4.5★
Brickell
InterContinental Miami
The closest full-service tower to PortMiami — bay views and a five-minute ride to the cruise terminal.
Two of Miami's most popular bases, separated by a causeway and a completely different vibe.
It's the most common Miami lodging question we get: Brickell or South Beach? They're only about four miles apart, but they deliver opposite trips. South Beach is the Miami of the postcards — ocean, Art Deco, and the scene. Brickell is the modern city — glass towers, bay views, restaurants, and the shortest ride to the cruise port. Here's how they actually compare.
| Brickell | South Beach | |
|---|---|---|
| The vibe | Modern, urban, skyline & bay | Beach, Art Deco, see-and-be-seen |
| Beach access | Not on the beach (15–20 min away) | Directly on the sand |
| To PortMiami | 5–10 min | 20–30 min |
| Best for | Cruises, business + leisure, city lovers | Beach trips, nightlife, first-timers |
| Nightlife | Rooftop bars, lounges, restaurants | Clubs, Ocean Drive, late nights |
| Walkability | Very walkable + free Metromover | Very walkable along the beach |
| Getting around | Easy without a car | Easy on the island; rideshare off it |
| Relative price | Often slightly lower | Peaks hard in winter & events |
Still deciding between all six areas? See the full Miami neighborhood guide, or jump straight to Brickell hotels and South Beach hotels. Cruising? The PortMiami pre-cruise guide has hotel-to-terminal times for every neighborhood.
The closest full-service tower to PortMiami — bay views and a five-minute ride to the cruise terminal.
Rooftop pool with full Biscayne Bay views — the best hotel perch in Brickell.
Full-on luxury with an indoor basketball court and a Jim McLean golf studio — yes, really.
Eco-luxury done right — four pools, a private beach, and the best adults-only rooftop on the sand.
The classic big South Beach resort — huge pool scene, direct beach access, walk to everything.
South-of-Fifth location — the quiet, food-obsessed end of South Beach, steps from Joe's Stone Crab.
If your trip is beach-first, choose South Beach — you'll be on the sand and in the Art Deco scene. If you're cruising from PortMiami, mixing work with leisure, or want a skyline-and-bay city feel, Brickell is the better base.
The cruise port. Brickell is 5–10 minutes from PortMiami but about 15–20 minutes from the South Beach sand. South Beach is the opposite: on the beach, but 20–30 minutes from the terminal.
It varies by season and property, but Brickell often runs slightly lower for comparable quality, especially on weekends when the business crowd thins. South Beach peaks hardest during Art Basel and spring break.