Miami Beach Hotels Capitalize on Stranded Travelers

Snowstorm up north forces guests to extend stays, boosting local hospitality industry

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Travelers stranded in Miami Beach due to a winter storm up north are filling local hotels, turning their extended stays into unexpected vacations. Hotel owners and staff are benefiting from the increased business, with guests spending more time and money at the hotels rather than exploring other South Beach attractions.

Why it matters

The influx of stranded travelers is a boon for Miami Beach's hospitality industry, which relies heavily on tourism. The extended stays provide a much-needed economic boost during a typically slower season, as guests are forced to spend more on accommodations, dining, and other services.

The details

Derek Powers, a guest at The Betsy Hotel on Ocean Drive, is hoping to fly back to Boston tomorrow, but the frigid weather may keep him stuck in South Beach for another day. Hotel owner Jonathan Plutzik says guests forced to extend their stays are spending more time and money at the hotel, rather than exploring other South Beach businesses. The hotel's chef, Laurent Tourondel, was also stranded in Miami after his flight was rerouted from New York, but he's making the most of the situation, saying the extended stays have kept the restaurant busy and staff earning more money.

  • Travelers started arriving in Miami Beach as a major snowstorm hit the northern United States.

The players

Derek Powers

A guest at The Betsy Hotel on Ocean Drive who is hoping to fly back to Boston but may be stuck in South Beach for another day due to the winter storm.

Jonathan Plutzik

The owner of The Betsy Hotel on Ocean Drive, who says guests forced to extend their stays are spending more time and money at the hotel.

Laurent Tourondel

The chef at The Betsy Hotel, who was also stranded in Miami after his flight was rerouted from New York, but is making the most of the situation and says the extended stays have kept the restaurant busy and staff earning more money.

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What they’re saying

“Not yet, but it will be, I'm sure.”

— Derek Powers, Guest at The Betsy Hotel

“Love this place—one of my favorites.”

— Derek Powers, Guest at The Betsy Hotel

“They actually don't have expansive plans. They're just looking to kill a couple of days. So it probably keeps them a little closer to their hotel during those extra days.”

— Jonathan Plutzik, Owner of The Betsy Hotel

“It makes the restaurant busy. The staff makes more money, the restaurant makes more money, so everyone's happy.”

— Laurent Tourondel, Chef at The Betsy Hotel

What’s next

The winter storm is expected to continue impacting travel in the coming days, potentially leading to more extended stays and increased business for Miami Beach hotels.

The takeaway

The influx of stranded travelers has provided a much-needed economic boost for Miami Beach's hospitality industry, highlighting the importance of tourism to the local economy and the resilience of the industry in the face of unexpected challenges.