W South Beach

One of the biggest properties in hotel-rich South Beach, the W has 395 rooms, 40 of which are residences, all with a soothing color palette and resort feel. With ocean views from every room and a range of suites, including multi-level bungalows with private rooftop plunge pools, the W South Beach—and especially their passionate staff—is set up to impress.

• The partial ocean views from every room
• The contemporary art on display, which are swapped out for new pieces every so often
• the personalized concierge service, 11 Insiders, that can be available for anyone who books through Indagare

After its $30 million renovation in 2020, the W has made its mark on the hotel skyline of Miami Beach, sitting on the edge of South Beach— close to the action but removed from the crowds. The glitz is only enhanced by the hotel’s rotating contemporary art collection. (Past works have included such artists as Warhol, Basquiat and Tom Sachs.)

The lobby’s dark aesthetic is contrasted by the lighter color palette of the guest rooms, where modern white and wooden elements take center stage, accompanied by pops of olive green. The rooms are large, with king beds, partial ocean views and a private balcony. The best accommodation for families is the Oasis suite, which has a bedroom and a media room with a pull-out couch. It also has an upscale bathroom, a washer and dryer and an ocean-facing balcony. The glamorous atmosphere is helped by the natural sunlight that pours through the large windows. All rooms have a small kitchenette, and rooms with a small cooktop and oven are also available.

The Restaurant at W South Beach (RWSB) serves Mediterranean delights, like arancini and fresh seafood. Other featured outlets include Mr. Chow, Irma’s and a Wet Bar and Grille. The Restaurant at W South Beach (RWSB) serves Mediterranean delights, like arancini and fresh seafood. The 9,540 square foot AWAY Spa offers a wide variety of wellness and beauty treatments. There is an adults-only pool for those who don’t want to share the water with any children on-site. Unique to the area, the W has a tennis court and basketball court and a fully equipped and modern gym. There is also direct beach access, and members can reserve beach chairs and spaces for their use as needed.

The W South Beach has nearly 15,000 square feet of meeting space—ideal for business conferences, weddings and events. An amazing feature is the customizable projector screen, which can cover the walls with anything from popping Champagne bottles to calming ocean waves.

South Beach visitors looking for a retreat with a buzzy scene and easy access to restaurants, clubs and bars

Those who appreciate smaller properties will be overwhelmed at the W, and will be happier at the tranquil Setai or the boutique Betsy. Families with small children who stay in the Oasis suite or multi-bedroom suites.