Boutique hotels offer travelers an immersive and intimate luxury experience that stands apart from traditional resort-style accommodations. With their distinctive character, curated design and personalized service, these smaller properties create a sense of exclusivity and charm.
The Betsy South Beach
Recognized as a Michelin Key hotel, The Betsy is a family-owned and -operated luxury oceanfront resort within South Beach’s Art Deco Historic District. The celebrated 130-room boutique hotel opened in March 2009 following a complete restoration of the historic Betsy Ross Hotel; in December 2016, it underwent a groundbreaking expansion, merging with the former art deco Carlton Hotel. The Betsy is home to LT Steak & Seafood, helmed by award-winning Chef Laurent Tourondel, and The Piano Bar, which is widely regarded for its live jazz. The hotel also boasts a property library, a 3,200-square-foot rooftop complex with a swimming pool, and nearly 25,000 square feet of special event space. Known as a world-leading literary hotel, The Betsy offers jazz nine times a week, classical music pop-ups, major art exhibitions, poetry readings, and a renowned artists-in-residence program that has hosted more than 1,000 writers and creatives. Public art includes “The Betsy Orb,” an egg-shaped architectural masterpiece that also serves as a functional bridge connecting the hotel’s two buildings, and “The Betsy Poetry Rail,” a poetry installation etched into metal by water jets celebrating 12 poets that shaped Miami history and culture. The Betsy’s hospitality motto is “Expect no more. This is happiness.” These words were penned by Hyam Plutzik (1911-62), father of hotel owner Jonathan Plutzik and a three-time finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Poetry, whose literary legacy inspires The Betsy hospitality.
The Gabriel South Beach
The Gabriel South Beach is a boutique property centrally located on Ocean Drive directly across from South Beach. The 132-room hotel comprises four buildings and blends midcentury modernism with quintessential Floridian style, creating an oasis-like vibe. The Gabriel South Beach embodies the chic flair of Miami’s Art Deco Historic District through immersive atmospheres and a 21st-century reimagination. Featuring a lush landscape, the courtyard pool adjacent to the hotel’s outdoor eatery offers a tranquil retreat in the middle of a bustling city. Guests can also lounge by the showstopping glass-bottom pool situated six stories above the open atrium. Rooftop yoga classes are offered throughout the week, while a fitness center provides free weights and cardio equipment. The hotel’s Floridita Building features a 30-foot-tall mural by French-born, Los Angeles-based street artist Mr. Brainwash.
Hotel Continental Miami Beach, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Originally established in 1948, the newly renovated Hotel Continental, a Tapestry Collection by Hilton property, is a boutique lifestyle hotel in Miami Beach’s vibrant Mid-Beach district that blends retro-chic design inspired by Miami’s midcentury charm with modern traveler conveniences. The five-story, 100-room property is a unique and reminiscent getaway with curated art, custom furnishings and thoughtfully composed social spaces. Highlights include a MiMo-era kidney-shaped pool; the retro-chic Mixer Lounge; Divebar, featuring a self-pour beverage wall; and Piola, the on-site pizzeria. One of the hotel’s standout amenities is a private 34-foot Chris-Craft Launch powerboat, available for scenic cruises, intimate gatherings or signature sunset charters. As part of the Hilton Honors program, Hotel Continental offers guests exclusive benefits such as digital check-in, members-only discounts and more.
The Gates Hotel South Beach
The Gates Hotel South Beach is a tranquil retreat located along the Collins Canal on beautiful Collins Avenue in the heart of Miami Beach, where the timeless allure of South Beach meets a sanctuary for wellness and sustainability enthusiasts. The 235-room hotel is an oasis of luxury, relaxation and leisure, with an expansive midcentury-modern lobby juxtaposed with art deco-inspired architecture. The hotel offers locals and discerning travelers an immersive Miami Beach experience with pristine beach access and programming catered to those who appreciate art, culture, design and self-care. A partnership with K’Alma Spa offers massages and wellness treatments in-room or on the hotel’s third-floor Plunge Deck. The expansive first-floor deck overlooks the hotel’s pool and the canal with custom double-sided cabanas perfect for guests to relax under the sun. Steps from the hotel are cultural destinations such as Lincoln Road, the Bass Museum, the Miami Beach Convention Center and the area’s best dining, shopping, nightlife and entertainment.
The Goodtime Hotel
The Goodtime Hotel, Miami Beach, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, is a boutique hotel located in a central, historic section of South Beach. Designed by internationally acclaimed designer Ken Fulk, the seven-story property spans an entire city block and comprises 266 stylish rooms, including a luxurious specialty suite. Conceived as a collection of intimate spaces, The Goodtime offers a transportive, escapist retreat with Instagram-ready moments at every turn. The hotel’s centerpiece is Strawberry Moon, a 30,000-square-foot, high-energy pool club named for the full moon that occurs closest to the summer solstice. Inspired by vintage Miami glamour, the pool deck is dappled with scalloped cabanas and a pastel palette of mint, coral and pink. Guests can take in the scene while enjoying the hotel’s signature weekend pool parties hosted by top DJs. For a quiet escape, the hotel’s library offers a cozy space to relax, or guests can choose from a selection of rejuvenating spa treatments available in-room or on the pool deck. Centered on the simple state of having a good time, The Goodtime Hotel is your universal passport to an unforgettable South Beach experience.
Arlo Wynwood
Arlo Wynwood opened in November 2022 as the first hotel in Miami’s preeminent creative and cultural district, home to the largest concentration of street art in the world. Now, the 217-room, nine-story hotel serves as a cultural hub for locals while offering savvy travelers prime access to the best of the region, from trendy galleries to diverse culinary experiences and vivid nightlife. Designed by award-winning design firm Meyer Davis, Arlo Wynwood draws on the neighborhood’s bold and curated artistic nature while embracing an eclectic industrial aesthetic where organic meets modern. Arlo Wynwood also features more than 250 works of art throughout the property and offers guests complimentary wellness activities, weekly comedy shows, live music programming and more. Guests can bring their hotel room poolside to ART Wynwood, Miami’s hidden rooftop bar perched above the street art with stunning views of the bay. The rooftop’s crown jewel is its 76-foot-long heated pool surrounded by comfortable chaise lounges and private cabanas where guests can sip on handcrafted cocktails and savor delectable bites. Other property highlights include Higher Ground, an indoor-outdoor urban retreat ideal for cocktails and connections; the acclaimed omakase concept Sushi by Bou; and the new restaurant Wyn Wyn.
The Perry Hotel Naples
The Perry Hotel Naples is a boutique, 160-room resort featuring world-class amenities, including a ground-level pool, a sophisticated adults-only rooftop pool, a 24/7 fitness center and an upscale fashion boutique. Hotel guests can also enjoy a range of distinctive food and beverage venues, including Tigress, the signature Cantonese-fusion rooftop restaurant from Chef Dale Talde, and Easy Tiger, the seventh-floor rooftop bar from mixologist icon Lynnette Marrero offering unmatched panoramic water views. Boasting a modern industrial design with local touches, the hotel overlooks the Cocohatchee River and has direct channel access to the Gulf and Wiggins State Park. The property also has easy access to the river through its nature conservation area and includes an expansive pier featuring a scenic marina with eight boat slips. Additional features include a two-story lobby, a neighborhood coffee bar and a casual tapas eatery.
Hotel Effie Sandestin, Autograph Collection
Hotel Effie Sandestin, Autograph Collection is an extraordinary treasure in northwest Florida, nestled between the white-sand beaches of the Gulf and the living shorelines of Choctawhatchee Bay. Vibrant and elegant, comfortable and refined, this beautiful hotel integrates coastal charm and Southern hospitality in every delightful detail. Thoughtful appointments, interior design and personalized service enhance the experience. Hotel Effie features 250 guest rooms and suites, four culinary concepts, a luxury spa, a state-of-the-art fitness center and the only rooftop pool on Florida’s Emerald Coast. The hotel also features 20,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 13,000-square-foot ballroom. Guests have access to all Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort amenities, including more than 2,400 acres of pristine beaches and bayfront, four championship golf courses, 15 world-class tennis courts, a 226-slip marina and an additional 65,000 square feet of meeting space. They’re also within walking distance of The Village of Baytowne Wharf, a charming pedestrian village with events, shopping, dining and nightlife.
SkyBeach Resort
SkyBeach Resort is a premier boutique hotel on the southern tip of St. Petersburg, Florida. This newly reimagined beachfront retreat blends Old Florida charm with modern luxury, featuring thoughtfully curated amenities to suit every guest. Unwind in private beach cabanas, take in live entertainment at the Azibi Stage, or enjoy outdoor activities including pickleball and beach volleyball at SouthSide Sports. Dining highlights include the two-story beachfront bar and restaurant, SkyBar + Grille, and the beloved Paradeco Coffee Roasters, with SouthSeas Tapas on its way. Rooted in St. Pete’s vibrant culture, SkyBeach offers an exceptional experience, making it a top boutique hotel for memorable getaways and events.
The Marker Key West Harbor Resort
The Marker Key West Harbor Resort is ideally located in a quiet enclave near the Historic Key West Harbor at 200 William St., just steps from lively Duval Street and Mallory Square. Named in homage to the famous Key West photo op that depicts the “end of the road” for the U.S. Highway 1, The Marker invites guests to escape the mainland mentality. This modern waterfront resort offers a hidden sanctuary of lush tropical grounds, three pools, an open-air restaurant and bar for alfresco dining, and a state-of-the-art fitness center. Each of the resort’s 96 spacious and luxurious guest rooms features a private balcony, perfectly appointed design elements and Key West-inspired touches.