As frozen “nor’easters” ravage the U.S. East Coast, thoughts are wandering down to sunny Florida where most weather challenged city dwellers head for escape. Those lucky enough to catch unimpeded flights to The Sunshine State will no doubt look for some luxury and pampering during their stay. A survey by Luxury-Hotels.com checked out the best room rates to be found this month at the top of the hotel chain.

Not surprisingly, the most expensive hotel in Florida is located in Miami, according to the survey. The report compared prices at all luxury hotels in the vibrant port city, based on the rates for the most affordable double room during March 2018 – a time when hotel rates in most Floridian destinations typically reach their peak.

With a minimum rate of $1,573 per night, the Fisher Island Resort, located on a barrier island close to Miami Beach, leads the rankings. The Ritz-Carlton, situated in the upscale city of Naples in southwest Florida, and The Breakers, in the coastal town of Palm Beach in south Florida, complete the podium with rates of $1,164 and $1,131 respectively.

Florida vacation

 

Other notable appearances in the survey’s Top 10 include The Moorings, which emerged as the most expensive accommodation option to be found along the famous Florida Keys chain of tropical islands, with a rate of $1,127 per night. On Miami Beach, meanwhile, the priciest options came out as the Faena Hotel ($918) and the Setai ($898).

The following table shows the 10 most expensive luxury hotels in Miami. The rates shown reflect the price for the cheapest available double room in each property during February and March 2018.

  1. Fisher Island Resort (Miami) $1,573
  2. The Ritz-Carlton, Naples $1,164
  3. The Breakers Palm Beach $1,131
  4. The Moorings Village (Islamorada) $1,127
  5. Four Seasons at the Surf Club (Surfside) $1,105
  6. Ritz-Carlton Bal Harbour $1,063
  7. The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort $997
  8. Faena Hotel Miami Beach $918
  9. The Setai (Miami Beach) $898
  10. Sunset Key Cottages (Key West) $893

 

 

Hotel Brand Luxury Beyond the Breakers

As for top brands outside the southeastern peninsula, the Luxury Institute recently released its 2018 Global Hotels Luxury Brand Status Index, featuring annual rankings and ratings of 40 global luxury hotel brands by affluent consumers from the world’s richest countries.

Surveying 3,900 consumers from seven countries who represent the top 10% of households by annual income, The Ritz-Carlton chain came out with the best scores all around.

Respondents rated each hotel brand on quality, exclusivity, social status, and the ability to make guests feel special. In addition, affluent travelers weighed in on whether they were willing to recommend specific brands to friends and family, whether a hotel brand is worth the premium pricing, and which hotels they are most likely to choose for upcoming travel.

Affluent Consumer Key Findings:

  • Affluent consumers average of 17 nights per year in hotels, with 76% reporting at least one luxury hotel stay during the past twelve months.
  • Affluent consumers who stay at luxury hotels stay an average of 11 nights per year.
  • Affluent consumers from China (88%), Italy (83%) and the United Kingdom (81%) are most likely to report staying at a luxury hotel in the past year.
  • Affluent consumers (82%) cite leisure as the reason for their stay at a luxury hotel, while one-third (33%) report having some business purpose for their luxury hotel visit. Two-thirds (66%) report traveling with a spouse or partner, while only 9% report traveling with business colleagues. Solo travelers comprise 14% of luxury hotel guests.

In addition to Ritz-Carlton, other luxury hotel brands under consideration were, in alphabetical order: Aman Resorts, Armani Hotels, Banyan Tree, Club Med, Como Hotels and Resorts, Conrad Hotels and Resorts, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, Firmdale Hotels, Four Seasons, Grand Hyatt, InterContinental, JW Marriott, Jumeirah, Kempinski Hotels, Langham, Le Meridien, Leading Hotels of the World, Loews Hotels, The Luxury Collection, Mandarin Oriental, Maybourne Hotels, Oberoi, Orient-Express Hotels, Pan Pacific, Park Hyatt, The Peninsula Hotels, Preferred Hotels & Resorts, Raffles Hotels and Resorts, Regent, The Rocco Forte Collection, Rosewood, Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts, Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Sofitel, St. Regis, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces, Trump International Hotels, W Hotels and Resorts, and Waldorf Astoria Hotels and Resorts.