Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club

The hotel sits at 9101 Collins Avenue in Surfside — a small, residential enclave of the Miami Beaches, roughly 5.7 miles north of South Beach and 13 miles from Downtown Miami. The Bal Harbour Shops are a 16-minute walk. Miami International Airport is 23 minutes by car. Surfside's beach is consistently quieter and less crowded than the South Beach strip, which is a primary draw for guests who want ocean access without the scene. Those wanting South Beach nightlife or restaurants can reach it in 15 minutes.

The Surf Club opened on New Year's Eve 1930, originally conceived by Harvey Firestone as a private members' club and oceanfront retreat. Over the following decades, it hosted Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, Winston Churchill, Cary Grant, and practically every significant cultural figure of the mid-20th century. Pritzker Prize-winning architect Richard Meier designed the modern additions that now house the hotel, while Parisian interior architect Joseph Dirand — working on his first US commission — designed the interiors and spa. The result is a conversation between the original 1930s structure and clean-lined contemporary architecture, executed in a way that feels considered rather than jarring.

The spa and wellness centre covers 15,000 square feet. The spa itself has six interior treatment rooms — all floor-to-ceiling windowed with natural light and ocean or garden views — plus two private Spa Cabana Suites positioned directly at the water's edge. The wet facilities include a private Turkish hammam, steam room, and sauna. A Tea Lounge and Relaxation Room with private ocean-view alcoves functions as the pre- and post-treatment retreat space. Open daily 9 am–8 pm.

The treatment philosophy draws on globally-sourced traditions: Ayurvedic practice, Middle Eastern hammam rituals, and European precision skincare via Biologique Recherche (a French brand rarely available in the US — this spa was the first Four Seasons in the Americas to carry it), Susanne Kaufmann from the Austrian Alps, Pharmos Natur's organic aloe treatments, and Elemental Herbology from the UK. The Kobido facial, offered by Kinga Long — one of only four practitioners in the United States certified directly by Grandmaster Dr. Shogo Mochizuki — is arguably the spa's most distinctive single treatment, combining 48 ancient Japanese percussive massage techniques with infrared mat relaxation. The Guest Healers programme brings in rotating visiting specialists for modalities unavailable on the menu elsewhere. Book Kobido and Guest Healer appointments well in advance.

The two Spa Cabana Suites sit directly at the beach perimeter, offering absolute privacy and an immediate ocean connection that the indoor rooms — despite their windows — can't replicate. They're designed for couples or guests who want a more immersive, private experience. Ideal for couples' treatments or extended sessions that move between treatment and outdoor relaxation.

These are fundamentally different propositions. Carillon is a 70,000-square-foot medical wellness resort with cryotherapy, float tanks, Board-Certified physicians, and 75+ weekly fitness classes — built for guests whose primary goal is deep wellness immersion, ideally over multiple days. The Surf Club spa is 15,000 square feet of beautifully curated intimacy — for guests who want a prestige treatment experience in an architecturally remarkable setting without clinical undertones. Carillon overwhelms in scope; The Surf Club rewards in precision and atmosphere.

The hotel has fewer than 80 rooms — an unusually small count for a luxury resort of this calibre. Every room features Joseph Dirand custom furnishings, floor-to-ceiling windows, marble bathrooms, and Egyptian cotton linens. Most have balconies with ocean or city views. The five Cabana Bungalows on historic Cabana Row sit on the second floor of the original club building, each with private balconies and direct access to the pool and beach areas. The Marybelle Suite — named after the yacht on which Harvey Firestone first discovered this stretch of coast — has three bedrooms, a private rooftop pool and terrace, and panoramic sunset views. Select suites include gourmet kitchenettes.

Three options, all strong. Le Sirenuse Miami is the Amalfi-inspired restaurant and bar, a sister to La Sponda at the original Le Sirenuse in Positano — rated among the best Italian restaurants in South Florida; the Champagne Bar attached is genuinely one of the more elegant spots in the Miami Beaches for an evening drink. The Surf Club Restaurant is Thomas Keller's operation on the property, a destination in its own right and a reason alone to book a night in Surfside. Lido Restaurant and Terrace covers poolside casual from breakfast through dinner.

Yes — a Kids Club runs a dedicated programme including sandcastle contests, beach picnics, DVDs, and age-appropriate welcome gifts. The hotel's 9-acre estate and relatively uncrowded pools and beach mean children have space. That said, the atmosphere skews toward couples and discerning leisure travellers — it's never a boisterous resort.

Two Michelin Keys (hotel recognition programme, awarded to exceptional hotels), inclusion in the World's 50 Best Hotels list, and consistent placement on Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure best hotel rankings. Multiple reviewers describe it as the finest hotel in Miami, citing its combination of historic resonance, service, and design.

With under 80 rooms, the property maintains an uncrowded feel even at full occupancy. Guests consistently note they could always find pool and beach space — a notable contrast to larger Miami Beach properties. The Surfside beach itself is also significantly quieter than South Beach.

The hotel provides complimentary bicycles and custom electric MOKEs for neighbourhood exploration. Valet parking is available at ~$42/day. House car service is available for nearby transfers. Bal Harbour Shops, a 16-minute walk, is the obvious nearby draw. South Beach restaurants and nightlife are 15 minutes by taxi.

Yes — spa treatments are open to non-staying guests. The beach, pool, and fitness centre are exclusively reserved for hotel guests. Non-resident spa visitors should use the third driveway entrance for valet.

Autumn (September–November) and early spring (April–May) offer the best balance of weather, beach conditions, and price. Peak winter runs December through March, when rates climb steeply and the property is at its busiest — though still uncrowded by Miami Beach standards. Summer brings heat and humidity but some of the lowest rates available.