Best Luxury 4 Star Hotels in Florida

Designed by NBWW Architects and Meyer Davis, this brand-new neighbourhood hotel is a cultural meeting point, as well as a place to stay. Art is a big deal at the property, whose exterior walls are emblazoned by the work of Miami-based artist Hoxxoh and interiors showcase over 250 innovative pieces, including specially commissioned, site-specific work. The building rises nine stories, topped with a rooftop deck that accommodates the pool, private cabanas, a bar, a café and a yoga deck featuring a plexiglass mural. Dine indoors or out, at its 2,666-square-foot restaurant, in MaryGold’s and at its bodega.

This recently opened design-forward property is found in the palm-flanked Pineapple Grove Arts District. The tropically inspired building by González Architects is accented with living walls, huge sculptures and a “floating glass cube” function space/yoga studio. Indeed glass plays an intrinsic part in its makeup, creating allowing the outside in. The Rosewood Rooftop houses a bar, restaurant and pool; Stingers is the coffee shop, Ember Grill serves US-style food and there’s a Japanese restaurant, Akira Back, led by a Michelin-starred chef. Bedroom interiors are by Virserius Studio and art installations are found throughout the public spaces.

Stay downtown at this AAA Four-Diamond resort perched on the Caloosahatchee River. The 12-storey building was completed in 2020 and is just a couple of blocks from the beach with views across the marina. Terraces house the fourth-floor pool and a bar, while 243 rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows and urban chic decor, with artistic nods to the city’s illustrious “luminaries”. There are five places to eat and drink on-site; a seafood restaurant, a coffee shop, an American diner, a top-floor river-view cocktail bar and the latest addition, Oxbow Bar & Grill. The Luminary also accommodates a culinary theatre and indoor and outdoor fitness areas.

Two rows of underlit palm trees line the walkway to the Marriott’s entrance in a frontage that’s typically Sunshine State. The hotel is located in the downtown area of Boca Raton and boasts a gorgeous walled outdoor pool area with a hot tub and chic cabanas accented by vibrant cushions and loungers. Neutral bedrooms also have pops of colour in the form a wave-style blue wall panel calls to the nearby coast. The Marriott’s restaurants, Sonrisa and Drift, serve the brand’s own take on Caribbean food, described as “Floribbean”. There’s also a fitness centre and a wealth of amenities on the doorstep.

Celebrating all things creative and close to the Ringling College of Art and Design, the Art Ovation Hotel is a unique boutique property. Bedrooms and suites come equipped with sketchbooks, colouring pencils and a ukulele, there’s an Artist’s Studio for makers to work onsite, and an enthralling programme of installations, performances and workshops. Guests also benefit from the use of loaner two beach chairs, coolers, bicycles and kick scooters while staying. The Perspective Rooftop Bar provides views across the city, marina and park with a warming fire pit, while the Overture Restaurant is the place for modern American dining.

Striking and minimalist, The Sarasota Modern has been inspired by midcentury architecture. With 14 room categories, it caters to a diverse range of guests; from digital nomads (desks with USB ports are provided in each), to honeymooning couples and groups seeking self-catering facilities. It has a playful spirit, with its Wink Wink Modern Lounge and Wink Wink Modern Pool Bar, with the adjoining Tiki pool bar with overhanging palms. Order Polynesian-inspired or vintage-style smoking whisky cocktails. Beach chairs, beach towels, beach blankets and bicycles can be borrowed and there are ping pong tables, deck games and a pool table.

Facing out onto the Atlantic, The Reach has Key West’s only natural sand private beach – and the ocean is right beside the hotel’s poolside, which features a floating gazebo. Seafood, steaks and chops are specialities at the restaurant, Four Marlins, however, guests also have access to the dining options at its sister property, Casa Marina. Sunday brunch at The Reach is famous, taken indoors or on the patio (both have incredible sweeping views). 150 modern bedrooms feature shell headboards, bathrooms with abstract art, and private balconies. This resort is a short walk to the heart of the action, yet far enough away to feel peaceful.

A coastal theme blends with a Tiki style and contemporary island living at this resort on the edge of the Everglades. The family-friendly poolside has its own waterfall and a mobile food truck serving ‘snacks and sips’, or there’s an adult-only swimming area and guests can make use of the private white sandy beach with a host of watersports. Fishing excursions are popular – take part in the hook-and-cook programme to bring your catch back to the kitchen, where the chefs will prepare it for you. Pets are especially welcome too, the hotel even has its own Director of Pet Relations!

As the name would suggest, it’s all about the food here. The Epicurean specialises in foodie packages, celebrating its dining venues. Élevage Soho Kitchen and Bar serves dishes inspired by Mediterranean and Asian cooking; Chill Bros Scoop Shop is a gelato paradise; Edge Rooftop Cocktail Lounge offers handcrafted libations with tasty snacks; there’s a theatre dedicated to culinary discovery and sister restaurant Bern’s Steakhouse is across the road. When you’ve had your fill you can book some treatments at Spa Evangeline, swim in the pool and visit the fitness centre. Following the food theme, bedrooms have butcher’s block style furnishings, stocked artisan pantries and some even have a private bar.

As its name reveals, this was once a Federal Courthouse (guests can stay in the ex-judges office or an ex-holding cell), but the century-old building now serves as a most unique hotel; the Four-Diamond rated property is on the National Register of Historic Places. Found Downtown, just across from the theatre, its imposing Grecian style frontage gives way to sophisticated contemporary interiors combined with original features. It has a palm tree flanked pool area, a courtroom-turned brasserie, an espresso bar, 130 bedrooms and offers a free shuttle service. Look out for Le Méridien’s 14 points of discovery while you’re here – each provides a flavour of its past life.

A coastal resort on the peninsula of the city’s bay area, The Current Hotel has a stunning contemporary rooftop bar (the tallest one in Tampa Bay), with an infinity-like outdoor pool and its own private beach. 171 bedrooms and nine suites have floor to ceiling windows to maximise the panoramic views of the ocean. Plus there are two restaurants, a curated gift shop, an in-house art gallery displaying work by local-award winning artists and a fitness centre on the ninth floor. Part of the Marriott portfolio, The Current is a four-star establishment.

If you’d like to stay somewhere surrounded by a modern Florida style, pick The Westshore Grand for your trip. Take the complimentary airport shuttle to this Tribute Portfolio Hotel — it’s found in the business district and has 325 rooms, as well as a gorgeous ninth-floor rooftop pool with sea views. Guests can fine-dine at the alfresco lounge, or grab a coffee and a light meal in the IIly Cafe. Hotel amenities include a business centre, meeting rooms, a gym, salon services, shoeshine, dry cleaning and express checkout. It’s ideal for those travelling for work but is equally well set up to delight the leisure traveller.