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The most expensive destinations in Florida

Updated: March 8, 2018

Delray Beach has earned the title of most expensive Florida destination. A recent survey from MiamiHotels.org found that the southeast coastal city will cost more for an overnight stay this late winter than any other destination in the state.

In determining the rankings, the survey put 30 popular Floridian destinations side by side for comparison. Because it represents the high season for most of the Sunshine State’s beach destinations, the time period of February and March 2018 was chosen as the comparative basis.

The survey found that visitors to Delray Beach will shell out an average of $324 nightly—6.5% more than the second-place finisher. Visitors should note that the survey excluded hotels with less than a 3-star rating, as well as those that were not in close proximity to the beach/city center. Rounding out the survey’s Top 3 are Sanibel and Fort Myers Beach. Average nightly rates this February and March for both locations are coming in at just over $300.

Slipping this year is Key West. Two years ago when the same survey was conducted, the popular island city landed in the top spot. This year, it ranks fourth most expensive at an average rate of $284 per night. The least expensive destination on the survey, Panama City Beach, also dropped substantially in price since the last survey was undertaken. Two years ago, a late winter overnight stay in Panama City Beach cost an average of $146. In contrast, the same least expensive double room is now going for $107 nightly. That price tag represents a 26.7% decrease.

The following table compares rates of 30 popular destinations in Florida. The rates indicated reflect the average rate for the cheapest available double room (minimum 3-star hotel) at each locale for the time period spanning February 1 through March 31, 2018.
  1. Delray Beach $324
  2. Sanibel $303
  3. Fort Myers Beach $302
  4. Key West $284
  5. Downtown Miami $254
  6. Sarasota $253
  7. Boca Raton $246
  8. Pompano Beach $229
  9. Key Largo $224
  10. Islamorda $224
  11. Naples $221
  12. Tampa $194
  13. West Palm Beach $194
  14. St. Pete Beach $184
  15. St. Petersburg $184
  16. St. Augustine $181
  17. Clearwater Beach $181
  18. Downtown Orlando $181
  19. Cocoa Beach $178
  20. Fort Lauderdale Beach $176
  21. Hollywood $174
  22. Miami Beach $157
  23. Jacksonville $147
  24. Daytona Beach $146
  25. Pensacola $144
  26. Lakeland $124
  27. Tallahassee $124
  28. Gainesville $119
  29. Orlando (Walt Disney) $112
  30. Panama City Beach $107


About the Methodology

The survey was conducted in January 2018. For 30 main destinations in Florida, the price for the cheapest available double room (minimum 3-star hotel) was established for each Wednesday to Sunday period occurring during the months of February and March. A resulting daily average was then established for each destination. Only hotels located close to the city center/beach were considered. Please note: A few popular destinations in Northern Florida (Destin, Fort Walton Beach) have not been considered by this survey because they reach their high season during the summer months.

Press Contact

Diane Muller, press@miamihotels.org, Phone: 1-805-308-9660
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