When considering a luxury holiday, Florida does not immediately spring to mind, its luxury stays, Michelin starred restaurants, arts and culture, and boutique shopping are often overshadowed by rollercoasters and the more conspicuous nature and wildlife. Globetrotters looking for their next holiday could treat themselves and find three Michelin Keys in the Florida Keys, swap the swamps for spas, and cartoon characters for heritage brands.  

Where to stay: 

Florida is home to 23 hotels that have been awarded Michelin Keys including the Little Palm Island Resort & Spa in the Keys, which received three Keys in September 2024. The resort is one of less than a hundred hotels in the world that have been recognised as such. It is America’s only private island resort and visitors can arrive by seaplane or the resorts very own private boat. A resort that prioritises a thorough escape by keeping televisions, and telephones out of both guests’ rooms and public areas, and where ringing phones are frowned upon, the people at Little Palm Island ensure every guest reaches the height of relaxation. 

Book into the two key Four Seasons at the Surf Club in Miami Beach for a city stay. The hotel has played host to Hollywood royalty such as Elizabeth Taylor, Joan Crawford, and Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack. A Jazz Age darling, it was redeveloped under the vision of award-winning architect Richard Meier and interior designer Joseph Dirand, opening in 2017. For something luxurious and laid back, the Marquesa at Key West is full of old-world charm situated in the historic Old Town and a short walk from the Hemingway Home and Museum. 

What to do: 

Holiday makers looking for rest and relaxation should look no further than the spa, wellness, and therapy that Florida has to offer. From retail therapy at Bal Harbour Shops, Miami, to Vita Vie Retreat, whose private retreat at the Seagate Hotel in Delray Beach is specially tailored to their guest’s goals and requirements, Florida has many exclusive and high-end experiences to offer for visitors. 2025 marks the 60th anniversary of the opening of Bal Harbour Shops and the 5th anniversary of its expansion to accommodate a long waiting list of coveted luxury brands. It maximises the exclusivity of luxury shopping through Bal Harbour Shops Access Pop-up, which hosts a curated group of revolving fashion, jewellery, and lifestyle brands. Vita Vie have been curating revitalising wellness experiences for almost 20 years. Their comprehensive four pillars approach ensures that guests are properly nurtured through activity, sleep, mindfulness, and health-conscious food decisions. 

For a professionally informed wellness retreat that looks to inspire longevity, the recently opened Amrit Ocean Resort hosts them on a monthly basis. The resort’s name means “elixir of life” in Sanskrit, highlighting their commitment to guests’ health. The first of these are guided by psychiatrist and brain scientist Dr. Srini Pillay and nutritional psychiatrist and professional chef Dr. Uma Naidoo, both of whom qualified from Harvard.  

What to eat:

Florida is home to 26 Michelin starred restaurants that host a range of cuisines including Peruvian at Papa Llama and French L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon Miami, which holds two Michelin stars. Papa Llama in Orlando features elevated Peruvian cuisine on a family-style menu by a husband-and-wife duo accompanied by an impressive natural wine selection. Also in Orlando, Natsu is an intimate space that only hosts two seatings of ten diners a night. Guests are seated at the counter for an omakase hosted by Chef Stone Lin who has 15 years of experience in Japanese cuisine. L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon Miami remains loyal to its Parisian roots whilst drawing on the sleek and upscale Design District elevating simple dishes with unrivalled techniques, creativity, and the finest ingredients. The Tampa based Lilac showcases Florida-focused ingredients with classical French techniques to create a modern four-course Mediterranean inspired menu, demonstrating the height of luxury service with its tableside champagne cocktail cart.

Earlier this month, the Michelin Guide announced that it will be expanding its selection in Florida by adding three new destinations in the state, which includes Fort Lauderdale, the Palm Beaches, and St. Pete-Clearwater. 

ENDS

For a 7-night luxury stay in Miami and Palm Beach, visit Ocean Florida’s website to avail of the below offer for May 2026:

  • 2 nights at The Breakers Palm Beach

  • 5 nights at Fontainebleau Miami

  • Direct British Airways flights from London Heathrow to Miami

  • £2649 per person based on 2 people sharing 

For more information, including high-res images, please contact:

Hannah Mulvey: Hannah@goshpr.co.uk

Itziar Urra:  Itzi@goshpr.co.uk 

David Gray: David@goshpr.co.uk

 

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VISIT FLORIDA is the Sunshine State’s official tourism marketing corporation and travel planning resource for visitors across the globe. As Florida’s No. 1 industry, tourism was responsible for welcoming over 140.6 million visitors in 2023, the highest number of visitors in the state’s history. VISIT FLORIDA promotes tourism through sales, advertising, promotions, public relations and visitor services programs, and works with travel industry partners throughout the state. To learn more about VISIT FLORIDA, follow @FloridaTourism on X, connect on LinkedIn, or go to visitflorida.org. For inspiration in the Sunshine State follow @VISITFLORIDA on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or visit www.visitflorida.com. For media resources, visit www.visitfloridamedia.com.