If you’ve been searching for a hotel in Miami Beach or specifically South Beach, then you may have made an alarming discovery: resort fees.
Start to search for a place to stay and you’ll no doubt find that nearly every hotel in the touristy Miami Beach now has these fees tacked on to your total price for the room. So a hotel with a price tag of $150 a night might have an additional $30 “resort fee” tacked on, making the cost closer to $200 — and that’s before the sharp 14% in required taxes are included.
So what are these resort fees and can you avoid paying them?
Resort Fees Explained
Resort fees seem to have popped up everywhere in the past 15 years or so. They are essentially a mandatory fee the hotel adds to the bill, which can cover everything from wi-fi to a “welcome drink” to an umbrella and chair on the beach.
Hotels in Miami Beach and South Beach seem to love these fees as they can put more money in their pocket for almost zero extra cost. After all, a hotel with a $35 resort fee per day gets an extra $100 from a traveler on a three-night stay.
In our searches, it seems the daily rates run $25-50 per day for most hotels.
And because they are considered mandatory, they can be tough to get out of paying. Yes, you could always speak with the front desk to see about them being removed, but who wants to have an argument over fees while on their vacation?
That makes the smartest choice to simply avoid hotels that charge resort fees altogether. The truth is that can be hard to do in this area. However, we spent hours looking through hotels to see who charges these fees and who doesn’t so that you don’t have to do the hard work.
The following list of South Beach/Miami Beach hotels have no resort fees, according to our research. We’ve included links to Kayak so you can read reviews of these hotels from travelers like you.
Given the spread of these fees, however, we would suggest you double check with the hotel before you book to make sure a fee hasn’t been instituted. Fees should be clearly stated before you book the room.
Note: This article contains links to Kayak that are affiliate links. We earn a commission for clicks made on their website, at no charge to you. Ratings come from Google and are rounded to the nearest half point.
Miami Beach Hotels with no Resort Fees
Nassau Suite Hotel
If you are coming to South Beach wanting the classic art-deco design, this hotel is for you. The building was originally built in 1936 and has since been restored. The all-suite hotel has just 44 rooms, meaning it’s an intimate stay right on Collins Ave. and just a block from Lummus Park. You also don’t want to miss the rooftop pool! No wonder this hotel has a near-perfect rating from guests.
- Review rating: 5 out of 5
- Phone: 786-646-2475
- Address: 1414 Collins Ave.
Hilton Garden Inn Miami South Beach
While the hotel bills itself as being in South Beach, we’d actually consider it more Mid-Beach. A block from the water, it’s a smart idea for those looking for a place near the action and just a few minutes from the heart of the classic South Beach Ocean Drive. (It’s also close to the Miami Beach Convention Center if you’re headed there.)
Our search showed the traditional 14% hotel taxes when booking, but no resort fee as seen with most other hotels in the area.
- Review rating: 3.5 out of 5
- Phone: 305-642-7656
- Address: 2940 Collins Ave.
The Setai
If you want high-end, then The Setai Miami Beach is likely exactly what you’re looking for. It even was voted the #3 resort hotel in Miami Beach by Travel & Leisure. With that sort of credential, you should know that yes, it’s upscale and luxurious. Rates seem to start around $600 but often go higher, so be prepared to open your wallet.
The good news is that there is no extra fee like you find at many other properties in Miami Beach. As well, there are offers for free nights with extended stays.
- Review rating: 4.5 out of 5
- Phone: 305-600-3099
- Address: 2001 Collins Ave.
Shepley South Beach Hotel
This hotel was built in 1937 in that now-classic art deco style. Today, the hotel is small with only 29 rooms, making it perfect for those looking for a spot that’s not as big and crowded as some of the larger hotels. Meanwhile, it sits just one block back from the beach on Collins Avenue right in the middle of South Beach.
Even with that location (and strong reviews) the spot is affordable, with prices around $150 per night in many cases. Add to that there is no resort fee, which is a rarity in the area.
- Review rating: 4.5 out of 5
- Phone: 786-260-6124
- Address: 1340 Collins Ave.
Donatella Boutique Hotel
Sitting next door to The Shepley is another boutique hotel, but in a completely different style. Donatella labels itself as a “Mediterranean oasis in Miami Beach.” Highly rated, the hotel offers a limited number of airy (think white walls, light wood tones and arches) suites. Here you are in the heart of South Beach and just two blocks from the beach. Despite all that, the hotel shows no resort fees when booking.
- Review rating: 4.5 out of 5
- Phone: 305-400-4393
- Address: 1350 Collins Ave.
Popular: 39 Useful Things to Pack (17 You Wouldn't Think Of)
Read Next: Park & Cruise Hotels for Every Port in America
Popular: 107 Best Cruise Tips, Secrets, Tricks, and Freebies
Well, The Mimosa now charges a tourism surcharge.
Looking for a decent 4 star hotel between Collins Avenue and ocean drive Miami for 4 nights in June that do not charge resort fees
Then you’re at the right article. These hotels all don’t have resort fees. There’s a map at the bottom of the article.