Best Luxury Hotels in Miami Beach

The stunning 312-room W South Beach -- located on the beach, on the northern outskirts of South Beach -- blends cute comforts, intricate design (that spares no expense), and flawless service. Large, modern rooms; terraces angled to overlook the ocean; elegant landscaping around the pool; a freshly-opened spa -- the W tops many of the Miami greats.

The luxurious, 426-room 1 Hotel South Beach in Miami Beach opened in March 2015 after a complete renovation (it was formerly Perry South Beach, and the Gansevoort Miami Beach before that). The 1 Hotel brand is extremely eco-conscious and the entire hotel has environment-friendly features including salvaged wood, hemp mattresses, and take-home socks instead of disposable slippers. Top-notch amenities include direct beach access; four pools, including one on the roof; three bars and fine-dining restaurant; fitness center; event spaces; and Tesla car service within a three-mile radius.

With some of the most beautifully decorated large rooms in Miami, a beachfront location, a great spa, and a huge fitness center with a rock-climbing wall and dozens of daily classes, Carillon Miami Beach is a great choice for a healthy vacation -- provided you're not also looking for nightlife or a happening pool scene.

The 74-room boutique Metropolitan by COMO is a gorgeous Art Deco property from the luxurious COMO brand. The pistachio and gray guest rooms are stylish, and outfitted with modern features like 42-inch flat-screen TVs, Nespresso machines, and free Wi-Fi. The hotel's other amenities include a pretty outdoor pool, beach service, fine-dining restaurant and bar, elegant spa, and rooftop hydrotherapy pool. Service is genuinely friendly and doting, and the hotel attracts an upscale clientele of primarily couples. If you're looking for a calm, relaxing getaway in South Beach, Metropolitan by COMO is the premier pick.

Paradise doesn't come cheap. Striking but sober mood-lit design; impeccable service; huge, immaculate rooms; three pools, each a different temperature; and a prime beachside location make the Setai one of the best hotels in Miami. Its restaurants are more about design than food, but several of Miami's best restaurants are just half a block away

A beautifully designed hotel with pomp-free service at all levels -- from housekeeping to porters to private designated assistants -- The Tides brings rarely seen substance to the price tag. Though the hotel lacks direct beach access and the small pool is less than breathtaking, the huge, immaculate rooms more than compensate.

Debuting in 2009 and designed by Marcel Wanders, the off-the-beach Mondrian is as stylish as its party-centric South Beachsiblings, the Delano and Shore Club, but lacks the hyped-up clubbers. Its impeccable service, kitchen-equipped rooms, and notable after-parties at the Sunset Lounge draw well-heeled singles but also families seeking more than the PG-13 kitsch of most family hotels.

After a complete revamping of the former Seville Hotel, the Miami Beach EDITION opened in December 2014 to provide hip, luxury accommodations in the burgeoning Mid-Beach area. Mimicking the hotel's overall design, the 294 sleek, spare guest rooms feature light woods and white fabrics. Amenities are undoubtedly top-notch: There are two outdoor pools; a beachfront with chairs and umbrellas; fine dining Matador restaurant; an upscale spa; and an underground nightclub/bowling alley/skate rink. While couples, families, and business professionals all frequent the hotel, the EDITION appeals primarily to trendy travelers who will appreciate the Beats Bluetooth speakers and copy of PAPER magazine in each room.

The upscale 380-room Confidante has a beautiful beachfront, two pools, multiple bars, and staff that receive consistent praise. Guest rooms have a colorful, retro design and high-tech amenities, though views vary from city to oceanfront and there's some minor wear and tear. However, with ample amenities and a celebrity chef-helmed restaurant, it's a solid pick for couples, groups, and families who want to be a bit removed from the South Beach scene. Prices here also tend to be more affordable than at comparable hotels in the heart of South Beach.

After a 2014 renovation combined its Art Deco roots with modern luxury, the Shelborne Wyndham Grand South Beach became a stylish, upscale pick on Collins Ave in South Beach. The guest rooms have comfortable beds, digital music players, and stocked minibars, and some come with balconies. But standard rooms are on the small side, as are most bathrooms -- which have plush robes and custom toiletries but no bathtubs. Amenities, however, are top-notch, and include beach access and service, a heated pool, spa and fitness center, and multiple dining and drink options that include the fine-dining Morimoto sushi restaurant

Separated from busy South Beach by lush gardens, this 46-room art deco hotel is a low-key oasis. There's a top-notchrestaurant, free off-site gym passes, and a small, but serene pool. For the price, other hotels offer more features or direct beach access, but the massive, Wallace Tutt-designed rooms are hard to beat.

The Betsy is a four-pearl boutique hotel that does just about everything right: Stylish but informal decor and an attention to detail make for a luxe, yet laid-back ambiance. The 61 rooms are a tad small, as can often be expected in historic buildings, but they feature chic white-on-white, beachy decor and teak accents, as well as high-tech amenities including flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, bathroom mirrors embedded with TVs, and free Wi-Fi. Guests rave about the rooftop sundeck, scene-y lobby bar, and excellent BLT Steak restaurant. The pool is small, as is the fitness center, but many feel that the hotel's highlights -- including its convenient Ocean Drive location -- outshine these minor setbacks.