A Case For The “Staycation” & Where To Do It In Style In Miami

W South Beach Mega Suite. Photo: W South Beach.

I’ve never been able to fully wrap my head around the idea of a “staycation.” For one thing, I think the word is ridiculous (hence, the quotation marks surrounding it). For another, I think I’ve always conjured an image of checking into the Hampton Inn near Hwy 41 in Cartersville, Georgia–which shouldn’t be anyone’s idea of a sought after vacation. Mostly, it seems like a silly waste of money. If you’ve already got a roof over your head, why spend money on a hotel when you can just go out and experience the city you live in, and then go home and sleep for free. Save that precious hotel money on real travel.

Well, my experience at the JW Marriott Marquis Miami a couple of weeks ago opened up my eyes to the true value of a staycation. It’s not to discover your city. It’s to stay at a fancy hotel with little to no plans of leaving until you checkout. The objective should be to select a hotel that has its own luxe world within a world. My checklist now includes: a luxurious room with a comfortable bed, a great poolscape and a delicious restaurant. Bonus points if it has a nice spa and/or nightlife option (depending on how hard you want to staycay).

My 37th floor king suite with floor to ceiling views of the Miami River at the JW Marriott Marquis could easily function as a fortress of solitude, a sexy lovers’ den or a girlfriend’s getaway slumber party headquarters. Whatever your reason may be to get away from it all without actually going that far, I get it now. A stay in one of Miami’s finest hotels really is a revitalizing vacation.

And what better city to live in to take advantage of all the fancy hotels? Now that we’re approaching the “off season,” room rates are dropping to their lowest of the year (August and September are your best bets for rock bottom rates in Miami). The JW Marriott Marquis Miami obviously gets my seal of approval for a fabulous staycation and here are a few others:

Top Miami Staycation Hotels I Can Personally Vouch For

Fontainebleau Miami Beach– Party and dine in the lap of luxury. Highlights: Beds that feel like you’re sleeping in a cloud, sexy oversized en suite showers, lavish oceanfront poolscape, countless gourmet dining options, LIV nightclub, the scene, enormous spa with every imaginable amenity.

The Raleigh- A cool hideaway in the heart of South Beach. Highlights: Chic Art Deco kitsch decor, beveled swimming pool made famous by Esther Williams, Martini Bar.

Mondrian South Beach– Enter the dreamlike world of Sleeping Beauty’s castle. Highlights: High design rooms, bathroom featuring mosaic tile resembling the sky with chandelier rainfall shower, surreal poolscape overlooking Biscayne Bay for prime sunset gazing.

Loews Miami Beach– Family friendly luxe in the center of South Beach. Highlights: Contemporary chic rooms, lavish oceanfront poolscape, newly opened Lure Fishbar restaurant and exhale Spa, stellar hospitality.

Boca Raton Resort & Club– All encompassing resort catering to the rich & fabulous in Boca. Highlights: Pink palace historic grandeur, sprawling resort with every imaginable amenity (marina, golf, beach club, spa), surf lessons, family friendly.

The Ritz-Carlton South Beach- Hallmark hospitality & luxury in the heart of South Beach. Highlights: Luxe rooms, fab spa, oceanfront pool and restaurant with live music.

Top Miami Hotels I’d Love To Staycay At

W South Beach- The Allure: I’ve seen the Wow Suites and other room categories and I’m ready to check-in, The Dutch restaurant, luxurious oceanfront pool, celeb hotspot.

The Biltmore- The Allure: Historic beauty, Mediterranean revival architecture, enormous pool.

Mandarin Oriental Miami- The Allure: 5-Star everyhting, sign me up.

Acqualina Resort & Spa- The Allure: Lap of luxury to the extreme, 5-Star everything, just make sure you roll up in a Bentley.

The Setai- The Allure: Tallest hotel in South Beach with unparalleled service and amenities, a tranquil luxe retreat with Far East influences.

One Bal Harbour- The Allure: Great restaurant and views, luxury and relaxation away from the scene.

The Epic- The Allure: Epic views, epic spa, epic restaurants, I bet the rooms are epic too.