In Miami, it pays to seek out alternative accommodation options in a place where posh hotel penthouse suites can soar upwards of $30,000 a night. Not only can you save a few—make that many—bucks by checking into an Airbnb in Miami, but you’ll also be able to experience the city’s neighborhoods the way that locals do, beyond the glitz and glam of the tourist epicenter at South Beach.
If you haven’t been to Miami in a minute, the first thing you’ll notice is how much the area has grown up. Culture abounds: The (free) Institute of Contemporary Art Miami opened in 2017 in the Design District, while the funky young Nu Deco Ensemble bills itself as a chamber orchestra for the 21st century. The food scene is better than ever. Ghee Indian Kitchen, with two locations in the Design District and Kendall, has changed people’s perceptions of what Indian food can be. Ariete in Coconut Grove showcases talented chef Michael Beltran’s interpretation of modern American food through his Cuban lens. And it’s a lot easier to suss out these types of locals’ favorite places when you’re staying in those neighborhoods and not sequestered in some touristy hotel.
From a tree house on an urban farm in Little Haiti to a studio in artsy Wynwood, here are some of the coolest and most comfortable Airbnbs in Miami right now:
1. Colorful Studio in Wynwood
- Book Now: From $205 per night, airbnb.com
- Neighborhood: Wynwood
- Sleeps: 2
This spacious loft-like studio (pictured above) is located in the heart of Miami’s Wynwood Arts District. Its modern kitchen and oversized balcony make it ideal for extended stays for solo travelers or couples. Guest reviews rave over the central location in hip Wynwood, which is home to top galleries, world-class street art, and must-try restaurants like Kyu, serving wood-fired Asian-inspired cuisine.
Set on a permaculture farm in Little Haiti, this atypical tree house hideaway offers a unique Miami retreat.
Courtesy of Airbnb
2. Tree House Hideaway
- Book Now: From $100 per night, airbnb.com
- Neighborhood: Little Haiti
- Sleeps: 2
Located on a working permaculture farm in Little Haiti, this tree house canopy, built into a large pithecellobium tree, is equipped with a double bed; there’s a separate bathroom, set at the ground level, just a few steps away. You can watch goats, roosters, and emus roaming about the property, or take part in volleyball games with the farm’s volunteers on weekends. Fair warning: The tree house features an outdoor shower, shared kitchen (albeit with super-fresh eggs!), no air-conditioning, and—due to the potential height dangers—no children are allowed.
Pile up to 15 friends in this 8-bedroom beach house in the posh Venetian Islands.
Courtesy of Airbnb
3. Waterfront Villa Venetia
- Book Now: From $6,500 per night, airbnb.com
- Neighborhood: Miami Beach
- Sleeps: 15
Villa Venetia is an eight-bedroom, six-and-a-half-bath dream house in the posh Venetian Islands, situated on Biscayne Bay between South Beach and downtown Miami. Up to 15 guests can sleep here; chill in the home’s pool, Jacuzzi, and sauna; or relax in the theater-like entertainment center or over a game of billiards. “A lot of memories made in this spot,” one reviewer noted, but be prepared to shell out: Those memories come with a hefty price tag.
Lush landscaping surrounds this private cottage escape in Miami’s popular Coconut Grove neighborhood.
Courtesy of Airbnb
4. Bohemian Retreat for Two
- Book Now: From $137 per night, airbnb.com
- Neighborhood: Coconut Grove
- Sleeps: 2
Surrounded by lush landscaping, including a koi pond, this private cottage, which oozes a ’70s-era hippie vibe with bamboo window treatments and A-frame ceilings, supplies a quiet retreat in the heart of Coconut Grove, one of Miami’s best dining and shopping neighborhoods (located a few miles south of downtown). Guests note that it’s “super clean and charming,” and an on-site pool provides a cool escape from Miami’s heat.
This modern South Beach penthouse apartment is just a five-minute bike ride from the beach.
Courtesy of Airbnb
5. South Beach Penthouse
- Book Now: From $213 per night, airbnb.com
- Neighborhood: South Beach
- Sleeps: 4
If you’re keen on the South Beach scene, we’ll throw in this one for good measure. This one-bedroom penthouse apartment features midcentury-inspired decor and access to the building’s rooftop pool. Rain shower–equipped bathrooms, a kitchenette, and a washer and dryer in the unit make for comfortable stays. Located one block from Biscayne Bay, this rental is just a five-minute bike ride to Ocean Drive and the beach (there’s a CitiBike dock located right on the corner of the building).
This article was originally published in 2018; it was updated most recently on June 8, 2023, to include current information.
