Best 5-Star Hotels in Florida

Situated in the centre of downtown Fort Lauderdale, The Dalmar is just a short walk away from the city’s top attractions like the shops and restaurants of Las Olas Boulevard. This inviting hotel is the perfect place for travellers seeking an intimate break as it seamlessly blends modern luxury with a laid-back South Florida vibe. The Dalmar’s 209 suites and rooms are modern and light, they feature wide windows that flood the space with natural light, offering stunning views of the city or the Atlantic Ocean. The rooms are also furnished with all the amenities one might desire such as 55-inch flat-screen TVs, Bluetooth speakers, Nespresso machines, and comfortable bedding. Some suites also include balconies which are ideal for guests wishing to soak up the Floridian sun. The hotel’s interior blends mid-century modern and tropical influences with warm wood tones, and vibrant pops of colour that create a chic yet relaxed atmosphere. The lobby is adorned with bespoke art pieces which gives the hotel a unique character.  The Dalmar is home to its own the rooftop infinity pool, which offers panoramic views of the city skyline and the ocean, creating a perfect backdrop for sunset cocktails at the adjacent Sparrow rooftop bar. The Dalmar is also home to the award-winning The Terrace Grill which serves classic American dishes with a modern twist, and Rose’s Coffee Bar which offers artisanal coffee and light bites. The Dalmar also has a fitness centre, spa and versatile event space.

Situated within the glorious Florida Keys, Playa Largo is the perfect place for guests wishing to bask in the area’s natural beauty, including the nearby John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, known for its underwater marine life and coral reefs. The resort features 177 rooms, including a selection of private bungalows and the luxurious Beach House, a 3-bedroom suite with direct beach access, ideal for those seeking extra privacy and space. Each room at Playa Largo is thoughtfully designed with the ocean and natural surroundings in mind, this maritime theme combined with the room’s emphasis on natural light makes them exceptionally inviting. The rooms are all equipped with flat-screen TVs, minibars, comfy beds, and private balconies or terraces which offer views of either the ocean or picturesque resort gardens. Playa Largo’s expansive grounds are dotted with palm trees and native plants turning the resort into a garden of Eden. 

The Playa Largo has its own large beachfront pool with sweeping views of the bay, an exquisite spa which offers a range of treatments inspired by the Florida Keys, and a well-equipped fitness centre. The Playa Largo is home to many restaurants, including the Sol by the Sea, which serves fresh seafood with a Caribbean flair and the La Marea which serves Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. 

The Playa Largo also has its own private marina where guests can embark on snorkelling, diving, and boating adventures. Additionally, the resort offers a variety of water sports, including paddleboarding and kayaking, as well as eco-tours that highlight the natural beauty of the Keys. The resort is also located near the Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Centre and the Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park. The Playa Largo is therefore the perfect choice for guests wishing to enjoy Florida’s beauty and unique wildlife.

Casa Marina is an iconic beachfront resort located on the southern edge of Key West, Florida. Occupying its own private stretch of shoreline, the resort offers direct access to the largest private beach on the island, making it the ideal place for travellers wishing to both relax and explore. The Casa Marina is also only a short distance from popular attractions like Duval Street and the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum. Constructed in 1920 the Casa Marina has hosted many famous guests and notable events throughout its history. Its recent renovations pay homage to this heritage whilst providing guests with the best modern amenities.

Casa Marina’s 311 rooms and suites include several oceanfront suites which boast private balconies that command sweeping views of the Atlantic. The rooms have a tropical feel and boast large windows that allow natural light to flood the space. The rooms all have flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi, minibars, and luxury bedding. The lobby Casa Marina’s lobby and public spaces feature a tasteful mix of vintage and modern furnishings which combined with natural lighting, help make the resort feel exceptionally welcoming.

The Casa Marina is home to two oceanfront pools which are enveloped by tropical gardens and palm trees. The resort also has a renowned spa as well as a well-equipped fitness centre.

The Casa Marina has many dining options including Sun Sun, a beachfront restaurant which serves fresh seafood and locally inspired dishes, and the Flagler’s Ballroom, which gives guests a taste of the resort’s historic grandeur. Guests can also enjoy drinks at the outdoor RUMba bar, known for its extensive selection of Caribbean rums and divine cocktails.

The Casa Marina also provides guests with the opportunity to go jet skiing, paddleboarding, and snorkelling. The resort’s location also makes it an ideal base for which to explore Key West’s vibrant cultural scene, with attractions like the Southernmost Point and the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory just a short walk or bike ride away.

Stay in the city’s colourful Coconut Grove district, within easy reach of the beaches and downtown area. The Mayfair House has many impressive features, including an outdoor atrium garden, an Art Noveau lobby with a mini-rotunda and curved walls, and a pool area, where you can recline on a circular cabana beside an open fire. Of its 179 bedrooms, most have balconies and some have rolltop clawfooted tubs. The colour palette revolves around earth terracottas and turquoise, reflecting Miami’s natural landscapes, while the interior aesthetic blends vintage styling with contemporary flair. Dine at the Grill, and pop into one of the wellness sessions (yoga, meditation and sound baths are available).

This historic Surf Club on Miami Beach has been renovated owing to the Four Seasons. The original Mediterranean Revival clubhouse has been restored and an additional 12-storey glass tower has been built. All these have made this luxury resort bring a little bit of the Old Florida charm back to Surfside. This resort offers sublime rooms, each with luxurious finishes and a plush white bed. The services and facility are also on point. The dark, atmospheric Shiseido Spa tops among its top facilities. Other facilities include Bar, Beach, Kids’ club, Fitness centre, Laundry, Pool, Parking and Restaurants among others. The food and drinks all offer a great dining experience at this resort. To top it up, the staff is efficient and courteous.

With all of its 266 rooms overlooking the bay, this hotel carries all of the classic elegance and British sensibilities you’d expect from the Ritz-Carlton group. The freeform pool features palm tree islands, thatched pagodas and provides views across the marina (the ideal spot to watch the sun set) and there’s a separate kids pool and club to entertain younger guests. Tennis courts and a Tom Fazio-designed 18-hole golf course are available and there’s a complimentary shuttle to the resort’s Lido Key Beach Club located. All bedrooms and suites at the AAA Four Diamond resort have balconies and are decorated using fine art, and contemporary and vintage furnishings.

The Mandarin Oriental is situated on a distinctive island, an enclave off the mainland financial district of Miami. This famous five-star property is a real destination resort with a high-end Peruvian restaurant and a world-class spa. It Offers stunning views of the Biscayne Bay, while its outdoor dining venue and lobby bar gratify a buzzing after-work multitude. It’s man-made beach and stylish pool, on the other hand, gives the guests an ideal environment to soak up the sun at the South Beach scene. All the rooms are furnished with luxurious items as well as classic furnishings in moderate tones of cream and honey. The spacious accommodation also includes large terraces and marble bathrooms that have soaking tubs.

The Setai, Miami Beach, a member of Leading Hotels of the World, features 87 Art Deco rooms in the original building, 50 Ocean Suites in the tower, and one exception Penthouse with a pool. Facilities include the Valmont Spa and a Clefs d’Or Chief Concierge. The gardens, punctuated with water pods, sculptures and tropical plants, are where guests will find three temperature-controlled pools, and then the private full-service beach. Dining is led by Executive Chef Vijayudu Veena, and includes the vibrant Jaya restaurant, and on the beach, The Ocean Grill. It is a fusion of intimate, boutique personalised hospitality with the flair and style of one of the best Florida resorts. Staying at The Setai is to experience something truly unique in Miami Beach. This is undeniably a landmark breach resort, yet the landmark architecture and ingenious design creates a welcoming boutique feel that reflects the hotel’s commitment to exclusive, personalised hospitality.

Located in the Faena District, this luxury hotel overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. Its look is that of a theatrical fantasia, covered in gold, red and tiger print and dusted with stunning contemporary art. The service and facility are of high standards. There is a fitness centre, a bar, a pool, a steam room, spa and room service among others. The attendants are hospitable while the food and drinks are outstanding. Master chefs at the Los Fuegos restaurant are there to offer great meals while exceptional cocktails are available at the Saxony Bar. This hotel generally offers value for money and is family-friendly.

This hotel occupies a revived mid-century grand dame along the Atlantic Ocean. The design of this hotel toes the line between restrained modernity and sumptuous mid-century glamour with its sprawling, all-white marble lobby. The service and facility are excellent. Some of the facilities include a sauna, laundry, beach, room service and spa. The rooms all maintain their clean lines with some of them having private oceanfront balconies. Bluetooth speakers, as well as data-port connections, are available in every room. Food and drinks are offered by the eminent chef, Jean-Georges Vongerichten. The Matador Room is the place for all the great delicacies.

This hotel is located at the northern tip of Miami Beach. This 227-room hotel offers unrivalled service and amenities which includes a fitness centre, a bar, child care services and room service among others. The interiors consist of high ceilings, enormous crystal chandeliers and glass walls. The beach villas have their own butler and each villa has its own wet bar, bathroom, dining patio and indoor lounge. There is serves lunch and dinner throughout the week while the Wine Vault and St Regis Bar offer tea, cocktails and evening music events. This hotel offers access for guests with disabilities, it is family-friendly and offers great value for your cash.

This hotel occupies an oceanfront space on Collins Avenue and the 22nd Street. It has massive and fun public spaces. The entrance lobby consists of Mongolian fur-covered chairs, huge brass screens, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Damien Hirst artworks on rotation and huge purple leather pouffes among others. The labyrinthine poolscape provides inspired lounging in an exuberant, expansive backyard. In its 408 rooms, there is a more relaxed luxury mood grey and with cool white interiors, chandeliers and mirrored surfaces. Every room has a balcony looking across the beach. There is also a kitchenette, Bliss toiletries, Bose sound system, and a docking station among other amenities. The Dutch and Mr. Chow restaurants offer incredible delicacies, while Living Room provides all the pre-dinner drinks. Wall, on the other hand, is Wall is a hotspot for the late-night revelry.