Little Havana was the first Cuban enclave in the US and soon after became a landing spot for freedom-seeking immigrants from all over Latin America. Naturally, traditional Cuban culture was woven into the fabric of every building, street corner, and public space in Little Havana.

Restaurants like Versailles serve authentic Cuban cuisine. Streetside cafes stir up freshly brewed Cuban espresso. Calle Ocho, Latin America’s version of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, pays homage to Cuban and Latin cultural figures. 

Across the street is Maximo Gomez Park, a modest public space most famous for the old-time locals who play dominoes here. The Ball & Chain, one of Miami’s oldest nightclubs, is a 1930s salsa dance venue playing live music and serving Cuban-style food and drink late into the night.

La Havana Colonial is a charming, boutique hotel in Little Havana that offers classic and family rooms.

Pros of Staying in Little Havana:

• Experience an immersive cultural experience into Cuban lifestyle
• Authentic Cuban bars and restaurants on every corner
• A short drive or taxi ride to other attractions in downtown Miami and South Beach

Con of Staying in Little Havana:

• Most accommodation options are privately owned so finding a place to stay may be difficult

Tips for Staying in Miami

Tip #1 – Book a Boat Ride for Your First Day in Miami 

Miami just hits differently when seen from the water. If it’s your first time in Miami, be sure to book a boat ride for your first day. It’s a great introduction to the city, and makes for epic photos. 

This Speedboat Sightseeing Adventure tour starts at just $45 per person. 

Better yet, if you have a group (or just the cash to splash) you can take it to the next level and hire a private boat charter like this one. Bring your own drinks and food and make a Miami party out of it! 

Tip #2 – The Wynwood Walls Spray Paint Experience is Super Fun 

Visiting the Wynwood Walls is a must-visit attraction in Miami, but to really supercharge the experience consider booking the Wynwood Walls Spray Paint Experience.

You’ll get a tutorial on how to spray paint, then 30 minutes to tag a section of the Wynwood Walls with your own creation. Of course, the next guest will paint over your creation, but the photos last forever.

The spray paint is water-based and non-toxic. Our founder Nate participated on his recent Miami trip and highly recommends it! 

Tip #3 – Traveling Around Miami Takes Time

It may look close on the map, but as with any big city, it takes time (and, if taking a taxi or Uber, money) to get from neighborhood to neighborhood. 

Keep this in mind when deciding where to stay, taking careful consideration of what attractions and activities in Miami you want to experience.

Tip #4 – Touch Up on Your Spanish Before Staying in Miami

With the largest Latin American population in the United States, just about everyone in Miami speaks Spanish, particularly outside the tourist hubs. If visiting, it’s not a bad idea to touch up on Spanish greetings, pleasantries, and ordering food, at the very least. Although, never assume someone doesn’t speak English as it may be deemed offensive.

Tip #5 – Don’t Miss the Miami Beach Boardwalk

The Miami Beach Boardwalk is a 7-mile stretch of boardwalk that hugs Miami Beach all the way from South Pointe Park up to Surfside. It’s a great place to go to experience the energy of Miami Beach. 

You’ll find locals and tourists alike biking, rollerblading, skateboarding, or just walking along the boardwalk. It’s one of the most iconic beach boardwalks in the world and a can’t-miss on your list of things to do in Miami. 

FAQs

What’s the difference between Miami Beach and South Beach?

A common misconception is differentiating between Miami Beach and South Beach. South Beach is a neighborhood WITHIN the city of Miami Beach. Miami Beach features three distinct sections: South Beach, Mid-Beach, and North Beach. 

South Beach is famous for its art deco architecture and caters to the tourist crowd. Mid-beach features Miami Modern hotels with a flair of luxury. North Beach is primarily residential with a few beachfront hotels sprinkled along the coast.

What is the safest area to stay in Miami?

The safest area to stay in Miami is anywhere catering to tourists: beachfront neighborhoods, entertainment districts, etc. All of the areas mentioned above are relatively safe. 

Where should I avoid staying in Miami?

Avoid neighborhoods just outside of Wynwood and in the immediate vicinity of downtown. Additionally, petty crime is always a thing no matter where you go so take your typical precautions to protect wallets and purses.

Is downtown Miami or South Beach better?

South Beach is better than downtown Miami if you’re looking to enjoy more time in the sand. Downtown Miami is better than South Beach if you’re seeking cultural experiences, museums, and events.

👉 Read Next: The Best and Most Fun Things to Do in Miami

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Thanks for reading! For more great things to do in the area, check out our guide to the best day trips from Miami. Have fun exploring!

– Nate Hake contributed to this guide