Florida is one of the most popular getaways in the U.S., and for good reason. The aptly named “Sunshine State” has an incredible diversity of beaches, attractions, and unique cities suitable for all types of travelers. Add to that the mild winters and beach-perfect summers, and it is no surprise millions of visitors flock to Florida each year.
From the funky, laid-back Florida keys to the flashy shores of Miami Beach — Florida really has it all. Florida tourists are overwhelmed with choices, but one metric that often helps travelers decide where to go is price. That is why the travel experts at cheaphotels.org dug into their data to determine the cheapest and most expensive hotel rates across the state.
The Biggest Travel Expense
Accommodation often takes the biggest bite out of a traveler’s expenses. In fact, average hotel rates in Florida have increased by nearly 20% since 2018. Flights, dining out, activities, and shopping can all add up as well, but the recurring nightly cost of a hotel stay is typically the biggest expense. Whether you are looking for a destination with more cheap hotel options or are willing to spend more for a higher-end destination, this list can help point you in the right direction.
What Was Included In The Data?
To compile the data, cheaphotels.org looked at hotel rates for 30 popular destinations across the state. They compared hotel rates for February 2023 – March 2023, and only hotels close to the beach or downtown areas were considered. Additionally, only double rooms in hotels that are rated a minimum of 3 stars were considered.
15 Most Expensive Florida Destinations
At $430/night, Marco Island came in as the Florida destination with the highest hotel rates for the February – March period. This sunny island off the coast of Naples is located just north of Everglades National Park and has some incredible mangrove estuaries to explore. Additionally, Marco Island is a popular beach, golf, and fishing destination.
Marco Island is officially the destination with the most expensive average hotel prices, but Sarasota and West Palm Beach aren’t far behind. In fact, prices in Sarasota have increased by 59% since 2018, while West Palm Beach has seen an outrageous 63% increase.
Without further ado, here is the list of the 15 most expensive destinations, along with their average nightly hotel prices.
- Marco Island $439
- Sarasota $435
- West Palm Beach $425
- Sanibel Island $387
- Key West $375
- Delray Beach $354
- Naples $350
- Pompano Beach $344
- Key Largo $276
- St. Pete Beach $273
- Islamorada $268
- Fort Myers Beach $265
- Cocoa Beach $245
- Clearwater Beach $245
- Tampa $236
15 Least Expensive Florida Destinations
Kissimmee ranked as the destination with the cheapest hotel rates. With an average cost of $94/night, visitors to Kissimmee will have more money left for theme parks – the most popular activity for visitors in the area. Kissimmee is in close proximity to Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World, and other theme parks, and is a great base for exploring the Orlando area. Comparatively, hotels in Downtown Orlando, which is just 30 miles away, average $91/night more than Kissimmee.
Notably, Downtown Miami and Panama City Beach are two Florida destinations that saw an overall decrease in hotel rates since 2018. At $185/night and $103/night, respectively, they are more than 50% cheaper than the most expensive beach destinations.
Below is the list of the least expensive destinations, along with the average nightly cost for a hotel stay:
- Kissimmee $94
- Panama City Beach $103
- Tallahassee $145
- Fort Walton Beach $150
- Miramar Beach $154
- Jacksonville $170
- Daytona Beach $174
- Pensacola Beach $176
- Hollywood $184
- Miami Beach $185
- Downtown Orlando $185
- Fort Lauderdale $205
- Downtown Miami $224
- St. Augustine $226
- St. Petersburg $230
No matter where you choose to stay in Florida, your vacation is sure to be a welcome one in this wonderful escape from the cold weather. Florida hosts a wealth of options both in accommodation and vacation style, be sure to research what fits the needs of your trip most when deciding where to stay.
