Heat Retreats

TRAVEL

Heat
RETREATS

By Jenny Starr Perez

THESE STANDOUT STAYS REMIND YOU THAT PARADISE IS ALREADY HOME. HERE ARE 12 PERFECT REASONS NOT TO LEAVE TOWN WHEN THE SUN STARTS SIZZLING.

Why book a red-eye when Miami and Fort Lauderdale are practically their own Riviera? With iconic architecture, award-winning dining, and cultural experiences just a rideshare away, these luxe local escapes invite you to rethink the concept of travel. Craving coastal calm? Design-driven digs or the next best thing to a European summer? These standouts prove that the best vacations might be the ones that don’t require a boarding pass. Your only dilemma? Where to check in first.

Wellness with a Wink

A grown-up’s paradise of spa-centric rituals, astrological experiences, and garden hideouts. The summer lineup at The Standard Spa includes monthly horoscopes, poolside hydrotherapy, and cosmic cocktails on the bay. Designed as a sanctuary for self-discovery, this adults-only retreat offers a Turkish Hammam, Roman waterfall, and cedar sauna with sweeping views. Add in zodiac-inspired menus at Monterrey Bar and bespoke readings by Lori Bell, and you’ve got a spa hotel experience that feels cosmically personal and perpetually chic.
standardhotels.com

Design District Daydream

A cinematic collision of culture and comfort, The Moore in the Design District offers just 15 oversized guest suites amid original artwork, curated programming, and an awe-inspiring Zaha Hadid sculpture anchoring the space. Summer guests can explore rotating exhibits and immersive events, all housed within a restored Neoclassical gem. Each room ranges from 700 to over 1,000 square feet, offering expansive residential comfort with gallery-worthy design. It’s a destination for those who crave stimulation, serenity, and an aesthetic that celebrates Miami’s architectural past and cultural future.
themooremiami.com

Versace’s Chic Sister

Opening May 2025, the Donatella Boutique Hotel is a sixroom jewel that channels the Versace Mansion’s historic charm with custom Mediterranean design, beach access, and butler service. Guests can unwind at the new Donatella Restaurant, offering upscale Italian fare by Chef Alessandro Morrone. Booking begins April 21 for summer stays. Natural stone, golden accents, and locally crafted decor lend a sensual, bespoke ambiance, while dedicated concierge and spa access elevate every moment. With a prime Collins Avenue address and sisterhood to some of Miami Beach’s most legendary properties, Donatella promises an indulgent, artfully curated escape.
donatellahotel.com

Zen at the Shoreline

Celebrating 20 years of luxury, The Setai continues to stun with its Asian-inspired tranquility and Michelin starred dining. This summer, indulge in cuisine at Japón, Jaya and Ocean Grill, or unwind in a suite designed for serenity. Its triple crown of accolades—Forbes Five-Star, AAA Five Diamond, and 2 Michelin Keys—underscores the uncompromising standard of excellence. The recently enhanced spa treatments and curated beachfront experiences ensure this timeless icon remains as relevant and refined as ever.
thesetaihotel.com

Old School, New Cool

With a beachside ice rink, bowling alley, two pools and Jean-Georges dining, the Miami Beach EDITION blends nostalgia with sleek sophistication. Enjoy live entertainment and summer cocktails from MATADOR Bar to Market. Guests can retreat to private bungalows or take a twilight dip in the landscaped pool garden. Inside, the stylish lobby and cleverly curated common areas invite leisurely lounging or spontaneous networking. EDITION continues to innovate while maintaining timeless appeal, offering a stay that balances opulence with intimacy.
editionhotels.com

Dolce Vita in the Grove

From Bellinis on arrival to 15% off at Il Giardino and beach perks through September 30, Mr. C Miami’s summer package includes live music, cabana specials, and cinema nights in The Grove. Designed by Arquitectonica, the hotel takes cues from nautical silhouettes and Old-World glamour. Expect private balconies, plush linens, and curated Italian fare at every turn. This is elegance filtered through the breezy lens of the Cipriani legacy.
mrchotels.com/miami

French Riviera meets South Beach

Newly renovated and steps from the surf, Kimpton Surfcomber brings playful luxury to Miami’s Art Deco District. The 186-room hotel offers direct beach access, a lush pool deck, spa cabanas, and an endless lineup of “Daylife” activities, from morning yoga to family-friendly games. This year, its signature restaurant, The Social Club, debuted a stunning redesign with a French Mediterranean menu crafted by Chef Gastón Javier. Expect luxe interiors, shareable plates like bison short rib and crab croquettes, and experiential programming like omakase nights and cocktail flights. Pair it all with bottomless brunches and live DJs during themed events like Viva La Brunch and Theatre Kid Brunch.
surfcomber.com

Polish Meets Poolside

The Ritz-Carlton Fort Lauderdale’s Sea La Vie Sundeck and award-winning Burlock Coast celebrate summer with oceanfront dining, $25 weekday happy hour specials, and a family beach package with 50% off a second room. The spa offers seasonal treatments and classics like the Intuitive Ocean massage, while Ritz Kids keeps younger guests engaged. With stylish suites, infinity pool views and Prohibition-era cocktails, this beachfront icon proves sophistication and fun aren’t mutually exclusive.
ritzcarlton.com

Where Art Sleeps

With 250+ curated artworks, DJ sets, omakase at Sushi by Bou, and summer rates up to 30% off, Arlo’s rooftop pool and skyline views put Wynwood at your fingertips. This urban retreat also offers complimentary wellness classes, vibrant street art tours, and cocktails on the hidden ART Wynwood rooftop. From its eclectic design to its scene-making events, Arlo makes staying in the arts district an art form.
arlohotels.com

Deco Dreams & Velvet Scenes

Book five nights and stay for six with Faena Miami Beach’s “Winter in Paradise” offer through April 30. Catch the retrocool cabaret show or dine at the new Campo, blending Argentine soul with Miami flavor. A vision of velvet, gold and theatrical flair, Faena invites guests to escape into its world of immersive art, holistic healing, and fashion-forward decadence.
faena.com/miami-beach

The Icon Endures

Home to LIV and 12 dining venues, Fontainebleau heats things up with Mirabella’s Sunday Suppers and a sleek new convention space perfect for event-centric summer escapes. With a Lapis Spa steeped in mineral therapies, celebrity-chef restaurants, and an iconic oceanfront pool, this is classic Miami glamour remixed for modern indulgence.
fontainebleau.com

Sustainably Sublime

With four pools, rooftop dining and the new AVIV restaurant from James Beard Award winners, 1 Hotel South Beach is a beachfront paradise that offers wellness-centered luxury and seasonally inspired menus. Sustainability is woven into every detail—from salvaged wood interiors to a spa that channels Earth’s rhythms. For those seeking luxury with a conscience, this serene urban oasis checks every box.
1hotels.com

Photography is courtesy of The Moore Miami, The Miami Beach Edition, Miami Beach, Mr. C Miami, Coconut Grove, Arlo Wynwood, Kimpton Surfcomber Miami Beach, Faena Miami Beach, The Louis Collection (Donatella Boutique Hotel), The Setai Miami Beach, Fontainebleau Miami Beach.