The Ultimate Guide to Staying in Miami Beach

Picking Your Stretch of Sand

Miami Beach is not one neighborhood – it’s a 7-mile barrier island with dramatically different vibes depending on where you plant your towel. The difference between South Beach and North Beach is the difference between a nightclub and a yoga retreat. Choosing the right stretch of sand shapes your entire trip.

We spent a lot of time digging into Miami’s hotel scene – 70 properties across the metro area. Here’s what we found.

South Beach (SoBe)

Best for: Nightlife, people-watching, Art Deco architecture, first-time visitors

South Beach is what most people picture when they think of Miami – Ocean Drive’s neon-lit Art Deco hotels, models on the beach, and a nightlife scene that doesn’t start until midnight. The area between 5th and 15th streets is the tourist epicenter, while the stretch up to 23rd Street offers a slightly more relaxed version of the same energy.

The hotels here range from restored 1930s Art Deco gems to modern glass towers. Many feature rooftop pools, celebrity-chef restaurants, and lobby scenes that double as social events.

The trade-off: Noise, crowds, and premium pricing. South Beach on a Saturday night is not for light sleepers. Parking is a challenge and expensive.

Mid-Beach

Best for: Couples, luxury seekers, travelers who want beach access without the chaos

Mid-Beach (roughly 23rd to 63rd streets) is Miami’s sweet spot. You get beautiful beach access and high-end hotels without the sensory overload of South Beach. The properties here tend to be larger and more resort-like – think oceanfront pools, full-service spas, and the kind of polished experience that justifies the premium.

If a spa matters to you, know that about one in three Miami properties have one – and Mid-Beach is where they’re concentrated. It’s become the city’s quiet luxury corridor.

Collins Avenue through Mid-Beach has quietly become Miami’s best dining corridor, with several acclaimed restaurants within walking distance of the major hotels.

The trade-off: Less walkable nightlife. You’ll need a rideshare to South Beach or Wynwood for late-night options.

North Beach and Surfside

Best for: Families, long-stay visitors, travelers seeking calm

North Beach feels like a different city. The pace slows down, the beaches are less crowded, and the hotel prices drop. Surfside, the small municipality between North Beach and Bal Harbour, has a village-like charm with local restaurants and a quiet beach that families love.

The trade-off: Fewer restaurant and nightlife options within walking distance. The vibe here is residential, not resort.

Wynwood and the Mainland

Best for: Art lovers, foodies, budget-conscious travelers

Not technically Miami Beach, but worth mentioning: Wynwood and the Design District on the mainland offer a completely different Miami experience. Street art, galleries, craft breweries, and some of Miami’s best restaurants – all without the beach tax on hotel prices.

The trade-off: No beach. You’ll need to drive or rideshare to the sand, which can take 20-30 minutes depending on traffic.

How to Choose Your Miami

For a first trip focused on nightlife and the classic Miami experience, South Beach delivers. For a more refined, relaxing trip, Mid-Beach is the move. Families and extended-stay travelers should look at North Beach or Surfside. And if you’re more interested in culture than sand, Wynwood is underrated.

If a pool is non-negotiable (and in Miami heat, it probably should be), you’re in good shape – over half of the properties we reviewed have one. And more than half offer direct beach access, which honestly is the whole point of coming here.

Take our travel style quiz to see which Miami properties match your priorities – it takes about a minute and makes browsing a lot more useful.