A Local's Guide To Miami's 3 Can't-Miss Historic Hotels

In the George Bernard Shaw play "You Never Can Tell," a waiter quips that "the great advantage of a hotel is that it is a refuge from home life." As someone who writes extensively on hotels and loves staying at them while on vacation, I no doubt have a soft spot for these properties — particularly the ones steeped in history. Best of all, I can visit hotels at my leisure in sun-drenched Miami — where I was born and raised and continue to call home — without making a reservation and still come away learning a thing or two.

Perhaps you've heard about hideaways like Four Seasons Surf Club, a beachfront vintage charmer in Surfside that makes a fabulous romantic retreat, or the Art Deco hotels for which Miami Beach is famous. Having lived in Miami proper my whole life, however, I don't visit Miami Beach much, save for its annual Auto Show and other events. You can think of me as a Miami museum maven with a deep, firsthand knowledge of the city's cultural gems, including its heritage hotels. 

Speaking of these jewels, below are three historic Miami hotels you should not sleep on (no pun intended) when visiting the Magic City. Beyond great accommodations and convenient amenities like pools and restaurants, these places have a unique story to tell, which makes them all the more irresistible in my view. Even if you opt not to stay the night, you're welcome to stop by and delve into their rich pasts. If you want to work in some shopping, don't miss Aventura Mall, Florida's largest mall, featuring more than two dozen large-scale, museum-quality installations by internationally renowned artists. 

Not to be confused with the North Carolina estate of the same name, The Biltmore is situated in the exclusive suburb of Coral Gables, which is affectionately called The City Beautiful, just 7 miles south of Downtown Miami. Opened in 1926 during the peak of the Florida land boom, this Mediterranean Revival-style hotel showcases striking architecture, melding Moorish, Spanish, and Italian influences. With impressive features like travertine floors, mahogany furniture, marble columns, and hand-painted frescos, you'd be forgiven for thinking you've landed in a Tuscan palazzo at the height of the Renaissance. 

The onsite restaurant, Fontana, is set in an open-air courtyard centered around a fountain, providing a lush setting for dining and unwinding. Alternatively, you can recharge in one of The Biltmore's 271 well-appointed rooms. Presidents and celebrities alike have visited the hotel throughout its illustrious history, from Franklin Roosevelt to Judy Garland. Guests appreciate the ornate hotel's famed pool (the largest of its kind on the East Coast), 18-hole golf course, and European spa. 

My wife and I enjoyed a tour a few years back and even partook in one of its annual Fourth of July fireworks shows. There's just one thing about The Biltmore that gives me pause (and goosebumps): It is said to be haunted by soldiers who were treated here when the property served as a hospital during World War II (at which time it was also the early site of the University of Miami's School of Medicine). In addition, a New York mobster, Thomas "Fatty" Walsh, was murdered on the 13th floor. To this day, his lingering presence is supposedly to blame for doors mysteriously opening and items being moved. The Biltmore was later restored as a luxury hotel and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1996.

There's nothing I like more than comeback stories involving old buildings repurposed to serve a new function, thereby attracting tourism and invigorating the local community in the process. The Langford is a 4-star boutique gem housed in a historic 1925 building that was originally home to the Miami National Bank. Like The Biltmore, the 12-story structure was built in the mid-1920s, but it didn't actually open to the public as a hotel for the first time until 2016. While by no means as flashy as The Biltmore, this gem is bursting with Beaux-Arts charm, accented by oak floors and vintage wall motifs.

One Tripadvisor user calls it "a lovely piece of history in a hotel," noting its "original and eye-catching" features. Thus, it's no surprise that the property was deservedly added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. Modern conveniences demanded by today's travelers are on offer in all 126 rooms, including Wi-Fi and LCD TVs. Queen-size beds, work areas, and tiled bathrooms further enhance the warm, home-like feel. In town for business? The property also features a well-equipped meeting room that I availed myself of when I came for a work function. 

In addition to embracing the building's rich heritage, the hotel is committed to environmental sustainability. To reduce energy consumption, It incorporates energy‑efficient lighting throughout public areas and guestrooms. Plus, the property employs low‑flow water fixtures to tamp down on unnecessary water use. It's merely steps from the Olympia Theater and Miami Tower, with Bayfront Park and Bayside Marketplace an easy stroll away.

Another must-visit Miami hotel is the InterContinental, which holds a special place in my little Miamian heart: it was the site of my high school prom. The resplendent 34-story hotel is a defining feature of the downtown skyline, boasting stellar views of Biscayne Bay. It's also just minutes from the Brickell Financial District and South Beach. Interestingly, the InterContinental's design originated in 1982 with a single work of art — an 18-foot Spindle sculpture in travertine marble — around which the entire lobby was built. 

The hotel stands near the waterfront that once anchored Henry Flagler's Royal Palm Hotel — which opened in 1897 and was demolished in 1930 — positioning the modern InterContinental within a long‑established hospitality landscape. Obviously, the amenities available to travelers here differ markedly from those offered at the Royal Palm Hotel! Take its newly redesigned rooms, which offer superb views of the skyline, water, or both. You can get your day off to a good start with a buffet breakfast at Olé and later delight your taste buds with a succulent steak dinner at Toro Toro. 

For relaxation, take a dip in the onsite pool or melt your worries away in mySpa, voted the #1 spa in Miami on Tripadvisor. You can also partake in a number of on-property activities year-round, from music nights and yoga to dog-friendly events. Once you're ready to hit the town, a wide array of things to do and see awaits. (Is it any wonder this city has been named one of the best destinations across America to visit in 2026?) A short distance away are the Kaseya Center, where you can catch a concert or the NBA's Miami Heat in action, and top-notch cultural institutions including the Frost Science Museum, the HistoryMiami museum, and the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM).