Hotel suggestions for pre cruise in Miami

[bluehorizonlover123]

Please give me some suggestions for a hotel stay pre cruise in Miami that is reasonably priced. Is the Embassy Suites OK??

[TrentS]

Embassy Suites MIA is at the airport, and not one of their better properties.

 

Most people prefer to stay downtown near the Port of Miami and Bayside Marketplace... http://www.baysidemarketplace.com/

 

Popular/reasonably priced downtown Miami hotels that I would recommend...

 

Intercontinental (closest to Bayside Marketplace)... http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ic/1/en/hd/miaha?irs=null

 

Biscayne Bay Marriott (SE rooms have the best view of the ships/port)... http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/miabb

 

Hyatt Regency... http://miamiregency.hyatt.com/property/index.jhtml

 

JW Marriott (VERY nice, my personal favorite, great AAA/CAA rates)... http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/miajw

[bluehorizonlover123]

Trent - Thank you so much for all your suggestions. They were all too expensive for my tastes for just one night. Running around $300 per night. I found the Holiday Inn at the Port of Miami to be much more cost effective but I am wondering if this hotel is kept up OK and if the area is safe to walk around in during the evening. The price there is one third of what it would be at the Intercontinental, Marriott, Hyatt and JW Marriott (which I love by the way). But for one night I don't need the best, just a clean place to stay. So what do you think?? I look forward to your reply as these reservations are not 100% refundable. They keep a fee even if you do decide to cancel. Thanks a bunch.

[TrentS]

Lots of very mixed reviews on that Holiday Inn, personally I wouldn't stay there, but I'm very picky so that may not mean much. Here's a recent thread about it... http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=165969

 

The Holiday Inn is directly across the street from the entrace to Bayside Marketplace, and it's safe enough to walk across to that, but you wouldn't want to wander into the back streets at night.

[CPT Trips]

by the airport was just fine for us a few weeks ago. Well under $100 on the web. Shuttle service to and from airport, but I don't know the cost of a taxi to port. A good cuban restaraunt is right across the street.

[bluehorizonlover123]

Trent - If you had to chose between the Holiday Inn and the Embassy Suites by the airport which one would you chose. I am wondering what your thoughts on these 2 properties would be. Are there any restaurants near Embassy Suites to eat dinner at also. Let me know.

[TrentS]

They seem to be pretty similar in quality, and either one is fine for one night. Personally, I'd much prefer to be downtown and go to Bayside Marketplace in the evening rather than stuck out by the airport.

 

There's a Bennigan's next to the airport Embassy Suites, but that's about it. There are many different restaurants at Bayside Marketplace.

[mathgal]

You might want to call the Holiday Inn Marina Park directly and inquire about their Sail Away package. For $99 you get a room, breakfast and your choice of a bayside tourist cruise or drinks. This price is fully refundable if you change your mind.

[bsdmhutch]

I got a room today at the Fairfield Inn Miami Airport West for December 7th for about $100. This includes shuttle from airport, to pier and bfast. I read some pretty good reviews from a few people over on the Carnival board + some others on another site. We were having problems finding a decent hotel (not luxury) for under $150 in December. I've heard others though getting better prices on luxury type hotels at different times of the year. Guess people like to go to Miami when it is cold other places:rolleyes: .

[4merlurker]

We booked the Embassy suites Miami AP for this November. It's only for one night and they offer free full breakfast in the morning........big plus for my family of 5!! Not too mention free cocktails and snacks in the evening!! Another big plus. They also have a shuttle from the airport and cab fare to the port is only $18/cab or you can pay $7-9/person for their shuttle to the port.

 

Paid $61 on Hotwire. I think it's a great deal for 1 night. (Wouldn't stay there on "vacation" though :cool: )

[Cruisin Dave]

DW and I booked the Hyatt Regency downtown in October through Priceline for $57. I thought that was a bargain.

[CaliPhil]

My wife and I are sailing on the Valor 6/26. We used priceline and booked the Miami Hyatt for two nights before our cruise $56 per night, we also booked the Holiday Inn South Beach Resort for the two nights after our cruise $40 per night