Miami Intercontinental - my two cents

[6502programmer]

Loved it. 1.5 thumbs up. The only downside was the breakfast at the property. We booked through LMT, and got the $100 deal on Black Friday! We arrived right around noon, after flying in from MIA.

 

During check in, we were offered the $30 view upgrade, which was totally worth it. I loved watching the ships leave before we left for dinner, and enjoyed waking up to see our ship waiting for us! If you do stay there, and especially if you got the LMT deal, spring for the harbor view room. you will NOT regret it. I loved being able to point to the cabin we would be walking into in five hours!

 

For lunch, we stayed close by. We wandered down to a place called "Stoupsy's of Athens". Because it was Black Friday, I'm assuming the place was a bit quieter than normal, but I could see a line out the door on an average weekday at lunch time. We both had the Gyro platter, which for $9 was a pretty good bargain. After lunch, we headed back for a nap.

 

Around 5, after watching the ships head out, we walked ten minutes to Bayside. It was a total tourist trap, but the pizza at Lombardi's was something we definitely enjoyed. The calamari was underwhelming, but the pizza made up for it.

 

The walk was made exciting by some sort of kerfuffle in Bayfront park, located squarely between the hotel and Bayside. Some sort of investigation was taking place, which required the famous Miami CSI's involvement. Sadly, they were all driving "conventional" vehicles, rather than Hummers, so I didn't feel too bad about having forgotten the camera in our room.

 

After a very restful evening, I woke up to the sight of four ships in port, the Century included! Excitedly, we went down to breakfast in the hotel. The meal was overpriced, even by hotel standards. $4.50 for a cup of coffee that was burnt beyond recognition was insulting, especially with a Starbucks located within the hotel lobby.

 

All in all, enjoyed the stay. It was a wonderful hotel with a nice location. I don't know that I'd spend $200-$300 for it, but for $100 it may not be the cheapest, but it's definitely a bargain!

[JohninDC]

Thanks for the feedback! Hope you had a great cruise. :)

[Smoke Fan]

Appreciate the review 6502 - We'll be staying at the Intercontinental one week from today and will request the room upgrade. We also got a great deal on LMT. Planned on breakfast at Starbucks, at least you know what your getting for the $$. Hope you enjoyed your cruise. We love Century!

[bobmal99]

I got the same deal for next week also

at the Intercontinental. Can't

wait to get to Miami and then the caribbean...

[OSUKNIGHT]

Don't pay for an upgraded view. Just ask for a room with a view of the port. If available, they will give it to you. I did.

[Smoke Fan]

Don't pay for an upgraded view. Just ask for a room with a view of the port. If available, they will give it to you. I did.

Thanks for the tip!!!:):)

[sunlovinchick]

I was just there this week, I asked for a room with a view of the port, and they told me that would be $20 more. I kept the city view.

[Ontario cruise duo]

I was just there this week, I asked for a room with a view of the port, and they told me that would be $20 more. I kept the city view.

 

It's definitely $20 well spent. Just the view alone. Something nice to look at. Splurge... you deserve it... when will you be in Miami next... THAT'S THE WAY I LOOK AT IT!!!:p

[sunlovinchick]

I was only in the room to sleep, I didn't feel it was worth the extra money.

[2cruzerz]

Thanks for your input, we will be in this hotel on the 9th & 10th of Dec...we just called the hotel today to verify reservations and we upgraded for the $30 for the water view - we only paid $84 a night for the room so the $30 is well worth it!

[bobmal99]

I will be there on the 10th also. Will probably pay for the upgrade

if they don't offer it. Will be cool to watch the ships come in in the AM..

[Ontario cruise duo]

Thanks for your input, we will be in this hotel on the 9th & 10th of Dec...we just called the hotel today to verify reservations and we upgraded for the $30 for the water view - we only paid $84 a night for the room so the $30 is well worth it!

 

We we're just there in November. At that time the upgrade was only $20.00. Have they increased it since then?

[patseacruiser]

For me personally I'm only there to sleep. Grab the bus and go to South Beach - great. Also there is a 'fast food' chicken place - Pollo Tropical about 2 blocks away - the best fried plantains. Starbucks has free wifi and opens at 6 am.

[sunlovinchick]

The upgrade was $20 when I was there last week.

[Bars7816]

Funny the view charge has gone up from $20 to $30 just since Nov 5th. The view was the only redeeming feature of the IC.

 

I wish they cared about their customers as much as they do about the lobby greenery. As we waited 4 hours for rooms, we watched a plant company with a crew of 5 to 7 people dusting and rearranging plants for most of that time. They were still working when we finally got our rooms.

[6502programmer]

Don't pay for an upgraded view. Just ask for a room with a view of the port. If available, they will give it to you. I did.

I asked for a view of the port, and was told that it was a $30 upcharge. I asked quite politely, "Is a room with a view of the port available", which was met with the upgrade offer. I knew I was checking in early (12p), that there was miscommunication regarding one or two beds, and that we were arriving the day after Thanksgiving, so I was happy to be accommodated, and didn't want to push the issue.

[nhraformula00]

We were there on sat after Thanksgiving,asked for room with a view and got the bay view for no charge.Can't beat it for under 100$.

[zebraman1]

How do you get rates like that ($100) at the IC? We'll be there on Feb 5 and can't find anything under at least $210. Would appreciate the help. Thanks

[DJ56]

Tried out Last Minute Travel for this hotel for May of 2011 and I was able to punch in 5 stars and a price came up. Got all excited!! Then tried it again tonight and it said no hotels for that date. Does that seem right? Hopefully I can try it again and then will immediately book it. Has this ever happened to anyone else?? I was so excited and now I am let down...:(

[dabucs]

Nice hotel...just FYI...they charge for parking.

[Cubuff1]

What is the charge for parking at the IC, and does anybody know if there is a public parking structure or street parking nearby?

[DJ56]

Nice hotel...just FYI...they charge for parking.

 

NO vehicle!!

[BlueHerons]

I wish they cared about their customers as much as they do about the lobby greenery. As we waited 4 hours for rooms, we watched a plant company with a crew of 5 to 7 people dusting and rearranging plants for most of that time. They were still working when we finally got our rooms.

 

The indoor plants are leased and taken care of by the company that owns them. The hotel employees do not handle the indoor landscaping.

[Why Knot Me]

How do you get rates like that ($100) at the IC? We'll be there on Feb 5 and can't find anything under at least $210. Would appreciate the help. Thanks

 

I'm looking for Jan. 21 and the price is $167. Another poster explained the difference is that we are trying to book the IC in high season.

[jerseygirl3]

While I love the IC Miami, I would never eat breakfast there. Across the street at Bayside there is a restaurant called The Latin American Cafe, and they open for breakfast at 7 a.m.

 

Jo-Ann