Best Luxury Hotels in Florida

Offering villa living within a hotel complex, each of the 37 residences here has at least three bedrooms and a pool. The resort provides guests with a full-service spa, an 18-hole Greg Norman Signature Golf Course, 11 restaurants and bars, tennis courts, children’s activities, babysitting services, water sports and fishing in the neighbouring Grande Lakes. Covering 500 acres, the venue has been inspired by its natural surroundings and provides on-site eco-tours. And for those wanting some adult-only time, there’s a child-free pool area. It’s a relatively new addition to the Orlando hotel scene (and the Ritz-Carlton portfolio), having opened its doors in 2018.

Standing tall on the city’s horizon, the JW Marriott is just across from the Ritz-Carlton. A lazy river and family-oriented pool with plenty of sunloungers contrast three peaceful hydrotherapy pools found in the full-service spa (but even this caters to kids with a menu of children’s treatments). There’s a whole retail avenue inside, including shops, a Starbucks and a healthy cafe. Large bedrooms have Revive bedding in soothing colour schemes, coffee makers, iHome docking stations, Aromatherapy Associates toiletries and 65 inch TVs. Farm to table cuisine is served in the many on-site eateries, ranging from fine dining to a sushi bar and poolside grill.

A brand renowned for its culinary offer, this Four Seasons holds up its reputation. Ravello serves fine Mediterranean cuisine alongside fine vintages – as well as hosting a bi-weekly Disney character breakfast. Stay here and you can enjoy the early entry theme park privilege otherwise reserved for Disney’s own on-site hotels. You’ll be transferred via private coach service from this gated community to the four parks. The architecture is reminiscent of Spain, while interior decor echoes contemporary Italian style. Two infinity pools enable families and adults to enjoy some sun-time separately – the child-friendly one has waterslides and a lazy river.

If you’d like to stay as close to Disney as possible – but not in one of their themed hotels – this is the place to book. Part of the Bonnet Creek complex, it’s a short drive from the theme parks, yet a beautifully calm oasis to escape the tourist bustle. Featuring local artwork, a Rees Jones-designed golf course, fancy boutiques and a glamorous cocktail bar, it’s deeply refined. However, kids are warmly welcomed too, kept occupied with their own programme of activities and dedicated pool – allowing the adults to enjoy some freshly baked croissants, in-room Nespresso coffee, beauty treatments or even a poolside Prosecco Popsicle.

Offering a contemporary take on the classic yacht club lifestyle, this oceanfront property by Four Seasons opened its doors in 2022. The 22-storey building on Fort Lauderdale beach is the work of Miami-based architect Kobi Karp, with interior touches by the London-based Tara Bernerd and Partners and Martin Brudnizki Design Studio. It features 189 guest rooms and suites, a spa, multiple pool terrace, The Honey Fitz cafe and lounge (named after John F. Kennedy’s presidential yacht) and Evelyn’s restaurant (in homage to local luminary Evelyn Fortune Lilly Bartlett), serving eastern Mediterranean discovery menus and Levant-inspired cocktails.

The oceanfront location of this Ritz-Carlton property sets the tone for a more relaxed vibe than is found in some of the brand’s more formal city-centre hotels. Twelve storeys in height with a curved shape and furnished balconies attached to every bedroom, it looks and feels much like a cruise liner. This theme continues inside, with a ship-like lobby offering boutique shops, a pool table, a spa and a salon The sunbathing/ pool area overlooks the sea, while on the seventh floor, there’s a stunning infinity pool Guests staying here have access to the Grande Oaks Golf Course and can eat in the Burlock Coast Seafare & Spirits or the poolside cafe.

Stay right beside the beach, at the Kimpton Shorebreak Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort. This was originally the Escape Hotel, opened in 1949, the first in the area to both have a swimming pool and stay open year-round. The interior design is coastal, modern and airy, with nods to its mid-century heritage and colour cues from the local ocean landscape. 96 bedrooms have Bluetooth speakers, yoga mats and pet-friendly amenities. Plus there’s a 24-hour gym, an outdoor pool, loaner bikes (to feel the Floridian wind in your hair) and La Fuga restaurant/bar with a terrace.

Located on the ocean between Fort Lauderdale and Miami, The Diplomat Beach Resort Hollywood, is an idyllic and luxurious beachfront resort.  A moment away from the vibrant dining, shopping, and entertainment options of Hollywood’s Broadwalk and the nearby Aventura Mall the Diplomat is an ideal place for guests wishing a luxurious seaside escape. The Diplomat has for decades been a glamorous retreat for celebrities and political figures alike. Yet its recent renovation has seamlessly combined this rich history with modern luxury. The resort has 1,000 guest rooms, including 96 suites. Among these, the Diplomat Suite stands out with its sweeping ocean views, separate living and dining areas, and exquisite furnishings. All rooms are equipped with floor-to-ceiling windows, private balconies, and modern amenities such as flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and extremely comfortable beds. The room’s interior reflects its seafront location as the rooms are bright, open and natural. This, combined with the rooms’ spectacular views makes The Diplomat one of Florida’s top resorts. The Diplomat also boasts two beachfront pools, one with an infinity edge and the other a lagoon-style pool with cabanas. The resort is also home to a Spa which offers a variety of treatments, a state-of-the-art fitness centre, and a 24-hour business centre. For dining, guests can choose from several on-site restaurants, including a steakhouse, a seafood grill, and a casual café. The Diplomat is also home to a large convention centre, which makes it a popular choice for business events and conferences. Additionally, The Diplomat is close to key attractions such as Gulfstream Park Racing and Casino, and the vibrant nightlife of downtown Hollywood.

The post-modern architecture of this hotel is evocative of the area’s yacht culture. Inside, the design has been led by A++. Choice is a big deal with this brand – guests can select preferences for their pillows, bath products (namely Refinery, Shanghai Tang or Temple Spa) and their minibar treats, as well as having the option of seven different in-room dining options. Suites come with one, two or three bedrooms and beautiful marble bathrooms. And there are three eateries: Cornucopia Gourmet Market, the Spinnaker Pool Grill and Japanese-Korean fusion cuisine at Takato. Included in your daily stay are the use of two beach chairs and an umbrella, a two-hour bike rental and a discount in the spa.

Fully renovated in 2017 to achieve a fresh and bright modern look, the beachside W accommodates well over 500 bedrooms, as well as a separate tower for residential guests. Wet East, the pool deck, is the place to be on Saturdays when the incumbent DJ plays the tuns, as the in-crowd sip cocktails on cabanas. But if you prefer a more chilled-out atmosphere, Wet West, the second pool area, provides it. However, few stay here for a quiet life and the Living Room offers the chance to party into the wee small hours. Food can be ordered at Steak 954, El Vez, the sushi bar or the property’s Grab and Go bar.

Having opened in 1991, the island’s Ritz-Carlton became an AAA Five-Diamond resort, with its Sandcastle Concierge and direct beach access, an 18-hole championship golf course and an ocean-inspired spa offering a signature “Heaven in a Hammock” massage. Salt is the seafood signature dining venue (so named as it incorporates 40 different salts in the dishes); Coast is a casual alfresco eatery; Coquina is a poolside/oceanfront restaurant; and there’s Tidewater Grill for Lowcountry fare. First Call in The Lobby Bar provides a daily bourbon-based libation and First Drop serves coffee. The hotel has its own signature scent; Votivo 52, which you can buy and take home to recall the feeling of staying on Amelia Island.

Waterline Villas & Marina, Autograph Collection is a boutique resort located on Anna Maria Island, a picturesque island on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The resort enjoys a prime waterfront position, offering easy access to the island’s pristine beaches and local attractions. The Waterline is family-friendly, making it ideal for both couples seeking a romantic escape and families looking for a relaxing beach vacation. It is home to 37 spacious two-bedroom villas, each designed to feel like a private residence. The villas are equipped with kitchens, separate living and dining areas, and private balconies which makes them the perfect place to relax and unwind for a few days. The Waterline seamlessly blends coastal elegance with a laid-back island vibe throughout each Villa’s interior. The villas are bathed in natural light which is complemented by natural textures and colours that reflect the beauty of the surrounding waters and beaches.

The resort is home to a heated outdoor pool with cabanas, a well-equipped fitness centre, and an on-site marina with 50 boat slips, offering direct access to the Gulf of Mexico. The resort’s restaurant serves fresh, seasonal cuisine which revolves around seafood and regional flavours. Guests can use the resort’s bicycles and fishing gear, allowing them to fully explore the island.

A standout feature of Waterline is its proximity to the attractions of Anna Maria Island like the Historic Bridge Street Pier and the island’s beautiful, uncrowded beaches. The resort can also organise kayaking, paddleboarding, and other water-based activities for guests.