Living in paradise as we do here in Florida, you don't have to go too far for the perfect shot and these are the 5 most popular places in Florida on Instagram.
We've all heard the phrase "do it for the 'gram". You see the perfect backdrop, a delicious looking meal, a cocktail that looks better than it might taste. And we all take the pics. And then we post on Instagram. It's a new trend at restaurants, bars, coffee shops, etc. to have backgrounds set up specifically for those Instagram pics. Luckily for us here in Florida, there are so many great places to get those shots that will make you the envy of all your friends.
From my house in Fort Myers, the beach is just a few minutes away, and there's no better background for pictures than beautiful water and palm trees. But there's plenty of other places in Florida, other than the beach, that make for great places for pics for the 'gram.
Most Popular Places In Florida On Instagram
BonusFinder put together list of the most Instagrammed places in Florida. They compared over 2,700 popular locations across the country to find the perfect photo ops based on the number of hashtags each has. The list not only makes for good photos, but could give you some ideas if you're looking for a new place to explore as well. Some of the places on the list may make perfect sense and you see them in your feed all the time.
Here are the top 5 in Florida:
- Everglades National Park
- Wynwood Walls
- Walt Disney World Resort (I'm surprised this isn't #1!)
- SeaWorld Orlando
- John F. Kennedy Space Center
Here's one of my own at Disney:
Here are the top 5 in the U.S.:
- Central Park, NY
- Broadway, NY
- Times Square NY
- Yosemite National Park
- Grand Canyon National Park
You can check out the full list here
Florida has some amazing hotels, some of the best hotels in the USA, and I have been to many of them. Here in Estero I stayed at the Coconut Point Hyatt. In Naples I've been at both Ritz Carltons. The Seminole Casino Hotel in Immokalee has suites on the top floor that are just amazing.
Outside of Southwest Florida, my favorite in Orlando is The Animal Kingdom Lodge at Disney. The place is so amazing you'll not even care if you make it to the park. I've stayed at the legendary Fontainebleau on Miami's South Beach, but I'd put them second behind the Junior Suites at W South Beach. That felt more like a luxury apartment that it did a hotel room.
So did any of those hotels make the top 25? No, they did not. Not that they aren't amazing in every way, but Florida is just on top of things when it comes to luxury accommodations. That's why they show up so often on these lists. As Zach Watson, senior travel editor at U.S. News states "The 2024 Best Hotels rankings offer travelers dependable options to stay for every type of trip, balancing location, amenities and quality service to ensure an enjoyable experience."
The Best Hotels in the USA
For the second year in a row, Acqualina Resort & Residences in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, takes the No. 1 spot, setting itself apart with its oceanfront pools, memorable dining and Mediterranean-inspired decor. The beautiful hotel is located on 4.5 beachfront acres in Miami’s Sunny Isles Beach. If you're planning on a stay, maybe check your finances first. The best price I could find for 2 adults was $1,599 a night. That's for a room that doesn't even face the ocean, but, as the website states, breakfast is included. Ok, I'm going to back off on judging that price too soon. The breakfast does look absolutely amazing.
Plus, I took a look ahead to see how much number 2 on the list is charging.
Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club, Surfside, Florida
The Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club in Surfside, Florida. A legendary Miami Beach-area hotel that offers guests stellar service and unique experiences at its world-class spa ranks No. 2. Now keep in mind, we are in full season here in Florida. These are going to be some of the most expensive rates of the year. That being said, I found an oceanfront room on booking.com for $2,720 a night. That view is incredible.
Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort
Always mentioned as one of the best hotels in the country, this Orlando resort takes the number 7 spot. Perhaps what's bringing it down a notch is the construction of a residential development nearby. I did see a "construction discount" on the price, so they're definitely aware of it. It's still a Four Seasons hotel, and it's still amazing.
Faena Hotel Miami Beach
Rounding out the top 10 of the list is the Faena Hotel. US News states "Rooms are decorated in a modern, South American style and come outfitted with sleek wooden furnishings and colorful accents." I did find a room for $1,140 a night, but spring for the extra and get the ocean view and a balcony. Because of the hotel's location, rates will also fluctuate based on events in the area.
The Setai Miami Beach
The Setai Miami Beach finds itself at number 11 on the list. If you enjoy the water, you're in luck. The hotel is not just on Miami Beach, but boasts three on-site infinity pools. I did find a room for $1,080 a night, but expect double that rate if you want the ocean view. This is the ocean view.
The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort
Down a few spots, to number 17, is The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort. This resort, 10 miles north of South Beach has amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean. And being a Marriott hotel, likely boast some of the cool tech like the W South Beach has like automated controls of the lights, blinds, and thermostat. Best price I could find was $1,299 a night but if you know someone who works for Marriott, ask them about the hotel's "friends and family" discount.
The Breakers Palm Beach
Finishing up their top 25 list, at number 25, is The Breakers Palm Beach, an Italian Renaissance-style resort on the coast. if you're looking for an active stay, this is where you'll find it. Two golf courses, four pools, and 10 Har-Tru tennis courts. If you'd rather relax, they have a private beach. So, if you want a top notch resort hotel on the Atlantic, but don't want Miami, here it is. There's also a lot of history, here. I did see Booking.com have a room for $1,290 a night. But again, I'm writing this in February, when rates are usually the highest.
The full list of 25 can be found here.