Miami, 1 night precruise hotel room suggestions

[TrentS]

Tell you what Trent.....if you're ever on a cruise that we're on and I'll buy you a drink for all your advice you've given us. ;)

Oh thanks, but I'm glad to just help... I know it's a little confusing with all the choices if you're not familiar with the area and I try to steer people toward places and areas I know to be decent.

[TrentS]

Oh that's fine Kahhli, but it's only a 15 minute cab ride from MIA to downtown Miami... Personally I would just go on down to the Biscayne Bay Marriott, request a SE view room and in the morning you can look out to a spectacular view of your ship.

 

The airport Marriott is okay, but the Biscayne Bay Marriott is a nicer hotel.

Kahhli... One additional thing I should mention is that if they're using the diagonal runway the MIA airport Marriott is in the flight path. If you're a light sleeper or not used to lots of noise that could be a problem. :eek:

[ruth1964]

According to our invoice we are booked [via Royal Caribbean] to stay in the Hyatt Regency pre-cruise 1 night, arriving quite late. Any advice/thoughts would be grateful, especially about transfer arrangements to the cruise terminal.

 

Additionally we are extending our stay after the cruise flying to Orlando and then returning to Miami to fly home to England.

 

We have reserved a room at the Hampton Inn Miami Airport West. We will be arriving late afternoon, so was not bothered about 'attractions' more just a base and easy transfer to the airport. This hotel offers shuttles from and to the airport. Again any thoughts/advice.

 

Many thanks in advance. :D

[TrentS]

According to our invoice we are booked [via Royal Caribbean] to stay in the Hyatt Regency pre-cruise 1 night, arriving quite late. Any advice/thoughts would be grateful, especially about transfer arrangements to the cruise terminal.

 

Additionally we are extending our stay after the cruise flying to Orlando and then returning to Miami to fly home to England.

 

We have reserved a room at the Hampton Inn Miami Airport West. We will be arriving late afternoon, so was not bothered about 'attractions' more just a base and easy transfer to the airport. This hotel offers shuttles from and to the airport. Again any thoughts/advice.

 

Many thanks in advance. :D

The Hyatt-Regency Royal Caribbean normally uses is the one downtown. It's a nice hotel. I can't help you with the transfer situation though, the hotel doesn't have shuttles, but I'm assuming that you have booked a pre-cruise package through Royal Caribbean? If so they will probably shuttle you to the hotel, and then to the port on cruise day, but you'll have to check with them for details on that, sorry.

 

As for the airport Hampton Inn, I like the Hampton Inn Miami Airport SOUTH... http://www.hamptoninnmiamiairport.com/

 

It's much closer to the airport than airport west, and is a newer, nicer hotel, that also has free airport shuttles.

 

Miami Airport Hilton is also an excellent airport hotel... http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=MIAAHHH

[ruth1964]

I agree that both the suggestions you have made are really good especially Hampton Inn SOUTH - must admit though that went more for the cheaper option as we will be cruised out and disney/universal'd out!! so just wanted a base to crash in....... on reflection though the SOUTH one seems to be within walking distance of some restaurants for the evening [would you advise walking in this area?] whereas my booking at Hampton Inn West might be too remote? We will not have a car....... so will the money we save, minimum $70, be a false economy in the long run?

 

Regarding RCI pre cruise hotel, yes they will collect at airport and take to the hotel and then the next morning shuttle us to the ship..... any thoughts on the actual hotel?

 

Thanks for your prompt reply, :) Ruth.

[TrentS]

There are a few places to eat/shop within walking distance of the Hampton Inn Airport South, and yes, the area is safe enough to walk in. The Hampton Inn Airport West is in Doral, there are several places out there, but you'll probably need a taxi to get to them from the hotel- Nothing is $70 away though! You'll be fine out there if you want to save some money.

 

The Hyatt-Regency downtown is fine. It's a nice hotel, and extremely popular with cruisers. If you're a light sleeper you may want a room that's not on the SE side. The SE side rooms are above a draw bridge with a steel grating that's noisy as cars drive over it. That's the only real "complaint" about the hotel though. The rooms are all nice, but the ones on the other sides are quieter.

 

The Hyatt is a less than 5 minute cab ride from Bayside Marketplace, a nice area downtown to go for dinner and some shopping... http://www.baysidemarketplace.com/

[ruth1964]

Thanks again.

Have checked on 'tripadvisor' too for their ratings/comments and the HamptonInnSOUTH does very well indeed. One user mentioned the fact that she had booked months ahead [like me!] and the price came down closer to her travel date, so she then re-booked at the cheaper rate and cancelled her original booking.

 

This I think is what I will do - keep my original booking for the WEST as it does serve my needs although basic, and if the rates for the SOUTH drop closer to travelling I might consider re-booking.

 

Many thanks for all your help on this..........

Ruth.;)

[SMILING IRISH EYES]

Looking to book 1 night post cruise -April Easter Sunday. Can't decide between the following Downtown hotels- JW Marriott, Intercontinental or Biscayne Bay Marriott anyone better than the next?

Any help is appreciated.

[TrentS]

Looking to book 1 night post cruise -April Easter Sunday. Can't decide between the following Downtown hotels- JW Marriott, Intercontinental or Biscayne Bay Marriott anyone better than the next?

Any help is appreciated.

Of those 3 JW Marriott is the best, it's a wonderful hotel - It would be my choice. It's in a very nice neighborhood, across the street from a Morton's Steakhouse and Gordon Biersch.

 

Intercontinental is very nice, and has the advantage of being within walking distance of Bayside Marketplace if you like going over there... http://www.baysidemarketplace.com/

 

Biscayne Bay Marriott is fine as well, typical Marriott, not quite up to the standards of the first two, but there's nothing wrong with it. It does have the most spectacular views of the Port of Miami from it's SE view rooms.

[ripgrif]

Hello Everyone,

 

Has anyone stayed at the Courtyard Miami Dowtown? I was just wondering if it would be a good place to spend two nights before my cruise.

 

Thanks

[TrentS]

Hello Everyone,

 

Has anyone stayed at the Courtyard Miami Dowtown? I was just wondering if it would be a good place to spend two nights before my cruise.

 

Thanks

Courtyard Downtown Miami is fine... http://www.miamicourtyard.com/

 

It's the nicest of the "less expensive" downtown hotels. It was gutted and converted into a Courtyard in 2003, and is across the street from the Hyatt-Regency, and less than 5 minutes from the Port of Miami and Bayside Marketplace.

[sharkaymon]

We're planning to stay one night in a Miami hotel before taking a 4 day Bahamas cruise on Majesty of the Seas in February. We're making arrangements through Royal Caribbean and not on our own. Our travel agent mentioned several hotels including Radisson Miami, Intercontinental, and Wyndham Grand Bay. We'd appreciate feedback from people who have stayed at any of these hotels. We'd like a hotel that is near a beach (possibly South Beach) and has interesting neighborhoods, shops, or activities nearby. Suggestions for other hotels where you can stay for just one night are also welcome.

Thanks,

Mary

 

The last two time we were in Miami we stayed at the Intercontinental. Excellent location to Bayside Marketplace. The last time I made a bid for it on Priceline and got a beautiful ocean view room for $65.:cool:

[saw1953]

Trent, I have cancelled our reservation at the Holiday Inn (based on your info and TripAdvisor). I have booked The Park Central Hotel (again, based on info on TripAdvisor). Can you tell me anything about this hotel?

[SMILING IRISH EYES]

Of those 3 JW Marriott is the best, it's a wonderful hotel - It would be my choice. It's in a very nice neighborhood, across the street from a Morton's Steakhouse and Gordon Biersch.

 

Intercontinental is very nice, and has the advantage of being within walking distance of Bayside Marketplace if you like going over there... http://www.baysidemarketplace.com/

 

Biscayne Bay Marriott is fine as well, typical Marriott, not quite up to the standards of the first two, but there's nothing wrong with it. It does have the most spectacular views of the Port of Miami from it's SE view rooms.

 

 

Thanks Trent - Looks like it will be the JW Marriott.

[Starz723]

Trent: How is the Holiday Inn port of miami?

 

Im on a tight budget so I would like to know, in your opinion, which would be the best place to stay close to the cruise dock & the market place which is not expensive.

 

I appreciate all answers.

Thank you very much

[TrentS]

Trent, I have cancelled our reservation at the Holiday Inn (based on your info and TripAdvisor). I have booked The Park Central Hotel (again, based on info on TripAdvisor). Can you tell me anything about this hotel?

I haven't been inside the Park Central, so I can't comment on the rooms, but the location is PERFECT! It's right on Ocean Drive, in heart of South Beach... Right in the middle of everything! :)

[TrentS]

Thanks Trent - Looks like it will be the JW Marriott.

Great choice, that's a beautiful hotel!

[TrentS]

Trent: How is the Holiday Inn port of miami?

 

Im on a tight budget so I would like to know, in your opinion, which would be the best place to stay close to the cruise dock & the market place which is not expensive.

 

I appreciate all answers.

Thank you very much

Holiday Inn Port of Miami/Bayside is fine. It's extremely popular with many on here. It's in a great location just across the street from the entrance to the port and Bayside Marketplace... http://www.baysidemarketplace.com/

 

It's an older hotel, and nothing fancy, but clean, and fine for a night. It's great for those on a budget.

[argent nc]

Hi everyone, we're sailing Nov. 6th on the Explorer of the Seas and right now we're planning to fly into Miami the day before. We normally use Travelocity to research and book our flights/hotels, but this time I couldn't get any info on whether the hotels had free shuttles to the pier.

 

Basically, we'd just like a clean place to stay that's not too far from food and such. I doubt we'll have much time for sightseeing.

 

Also, is it feasible to fly back home the same day your cruise gets back into port? Our original plan was to spend the night post-cruise in Miami, but the more we think about it, we'd like to get back to our home and our cats a little faster, if possible.

 

best,

Laura

[CaesarsNcruisin4me]

Do you know anything about the Essex hotel, I believe it is in Southbeach. A couple of people in our group have booked this hotel post cruise (nov 27th) for 2 nights. Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks.

 

Sandie

[ryzmom]

TrentS or Anyone else---

 

How is the Radisson at Biscayne Bay? You mentioned earlier that you stayed there once. Was it nice or just okay? Details please.... you are so awesome with this advice!! Thanks in advance!

[TrentS]

Hi everyone, we're sailing Nov. 6th on the Explorer of the Seas and right now we're planning to fly into Miami the day before. We normally use Travelocity to research and book our flights/hotels, but this time I couldn't get any info on whether the hotels had free shuttles to the pier.

 

Basically, we'd just like a clean place to stay that's not too far from food and such. I doubt we'll have much time for sightseeing.

 

Also, is it feasible to fly back home the same day your cruise gets back into port? Our original plan was to spend the night post-cruise in Miami, but the more we think about it, we'd like to get back to our home and our cats a little faster, if possible.

 

best,

Laura

No, none of the decent hotels that I'm aware of have free shuttles.

 

Yeah, I ALWAYS recommend flying in at least a day early, but flying back the day your ship returns is no problem as long as you don't schedule a flight too early - After 1pm is best, but never before noon.

 

These are all decent downtown hotels, something for every price range...

 

Downtown Miami hotels, closest to the Port of Miami and Bayside Marketplace... http://www.baysidemarketplace.com/

 

JW Marriott... http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/miajw

 

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

 

Intercontinental... http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ic/1/en/hd/miaha?irs=null

 

Biscayne Bay Marriott... http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/miabb

 

Conrad International... http://conradhotels.hilton.com/en/ch/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=MIACICI

 

Four Seasons... http://www.fourseasons.com/miami/index.html

 

Mandarin Oriental... http://www.mandarinoriental.com/hotel/526000001.asp

 

Marriott Courtyard (budget priced)... http://www.miamicourtyard.com/

 

Holiday Inn Bayside/Port of Miami (only for the budget minded)... http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hd/miabb

[TrentS]

Do you know anything about the Essex hotel, I believe it is in Southbeach. A couple of people in our group have booked this hotel post cruise (nov 27th) for 2 nights. Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks.

 

Sandie

Essex House Hotel is in a great location right in the heart of South Beach, but I haven't been in it. It's reviews on Trip Advisor are mixed... http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g34439-d111881-Reviews-Essex_House-Miami_Beach_Florida.html

 

You have to be careful with South Beach hotels for a couple of reasons. Many hotels that call themselves "South Beach" are not in the REAL South Beach, and are too far to walk to anything you think of when you think of South Beach. Most are also very old, the nicer places have been gutted and modernized, but many of the less expensive places haven't been and leave a lot to be desired. The general rule in South Beach is The nice places aren't cheap and the cheap places aren't nice.

[TrentS]

TrentS or Anyone else---

 

How is the Radisson at Biscayne Bay? You mentioned earlier that you stayed there once. Was it nice or just okay? Details please.... you are so awesome with this advice!! Thanks in advance!

It would not be one of my choices. I suppose it's alright if you can get if for a very low price on Priceline, but otherwise there are far better choices IMO (see the list above). It's a short cab ride to the port, or Bayside, but it's not in the best neighborhood, it's on top of a long closed shopping mall, and there's nothing within walking distance.

[CaesarsNcruisin4me]

Thank you for the info. My mom and dad have decided to stay at Essex but I will be heading to Orlando for a week with the kids post cruise. Most likely will stay at the Hard Rock @ Universal.

 

Pre cruise we booked at the Mariott Biscayne for $219 includes deluxe upgraded bay view, breakfast and port transfers. Intercontinental was unavailable for the 19th. How is the area around the Mariott? Are we close by to anything? Thanks again for your help, its very much appreciated.:D

 

Sandie