Miami Beach hotels: From a 1940s Art Deco skyscraper to floor-to-ceiling windows with ocean views

The Big Six

Thompson

Thompson

Miami Beach is celebrating its centenary this year, with events taking place throughout the year. In similarly celebratory mood is the new Thompson hotel, which opened last November. It is the group's first beach-front resort and is spread across a succession of towers: a 1940s Art Deco skyscraper; a 1950s glass and steel tower; and a modern addition built in 2007. The bedrooms are colourful, with sea-blue curtains and sand-yellow floors. Bright, floral furnishings make the rooms cheery, while floor-to-ceiling windows offer views out over the ocean. There are two outdoor swimming pools, surrounded by palm trees, and an open-air spa on the 10th floor.

4041 Collins Avenue (001 786 605 4041; thompsonhotels.com). Doubles start at $246 (£164), room only.

1 Hotel

This South Beach option brings the outside in, with bedroom walls lined with salvaged drift wood. There's also an environmental consciousness at play, with hemp-blend mattresses, organic cotton sheets, and even small terrariums to admire. Ocean-view rooms come with floor-to-ceiling windows and day beds to maximise the outlook. Activities such as stand-up paddleboard yoga are on offer, and there are also four swimming pools, including a rooftop pool, and one that converts into a hot tub.

2341 Collins Avenue (001 305 604 1000; 1hotels.com). Doubles start at $313 (£209), room only.

The Miami Edition

This enormous South Beach hotel is another Ian Schrager offering. It's spread across three and a half acres and comprises 294 guest rooms and suites including 28 private bungalows and a rooftop penthouse. The lobby is punctuated by large gold pillars, while the bedrooms are more restrained, with muted colours, relaxing day beds, and floor-to-ceiling windows with ocean views. In typical Schrager style, the mini-bars include underwear, condoms, sunglasses, and even beach bags.

2901 Collins Avenue (001 786 257 4500; editionhotels.com). Doubles start at $309 (£206), room only.

National Hotel

Renovated last year, the National features a stylish Art Deco lobby and tempting ocean-facing 60m infinity pool – Miami's longest. As well as 116 city and ocean-view rooms in the hotel's historic South Beach tower, there are also 36 luxurious cabanas and suites, which are surrounded by palm trees. Bedrooms evoke the building's 1930s origins, with tropical hardwood furnishings and dark leather headboards. Poolside cabana rooms have large terraces or balconies next to the infinity pool.

1677 Collins Avenue (001 305 532 2311; nationalhotel.com). Doubles start at $273 (£182), B&B.

Tides South Beach

Fifties-glam is the name of the game at this South Beach address. From the grand Art Deco entrance to the golden, beachy interiors, this landmark hotel speaks to its location. Spindly, driftwood decorates the lobby, while the bedrooms are furnished with retro animal-print rugs and tree-trunk coffee tables. Suites have large built-in bathtubs which overlook the ocean, and the hotel's swimming pool is flanked by shady cabanas complete with chaises longues and parasols.

1220 Ocean Drive (001 305 604 5070; tidessouthbeach.com). Doubles start at $349 (£233), room only.

The Betsy

There's a colonial feel at this elegant but hip hotel in South Beach. The entrance hall is a riot of towering, green plants, heavy wooden furniture, and cream-coloured furnishings. By contrast, the bedrooms are light and airy, with white linen and colourful accents in blue, purple, orange or green. There's a rooftop terrace which comes with shaded sun loungers and massage tables, as well as a swimming pool and full gym. There's also a year-round programme of music, arts and culture.

1440 Ocean Drive (001 866 792 3879; thebetsyhotel.com). Doubles start at $225 (£150), room only.