Best Luxury Hotels in Florida

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.

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.

One of the top hotels in Hollywood Florida, Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort is the perfect option for those looking to kick back and relax or seeking a new and exciting adventure. The hotel is comprised of 369 guestrooms overlooking the waterfront with modern and tropical décor. Guests can choose from the multiple on-site dining venues including the JWB Prime Steak and Seafood restaurant. There are also bars, a coffee shop and Lone Palm Beach Bar. Private dining and events are also available. The hotel has three outdoor swimming pools with cabanas, perfect for unwinding, and waterslide for more adventurous guests. The 11,000sqft St. Somewhere Spa is equipped with rejuvenating wellness facilities a scrub room and offers relaxing massages and packages. There is a range of activities, sports facilities and experiences available to enhance your stay.

The Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa can be found on a private beach with seven acres of seafront property containing tropical gardens and sensational views. This tranquil retreat offers a selection of modern and luxurious accommodation options including guestrooms, suites and exclusive Eau Club Level rooms with private balconies overlooking the pool or the ocean. There are multiple exceptional dining venues, offering flavours from across the globe, featuring the world-renowned Nobu Manalapan Japanese restaurant. Seafront dining is made possible at the newly opened Breeze Ocean Kitchen. There are private poolside and beachfront cabanas available, and your littles ones can enjoy the Kids & Teens Club on offer. The hotel is home to 42,000ftsq of Eau Spa and its rejuvenating treatments and wellness facilities. There are also excellent fitness facilities including tennis courts and a range of water sports activities.

The Colony Hotel, Palm Beach is ideally situated on the stunning seafront and on Worth Avenue. Each of the hotel’s chic rooms have been uniquely designed in a colourful and retro style, with the largest and most desirable offering being the Superior Suites. The hotel is home to a range of restaurants and bars, both indoors and out, providing delightful food and beverage options. FIT @ The Colony offers in-house exercise classes on a seasonal programme. The hotel is full of unique amenities for guests of all ages, including a poolside press cabana, stocked with magazines and poolside essentials. Guests looking to relax by the beach, can enjoy the Colony’s Beach Butler service or make use of the Beach Cruisers bikes. This hotel is pet friendly and offers four-legged guests custom-branded dog beds and homemade treats. The hotel is also family-friendly and provides contacts for trusted babysitters. Guests are also granted access to a number of external facilities including a golf club and tennis courts.

The one-of-a-kind ette hotel Orlando offers guests the chance to indulge in pure, unfiltered luxury. This boutique hotel is the recipient of a Michelin key and is comprised of 126 lavish guestrooms and suites, complete with an exquisitely simple and customised design featuring the immersive Wellness Suite, with its own Peloton Bike and a spa-like bathroom. There are multiple on-site dining options where guests can enjoy a unique blend of international flavours where modern and classical cuisine combine. Salt & The Cellar by Akira Back serves Mediterranean Asian gastronomy throughout the day while LIPA Rooftop by Akira Back delights diners with Asian haute cuisine accompanied by a selection of cocktails and wines. Guests can opt to indulge in any of the rejuvenating spa treatments on offer or lounge by the pool. VITALITY Fitness Centre is also on hand for guests to enjoy. There is also the option of a customisable event space for anything from an intimate gathering to a professional function.

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.