Miami is one of Florida’s most popular cities, so it’s no surprise you’ll also find some of the most exciting luxury hotels in the area.
If you’re looking to visit the Sunshine State, consider staying at these two famous hotels – the Four Seasons and The Ritz-Carlton.
Learn all the details and find out which hotel is best for you in this Four Seasons Hotel Miami vs The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach comparison.
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Quick Glance: Four Seasons Hotel Miami vs The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach
| Four Seasons Miami | The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach | |
| Location | Brickell, Miami’s Financial District, Florida | Lincoln Road, South Beach, Florida |
| Getting There | To reach the Four Seasons Miami from Miami International Airport (MIA), it will take 40 to 60 minutes by car. | To reach The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach from Miami International Airport (MIA), it’ll be a 15- to 30-minute car ride. |
| Room | 221 Rooms and Suites | 375 Rooms and Suites |
| Amenities | Swimming Pool, Spa, Gym, Beautiful Artworks | Fitness Center, Sauna, Spa, Swimming Pool, Club Lounge, Beach Access |
| Food and Dining | 2 Restaurants and Bar, Room Service | 4 Restaurants and Bars, Room Service |
| Staff and Guest Services | Fantastic and professional service | Excellent staff that are always attentive to guests |
| Price | Low Season: $540 // Average Season: $925 // Peak Season: $1,808 | Low Season: $500 // Average Season: $1,400 // Peak Season: $3,692 |
| Points Redemption | Four Seasons doesn’t have any points redemption option at the moment. | Yes, it’s a Category 8 Marriott hotel. This means you can book a free night using 70,000 points on off-peak dates. If you visit during peak dates, expect to exchange 100,000 points per night. Meanwhile, for standard dates, it’ll require 85,000 points. |
The Details: Four Seasons Miami vs The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach
Four Seasons Miami
Four Seasons Miami. Image Credit: Four Seasons Miami
Easily accessible, stylish, and quite posh, the Four Seasons Hotel Miami proves you don’t need to be a beachside property to draw in guests.
Location
The hotel is located at the heart of the finance district, Brickell Avenue. It is Miami’s primary business area so the hotel is popular with business travelers. Expect to see high-rise buildings, offices, and restaurants within the vicinity of the hotel. If you’re after the beach, it’s also nearby.
To reach the hotel, you can fly into any of the nearby airports. However, the closest one is Miami International Aiport (MIA) which lets you reach the hotel in about 40-60 minutes. You can also drive or take the bus to reach Florida if you’re already in the continental U.S.
The hotel occupies a 70-story building, the second tallest in Miami. The bottom floors are composed of offices while the middle floors are dedicated to the hotel and the rest of the upper floors serve as private residences.
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Room
Hotel guest rooms occupy floors 20 to 36. From the entrance, you can take the elevator to the 7th floor where the lobby is located. This elegant space is marked by Botero sculptures and the reception desk.
Standard rooms start at 500 square feet, larger than most entry-level spaces. There’s a hallway with a door leading to the bathroom on the left. Inside the bedroom is an inviting king bed with handsome wood and textured headboard.
The beds at the Four Seasons are some of the best in hotels. It has plump, comfortable mattresses, and chic, white linens. Fronting the bed is a television while the sides are flanked by wooden bedsides and lamps.
Near the back, there are chairs and a desk for working. Some rooms offer a city view while others have a bay view. There’s more seating provided by the window too so you can lounge while soaking in the view. Coffeemakers, a mini-fridge, and a water heater are also provided.
Going back to the bathroom, it’s luxurious and well-appointed. It contains double sinks, a huge wall mirror, good lighting, a proper tub, and a glass walk-in shower. Towels and robes are provided including L’Occitane bath products.
Amenities
Though it’s a bit off the water, there’s never a lack of amenities at the Four Seasons Hotel Miami. The hotel has a stunning tree-lined pool deck on the 7th floor. Surrounding the pools are cabanas and loungers for guests to relax in while taking in the views as well. It’s quite a stunner and something guests at the hotel often rave about.
Another highlight amenity is the Equinox Gym. Stunning, well-equipped gyms are a trademark for the hotel chain and it’s no different here. The gym is quiet and as expected, comes with a host of great machines anyone can use. From weights, cardio devices, treadmills, and more!
The resort also offers weekly classes and spa treatments like facials, waxing, microdermabrasion, and massages, in case you want to avail of it. While the amenities are limited in comparison to resort-style properties, it’s still more than enough for guests to enjoy.
Food and Dining
Four Seasons Miami – Bahia Restaurant. Image Credit: Four Seasons Miami
The Edge Steak & Bar is the hotel’s signature restaurant. It’s found on the 7th floor, just off the lobby, and features both indoor as well as outdoor seating.
The restaurant offers a farm-to-table experience with a selection of dishes from meat, local seafood, and vegetables. Guests can also enjoy their breakfast here.
Bahia is the hotel’s poolside bar. It offers a host of cocktails and some Mexican, Latin-inspired dishes. You can also grab fine wine at the Edge Lounge.
If you’re feeling adventurous, the nearby areas of the hotel are perfect for indulging in other restaurants. Because of its location, there’s never a shortage of great food places around.
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Staff and Guest Services
The Four Seasons Hotel Miami has an amazing staff! They’re professional and friendly without coming off as pandering or obligatory. Little things like remembering drink preferences in breakfast along with prompt replies to requests are some of the things that make the service enjoyable.
Price
While it’s not the most expensive hotel around, it is nonetheless pricey to stay here. During the low season, a standard room costs $540 per night while in the peak season, it can go as high as $1,800 per night. However, during the average season, a standard room is $925 per night.
Points Redemption
As of the moment, Four Seasons Resort doesn’t offer any points redemption.
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Who Is It For?
Business travelers and leisure tourists who want to be in the middle of the city when vacationing will love the Four Seasons Hotel Miami. The amenities are limited but they offer fantastic service, and everything is well-thought-out.
Four Seasons Hotel Miami Gallery
Four Seasons Miami – One Bedroom Suite. Image Credit: Four Seasons Miami
Four Seasons Miami – Pool Cabanas. Image Credit: Four Seasons Miami
Four Seasons Miami. Image Credit: Four Seasons Miami
Four Seasons Miami – Pool Area. Image Credit: Four Seasons Miami
The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach
The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach. Image Credit: The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach
Considered as one of the best resorts in Florida you can book with points, The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach delivers when it comes to world-class amenities, great service, and fantastic accommodations.
Location
Right on edge of Lincoln Road, you’re never far away from the sights and sounds of South Beach when staying at The Ritz. It’s a walk away from restaurants, designer shops, nightclubs, and bars along Collins Avenue or Ocean Drive.
This is great for people who want to be in the middle of the action. However, it can also be a disadvantage for those who don’t like busy tourist spots. This particular corner where the hotel is located is among the busiest here, so do expect a lot of people and activity on the streets.
To reach the hotel, if you’re flying in from Miami International Airport (MIA), it will take a 15 to 30-minute car drive or taxi. If you arrive from the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), it’ll take about an hour or so to get to the hotel.
Room
After its recent renovation, The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach now showcases fresh and modern rooms that fit well with the casual, party vibe of South Beach. Entry-level rooms start with the City View Suite.
Standard rooms start at 800 square feet. It’s equipped with ample living and dining areas along with huge windows that allow plenty of natural light. Rooms are double occupancy with two enormous beds decked in white sheets and attractive blue leather headboards.
Most of the room features white walls but to keep it from looking sterile, white LEDs, stylish molding, pops of ochres, and deep blues are added on the furniture and pillows.
There’s a flatscreen TV and an honor bar too. A small dining area with a privacy screen helps to break up the large space. Some rooms include a patio with an ocean or city view. It’s a great way to lounge, especially when the weather is good.
Right by the entrance is a door leading to the bathroom. Again, the room is decked in all white but with beautiful dark accents on the countertops and mirror. Most of the rooms include striking white marble that is complemented by Art Deco touches on the cabinetry and twin sinks.
There’s a spacious tub and a private enclosed shower with striking marble all around. Bulgari toiletries are also offered for guests to use.
Amenities
Because it’s right in the middle of the city, it’s not a huge hotel but it does have all the amenities to make guests feel comfortable.
First, there’s the beautiful cross-shaped pool. It is the pièce de résistance of the resort and is quite popular with both locals and tourists.
All around the pools are sun loungers with umbrellas and wooden chairs. There’s also a spacious sun deck with a host of chairs set up along with free sunscreen so you can bask under the sun until 5:00 p.m. Near the area is a small jacuzzi too.
There’s a 24-hour gym as well as the stunning Ritz-Carlton Spa. Guests can indulge in a variety of treatments including deep muscle massage, couple’s massages, facials, and more. In addition, there’s a meeting room and various indoor as well as outdoor wedding venues to use.
Food and Dining
The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach – Fuego Y Mar Restaurant. Image Credit: The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach
One of the standout dining areas at The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach is the Dilido Beach Club. It offers all-day dining and showcases one of the most stunning oceanfront views around.
The restaurant serves delicious entrées inspired by Greek, French, and Spanish cuisine. At the bar area, you can indulge in tasty drinks combining medicinal herbs and other healthy greens.
Breakfast is often served at Fuego Y Mar, and like most restaurants, they have indoor and outdoor areas. The restaurant serves coastal Latin dishes with tasty specialties like the red snapper fillet and lamb chops.
For amazing drinks, the Lapidus Bar offers a nod to the classic Miami cocktail bar. It has music, gorgeous interior design and lighting, and of course, the finest drinks. The bar is named after the original architect of the hotel.
You can also opt to purchase Club Lounge access where you can indulge in food and drinks at different times of the day.
Staff and Guest Services
The staff at the Ritz-Carlton, South Beach are friendly and highly attentive. They will call you by name when possible and make sure any requests you have are addressed. However, there are times when the staff could become overwhelmed especially during busy times, something to keep in mind.
Price
A night at the Ritz-Carlton, South Beach can get pricey. In the low season, a standard room here during the low season starts at $500 per night. However, if you visit in the peak season, the room starts at $3,600 per night. During the average season, the rate is around $1,400 per night.
Points Redemption
The good news is you can redeem a free rewards night here. The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach is a Category 8 Marriott property so a rewards night in the off-peak dates requires 70,000 points per night. During peak dates, it will require 100,000 points per night. On the average dates, it will require at least 85,000 points per night.
Who Is It For?
The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach is designed for anyone who wants a stylish, smart hotel while visiting South Beach. It’s great for couples, families, or groups of friends looking to be within walking distance at the heart of South Beach.
The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach Gallery
The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach – Spa. Image Credit: The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach
The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach – Lobby. Image Credit: The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach
The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach – Bedroom. Image Credit: The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach
The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach – Beach Area. Image Credit: The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach
Best For: Which Resort Should You Go For?
| Winner | What Makes It Great | |
| Best for Food | The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach | While the Four Seasons Miami has amazing restaurants too, Dilido Beach at The Ritz-Carlton is marvelous and right on the beach! |
| Best for Pools | Tie | Both hotels have stunning iconic swimming pools. |
| Best for Spa | The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach | They have a more extensive spa with a selection of treatments. |
| Best for Beaches | The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach | It’s right in the middle of South Beach. |
| Best For Adults | Four Seasons Hotel Miami | Adults will find the Four Seasons Hotel Miami to be quieter and less hectic. |
| Best for Families | The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach | Because of its location and beach access, the resort is better for families traveling together. |
| Best Location | Tie | Both hotels are in key locations and roughly the same distance from their nearest airport, the Miami International Airport (MIA). |
| Best for a Calm Vacation | Four Seasons Hotel Miami | The Four Seasons Hotel Miami wins this one because it’s calmer and less hectic. |
| Best for Service | Tie | Attentive and professional service for both hotels. |
| Most Exclusive | The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach | Being one of the most prestigious luxury hotel brands, The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach offers more beachfront exclusivity for guests. |
Wrapping Up
Whether it’s a weekend trip or a week-long extravaganza, have a fantastic time on your Florida vacation by staying at any one of these incredible luxury hotels.
Safe travels!