Best 5-Star Hotels in Florida

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.

The five-star, five-diamond Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach is the ideal destination for an oceanfront getaway. The hotel is comprised of a collection of comfortable and contemporary guestrooms and suites with the most desirable being the first-floor, residential-style, three-bedroom Sea Breeze Suite with private direct pool and beach access. There are multiple on-site dining options including Florie’s Restaurant and Florie’s Bar where guests can enjoy Mediterranean cuisine and garden-inspired cocktails, respectively. There are outdoor swimming pools with private cabanas and daybeds available as well as acres of private beachfront. The hotel’s spa and wellness facilities include a range of treatments, a saltwater spa tub and eucalyptus steam room. There are excellent fitness facilities including classes, personal training, two Har-Tru tennis courts and an 18-hole putting green. The hotel is family-friendly and offers the Kids for All Seasons Programme and a teen game room.

Located on the serene Key Biscayne Island and just a short drive from the heart of Miami, The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, is the perfect place to relax in luxury. This oceanfront resort offers guests a tranquil escape with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay. The resort has been designed to cater for both families and couples seeking a relaxing getaway. With 450 guest rooms, including 37 suites, the resort has rooms for any occasion. The exclusive Ritz-Carlton Suite features expansive ocean views, a spacious living area, and a private balcony.

The rooms are elegant, and spacious and are bathed in natural light. Each room includes modern amenities such as flat-screen TVs, plush bedding, and private balconies, many boast breathtaking ocean or garden views.

The resort is home to several restaurants including a signature restaurant offering locally inspired and seasonal cuisine, a beachfront grill, and a sushi bar. The resort also boasts a renowned spa, featuring a range of treatments and wellness programs, a state-of-the-art fitness centre, and two outdoor pools, including an adults-only tranquillity pool. Additionally, guests can enjoy tennis courts, water sports, and a can use the Ritz kids’ program so that all the family can enjoy a well-earned holiday.

The resort is also near Crandon Park, a protected natural area perfect for nature walks, golf, and picnicking. It is also just a short drive to Miami’s vibrant downtown, cultural attractions like Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, and the renowned shopping and dining of Coconut Grove and Brickell.

Perched on the pristine white sands of Southwest Florida’s Gulf Coast, The Ritz-Carlton, Naples is a Forbes Five-Star, AAA Five-Diamond resort renowned for its world-class luxury. In 2022, the resort embarked on its ‘Evolution of an Icon’, a transformative renovation led by Architect Cooper Carry & Parker Torres Design, redefining the guest experience. The reimagined resort features 474 elegantly redesigned rooms & suites, all boasting breathtaking Gulf of Mexico views, along with the addition of the Vanderbilt Tower, an exclusive Club Level retreat with premium accommodations. Enhancements include a grand new lobby bar, three innovative dining venues, a 51,000 sq. ft. Ritz-Carlton Spa®, revamped family & adult pools, a state-of-the-art entertainment lounge, an interactive children’s programme, and an extensive selection of beach activities & water sports. Consistently ranked among the best resorts in Florida, the U.S., and the world by Travel + Leisure & Condé Nast Traveler, The Ritz-Carlton, Naples continues to set the standard for coastal luxury.

In the centre of Brickell, an area pulsating with Miami urban sophistication, is SLS LUX Brickell, offering guests an on-trend, vibrant retreat. This all-suite hotel embodies the contemporary aesthetic and dynamic spirit of Miami. Facilities include Altitude, a Philippe Starck designed pool terrace oasis on the 9th floor with two pools, an open-air restaurant and bar. Wellness offerings including SLS LUX Brickell’s contemporary fitness facilities, tennis court, and mini golf.

In the heart of Brickell is EAST Miami, an innovative lifestyle hotel, less than a 30-minute drive from Miami International Airport. Created as an ‘alternative to luxury’, this upscale property is all about the experience. Stay in one of the skyscraper view suites, or indulge in the innovative dining including the laidback sophistication of Quinto, the exclusivity of Tea Room, the vibrancy of Sugar, and the sun-kissed style of the Pool & Deck. EAST Miami is contemporary and inviting, with a sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere. This striking high-rise hotel features innovative design and thoughtful amenities, and accommodation that caters to both families and couples, including spacious suites with sweeping skyline views.