As Memorial Day approaches and Florida heats up much earlier than many other destinations, thousands of beach-bound celebrators come to the Sunshine State to visit lifestyle hotels, resort pools, nightlife, rooftop bars, recreational activities and relaxation. Below we’ve rounded up the top destinations in Florida to visit this Memorial Day Weekend.
Miami
THesis Hotel
THesis Hotel Miami, a modern property that serves as a cultural hub in historic Coral Gables, has 245 modernly-appointed guest rooms and suites in a strikingly designed building. Amenities include a sun-filled rooftop pool with tropical views and a poolside bar; two on-site restaurants, Mamey and Orno, led by Food + Wine Best Chef of 2020 winner and James Beard nominee Niven Patel. With a robust, year-round calendar of programming and events – all open to the public – THesis is not only a hotel, but a destination that fosters genuine connection and creative expression; a place where curious, like-minded individuals exchange ideas, celebrate art, discover new cultural experiences, and engage with their community.
The Balfour Hotel
The Balfour Hotel is a historic property, formerly known as The Lord Balfour Hotel, with 82 guest rooms and suites spread out over two Art-Deco style buildings connected by an enchanting courtyard. Designed in 1940 by Anton Skislewicz, an important architect behind Miami Beach’s Art Deco history, The Balfour Hotel caters to design-conscious visitors with a unique style that has an undeniably timeless appeal. An elevated, plunge pool with an underwater window provides the perfect Instagram shot of swimmers behind the glass wall. Terracotta mosaic tiles, chaise lounges and ratan lounge seating invite guests to sunbathe and enjoy the seasonal rotations of refreshers including frozen grapes and fruit smoothies.
The Gabriel Miami
The Gabriel Miami is a 129-key lifestyle hotel in Downtown Miami, offering spacious rooms and suites and views of Biscayne Bay. Adjacent to the hotel’s palm-tree-lined sun deck on the 14th floor is a rectangular pool with views of the intracoastal waterway, the Miami Beach skyline, PortMiami and Biscayne Bay, providing guests with the ultimate venue for relaxation and tranquility among the city’s cultural epicenter. Select rooms feature balconies with outdoor seating, providing the ultimate venue for watching the sunrise over the Miami skyline.
The Gabriel South Beach
The Gabriel South Beach is a boutique property located on Ocean Drive in South Beach. The boutique property has with two pools, including a show-stopping, glass bottom pool on the roof overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and is comprised of three individual buildings – including the historic Park Central Hotel, Heathcote Apartments and the Imperial Hotel, presenting travelers with the classic Art Deco design and architecture synonymous with Miami Beach. Guests will find a 30-foot-tall mural by the French-born, Los Angeles-based street artist Mr. Brainwash, known for his large-scale installations and prints of celebrities like Madonna, Kate Moss, and Marilyn Monroe and his practice of subverting cultural iconography similar to Andy Warhol and Banksy. The hotel blends Art Deco modernism with tropical allure.
The Shelborne South Beach
The Shelborne was originally built in 1940 and designed by famed Art Deco architects Igor Polevitsky and Thomas Triplett Russel. It was embellished in the 1950s by Neo-baroque design master Morris Lapidus. The property houses an iconic Art Deco pool, David’s Cafe (For authentic Cuban coffee) and Sweet Beach, with cuisine by James Beard Winner Michelle Bernstein. The bar was conceptualized and operated by the team at locally celebrated Sweet LIberty Drinks & Supply Co. Finally, head out to the pool for a relaxed vibe and traditional South Beach nostalgia. There’s also an amazing Oasis Garden, offering various moon watching events and fitness programming on weekends.
Broward County
Hillsboro Beach Resort
Hillsboro Beach Resort, known for exclusivity and privacy, is the only resort located on exclusive Hillsboro Mile, known colloquially as “Millionaire’s Mile” for the numerous oceanfront mansions and luxury yachts lining the town’s street. The luxury resort boasts 72 well-appointed guest rooms, studios and suites, including rooms with views of the beach. Guests can expect to delight in internationally inspired cuisine at the resort restaurant Roí or can experience the relaxed atmosphere of the ocean view resort pool or private beach. Perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, guests can enjoy a day of watersports from the resort’s intracoastal mooring or head out on one of the resort’s beach cruiser bicycles to explore the surrounding areas.
Key West
The Marker Key West Harbor Resort
The Marker Key West Harbor Resort is ideally located on the Historic Key West Harbor at 200 William Street, just steps from lively Duval Street and Mallory Square. This modern, waterfront resort offers a hidden sanctuary of lush tropical grounds, three saltwater pools, an open-air restaurant and bar for al fresco dining, and a state-of-the-art fitness center. Each of the resort’s 96 spacious and luxuriously appointed guest rooms feature a private balcony, perfectly appointed design elements and Key West-inspired touches.
Emerald Coast
HOTEL EFFIE
Hotel Effie, situated on Florida’s Emerald Coast, features 250 guest rooms and suites, four culinary concepts by acclaimed Chef Hugh Acheson, a luxury spa, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and the only rooftop pool on Florida’s Emerald Coast. The hotel also features 20,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 13,000-square-foot ballroom. Guests have access to the full complement of Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort amenities including more than seven miles of pristine beaches and bayfront, four championship golf courses, 15 world-class tennis courts, a 223-slip marina, and an additional 65,000 square feet of meeting space. Additionally, the Village of Baytowne Wharf, a charming pedestrian village with events, shopping, dining and nightlife, is located within walking distance of Hotel Effie.
SANDESTIN® GOLF AND BEACH RESORT
Sandestin® Golf and Beach Resort boasts 2,400 acres with over 70 charming neighborhoods featuring over 1,000 vacation rentals including condominiums, villas, homes and townhomes. The resort features more than seven miles of beaches and pristine bay front, four championship golf courses, 15 world-class tennis courts, 20 swimming pools, a 226-slip marina, a fitness center and spa. Shop, dine and play at the charming pedestrian village, The Village of Baytowne Wharf. New developments include Hotel Effie Sandestin, a 250-room hotel that opened in February 2021, and Osprey Pointe which opened in the summer of 2020 adding an additional 77 vacation condominiums.
