Florida is famed for its natural beauty, warm temperature, and Southern charm, not to mention world-famous attractions like Disney World, Kennedy Space Center, countless miles of white-sand beaches, and the peacefulness of the Everglades. As a popular holiday destination, Florida has lots of hotels to select from, especially if you’re seeking something other than a resort or chain hotel. Here’s Culture Trip’s choice of the top boutique hotels in south Florida, from bed & breakfasts to historic estates, all of which are bookable through Culture Trip.
WaterColor Inn, for a family beach vacation in Santa Rosa Beach
Santa Rosa and its sugary sands provide an idyllic backdrop for the WaterColor Inn, which is nestled between the Gulf of Mexico and a coastal dune lake surrounded by a longleaf pine forest. At the entrance, spacious 500sqft (46.5sqm) basic rooms soaked in soothing blues evoke seaside tranquility; on the first level, outdoor cabana showers with impeccable sea views couldn’t be more peaceful. With the beach and kids’ clubs, many restaurants, and other large resort infrastructure. This isn’t an intimate pick, but rather a lively one for discriminating families and parties.
Courtesy of the Gardens Hotel / Expedia
It doesn’t get more Conch (the Key West colloquialism for residents) than this whitewashed tropical retreat with an amazing history. The house was built in the 1880s and is surrounded by tropical landscaping that creates a strong feeling of location. The twisting walkways were built with 87,000 century-old bricks from Cuba, Honduras, and England. Four one-ton earthenware jars known as tina jones that are scattered across the land were previously used by Spanish inhabitants to collect rainwater for drinking. The 21 bedrooms, cottages, and suites are beautifully furnished in Bahamian-plantation-style furniture in yew and mahogany, with separate entrances and outside verandahs.
Courtesy of the Perry Hotel / Expedia
An industrial-chic seaside resort may seem out of place in Key West, but don’t be so sure: The Perry strikes the perfect balance of contemporary and rustic, and layers on a sea-fueled vibe that belies the balmy setting. Oversized private balconies, open-air outdoor showers, outdoor fire pits, and two waterfront swimming pools frame marina and mangrove views in all directions; inside, wood-paneled headboards, coastal-inspired furnishings, wooden ceiling fans, and local photography cultivate a nautical Stock Island vibe. There’s also fresh seafood with a Southern twist.
Courtesy of The Brazilian Court Hotel / Expedia
The beautiful tropical courtyards and fountains surrounded by bygone colonial buildings that define the historic Brazilian Court Hotel in Palm Beach will dazzle you like a Roaring 1920s-era socialite. Two verdant courtyards anchor the timeless design here, an eclectic Mediterranean-inspired combination with hints of Italy and the Moors, and intimacy, solitude, and exquisite elegance are what distinguishes the hotel. With a palm-fringed pool and James Beard-nominated chef Daniel Boulud supervising Café Boulud, there’s little reason to leave. Fortunately, the studios, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments already feel like home.
Courtesy of The Miami Beach EDITION / Expedia
The Miami Beach Edition’s one and two-story oceanfront bungalows are a short walk north of the South Beach limit (24th Street), allowing visitors to tuck away in slightly less raucous settings while being close to the center of the Miami Beach activity. Instead of the normal swirl of wild tropical hues, more subdued earth tones convey a beach feel (khaki, sand, and light hardwoods). If you don’t like the concept of a private plunge pool in your seaside bungalow, Edition has 266 other rooms with a similar relaxing color scheme.
