Staying in Miami is quite expensive. Thanks to its good weather all year round, prices remain high. Being such a large city, it is very important to choose the right area to reserve accommodation. Depending on the type of trip you want to take, one thing or another will suit you. In this post we tell you the best areas and hotels to stay in Miami. Furthermore, we propose 50 things to do in Miami and we review all the transportation options to get from Miami airport to downtown or Miami Beach.
Our hotel
We were also in Esmé Miami Beach, a very new hotel perfect if you want to be on the beach. The decoration is beautiful, the rooms are small but very comfortable and the rooftop pool is ideal. Although it is not on the beachfront, they have free sun loungers in Miami Beach for being a hotel guest. Totally recommended!
WHERE TO STAY IN MIAMI: BEST AREAS AND HOTELS
1. South Beach, the best area to stay in Miami next to the beach
South Beach is the most famous and lively part of Miami Beach. Firstly, for its extensive beach with turquoise water where you can sunbathe practically all year round. Without a doubt, it is the best area to stay in Miami if you want a vacation with sun, sea and sand. There are many luxury hotels on the beachfront, fantastic if your budget allows it! In case you want cheaper options, go a couple of blocks away from the beach and you will find hotels at a better price. Just don’t expect a quiet beach. There are always people and a lot of atmosphere on the beach.
We also recommend sleeping on South Beach if you like going out at night. On Ocean Drive there are many bars and clubs where you can party. Also It must be said that the Art Deco district is beautiful and worth a visit.
Having so many attractions and being so popular, South Beach is the most expensive area to stay in Miami. Definitely: If you don’t plan to party or go to the beach every day, we believe there are better areas to stay in Miami taking into account the quality-price ratio.
Best Hotels to Stay in South Beach:
South Beach is the ideal area for you if…
✅ You want to enjoy the beach just steps from your hotel
✅ You like the nightlife with hundreds of options for bars, restaurants and clubs
❌ It is an expensive area and is not recommended if you want peace of mind
2. Brickell, the best area to stay in Miami
And Brickell is precisely one of those areas.. It was where we stayed and, honestly, we recommend it. It’s our favorite part of the city! It is the financial district of Miami but at the same time it has a more than acceptable shopping and nightlife. Among its attractions is the Brickell City Centrea nice shopping center where you can spend the afternoon shopping and many restaurants and rooftops where to have something.
Although there are no cheap hotels or areas in Miami, in Brickell you will find very good accommodations at reasonable prices. Furthermore, it is a super safe area to stay in Miami. In Brickell you can directly take the MetroMover (a free train that moves through Downtown). Therefore, if you do not travel by car you can move around the city for free. Furthermore, there are quite a few restaurants where to eat cheap in Miami.
We recommend Brickell for the quality and price of its hotels and also for its tranquility and good atmosphere. The location is good, you can easily walk to the center and by public transport to South Beach. Furthermore, getting from the airport by train is very easy.it only takes 30 minutes.
Our recommendations in Brickell:
We recommend Brickell as the best area to stay in Miami because…
✅ It has a wide variety of hotels, restaurants and shops in a walkable space
✅ Safe area with good communication with other parts of the city
❌ Not ideal if you are looking for prices under $100 per night or want a very quiet area
3. Downtown Miami, a fairly expensive alternative to stay in Miami
Downtown Miami and Brickell are separated by the Miami River. Both parts are the business center of the city but we believe that there is a lot of difference between them. It is clear that Downtown is better located: closer to South Beach and the main attractions of the city. And also better communicated.
But unlike Brickell, the atmosphere is worse. Similar to any Downtown of a big city USA. During the day there is no problem because people work, but at night there is no one left and the streets are deserted. Instead There are many restaurants in Brickell, making it a much nicer area to stay in Miami.
And regarding the price, Downtown Miami is home to some of the most luxurious hotels in the city. So in general it is one of the most expensive areas to stay in Miami. To sleep in Downtown, we advise you to do so in Brickell, which is nicer and cheaper.
Good accommodations in Downtown:
Downtown Miami is a good area to sleep if…
✅ Visits Miami for business
✅ Do you want to stay in one of the most luxurious hotels in the city
❌ Its streets feel lonely and lifeless as soon as the sun goes down
4. Mid-Beach, a good place to stay in Miami and relax on the beach
We didn’t like South Beach too much because it is full of people and you don’t have peace. If you are looking for something more relaxing, we recommend sleeping in Mid-Beach, just north of. You will see that when you leave Ocean Drive, Miami Beach is another world. The streets are quiet and there are very nice shopping areas.
Some of the most spectacular hotels in Miami Beach are concentrated in Mid-Beach. And also on the beach! As you can imagine, the beaches are much quieter, so if you are looking to disconnect while lying in the hammock, you will be much better off here.. Of course, the prices are quite high since they are usually luxury hotels.
Good hotels in Mid-Beach:
Mid Beach is a good neighborhood to stay in Miami to…
✅ Great for families looking for a beach who don’t want to be surrounded by a party atmosphere
❌ There is less hotel offer, mostly luxury at high prices
Do not travel to the United States without insurance
⚠️ He is the country with the most expensive medical care in the world. Any unforeseen event can result in a bill of thousands of dollars. We leave you costs for some of the most common medical care in the United States.
- X-ray – €300
- Resonance – €1,000
- Day admitted to hospital – €3,836
- Appendicitis operation – €12,000
✅ Good travel insurance will cost you less than €10/day. We travel with Iati Estrella insurance and We offer you a 5% discount on all Iati travel insurance.
5. The surroundings of the airport, the cheapest area to sleep in Miami
Sleeping next to the airport can seem very tempting because hotels are much cheaper than anywhere else in the city.. But you have to be careful when choosing the right one since depending on which one you choose, you will have to live an odyssey to get to the center.
To give you a reference, around the airport you can find really good hotels with breakfast included for just €100 per night. That is, accommodation much cheaper and nicer than most in the center. But there is a catch. Staying in the North, South or West (Doral) is not the same as staying in the east of the airport. It changes a lot, especially if you want to get around by public transportation. In Miami, parking is very expensive, so we recommend leaving your car at the hotel to get around the city.
If you want to sleep near the airport and visit the city, at least be in the east. That is, next to the airport train station. We think that east of the airport is a very smart area to stay in Miami. In 50 minutes by train or bus you will be in the center of the city and you will save having to pay for parking. If you want to save, it is a good option. Plus most of them include a free shuttle to the airport!
Good hotels in East Miami Airport:
The surroundings of the Miami airport are a good area to sleep if…
✅ You arrive on a flight very late or leave very early
✅ You want to save compared to hotels in the most touristy areas of Miami
❌ There are not too many attractions in the area
Tips to save money
A great trick to save in the United States is to use the Revolut card to pay in any currency No commissions. It will also be great for withdrawing dollars from ATMs during your trip without hidden charges. Normally, conventional banks charge you 3% to 5% of each purchase in commissions. In addition, We offer you €10 as a gift when you activate your card. The best travel companion to help you save!
If you want dollars in cash for the trip, you can change currency from home with a discount through Ria Currency Exchange. They have a great exchange rate and send your money home safely.
6. Coconut Grove and Coral Gables, remote options but with good value for money
Both Coral Gables and Coconut Grove are two good alternatives to stay in Miami. There are many hotels with good prices (by Miami standards) although you should know that they are somewhat far from the center. Even so, they are two quiet, residential and, in general, very pleasant areas.
To give you a reference, if you sleep near the Coconut Grove or Coral Gables station it will only take 30 minutes by train to Downtown Miami. Not so bad! So we believe that they are two areas to consider for their price.
Our recommendations:
We recommend Coconut Grove and Coral Gables for…
✅ Quiet stays at a good price with all amenities nearby (shops, restaurants, etc.)
✅ You want to know the residential areas of Miami
❌ It is advisable to have a car to move to other parts of the city
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BEST NEIGHBORHOODS TO STAY IN MIAMI
Is it better to stay in Miami Beach or downtown?
The million dollar question! Everything will depend on your preferences and the type of trip you are looking for. If you want to be on the beach every day and enjoy a very lively nightlife, Miami Beach is the best option. Instead, we recommend staying in the downtown Miami if you prefer to visit attractions in various parts of the city, you are not interested in spending a lot of time on the beach and you prioritize saving.
What is the best area to stay in Miami?
We believe that Brickell is the best neighborhood to sleep in Miami. It has a multitude of shops, restaurants and hotels to choose from without having as crazy a nightlife as Miami Beach. In addition, you will be very well connected to other parts of the city, including the famous beach. It seems to us a Great option for couples or families with children.
What is the cheapest neighborhood to sleep in Miami?
To save considerably, you’ll have to get away from downtown Miami and Miami Beach. In the Around Miami International Airport, Coconut Grove and Coral Gables you can find accommodation for less than $100 per night.
How many nights should you stay in Miami?
If it is your first time visiting the city, you We recommend staying a minimum of three nights in Miami to have time to get to know its essential attractions.
LOCATION OF THE BEST AREAS AND HOTELS TO STAY IN MIAMI
On this map you will find marked the best areas and hotels to stay in Miami. From green to orange, from most to least recommended.
Source: https://lostraveleros.com/donde-alojarse-en-miami/
