Miami Hotel Pre-Cruise

[kdkcruiser]

Please forgive me if this has been asked and answered. We usually fly into FLL and sail out of Port Everglades, staying at the Hilton Marina pre-cruise. For a change we booked our cruise out of Miami and are still flying into FLL to save $.

Our question - we need a hotel for two nights pre-cruise. We stayed many years ago at the Intercontinental by the port but the price is very expensive now. Not sure about the areas in Miami - ie. is it a good idea to stay by the airport? Are there restaurants we can walk to? We don't need a beach just a nice pool/sitting area. Or should we concentrate on the port area? Is that considered 'downtown' ? As you can probably tell we are complete newbies to the Miami area. Many thanks for any help you can offer.

[JohninDC]

When do you cruise and what is your budget? :confused: Without that info the suggestions will be all over the map. The $100 hotel room in August can go for $300+ in Jan/Feb :eek:

 

Downtown Miami is the area closest to POM; I would avoid the MIA airport area unless you are flying into MIA late and just want a bed for the night.

 

For two days in Miami I would look at the Hampton Inn Mary Brickell and the nearby Homewood Suites - lots of dining and nightlife and both hotels are popular with cruisers. Also check out the Hyatt, Doubletree and the Marriott next door to the Doubletree.

 

Your other option is to stay in the FLL area for two days, where comparable hotels are generally cheaper than those in Miami, and then shuttle/taxi/limo/Uber to POM the morning of your cruise - the ride takes about 45 minutes and shuttle fares generally start at about $15 per person. http://www.sunny.org has lots of FLL area hotel and tourist info. ;)

 

Have a great cruise! :)

[kdkcruiser]

Thanks for your response. We are looking for Feb 23 and Feb 24 - getting on Celebrity Reflection on the 25th. We want to stay in Miami for a change - we have been on 17th street a lot!!! Will check the hotels you recommended and thanks for the tip re the airport hotels as well - we had been considering the Embassy Suites. We are hoping to stay around $200 a night but know that might not be possible at that time of year.

Thanks again!!!

[JohninDC]

The MIA Embassy Suites is isolated and not in a nice area. :( If you are trying to save $$ you might consider hotels in the Blue Lagoon area near MIA - Hampton Inn, Homewood, Hilton and others; there is a local strip mall with shopping and dining options within walking distance. You can use the hotel shuttle to get back to the airport and from there catch the Miami Airport flyer bus to get to/from South Beach for under $3 each. :D

 

Farther from the port but still a nice/fun area of Miami is Coconut Grove - lots of hotels and local dining options. :)

[kdkcruiser]

Awesome. Thanks again! Thinking we will book the Homewood Suites hotel you recommended - I get points and its $249 pre-pay when booking. Decent and it seems like a nice area. Thank you!

[JohninDC]

If it is not much more the Homewood Suites in the Mary Brickell area of downtown Miami will offer many more local dining, shopping and nightlife options.

[kdkcruiser]

Just booked Hampton Inn - Brickell/Miami area for $265 a night advance purchase with Hilton Honors. Seems like a nice area for a couple of days. Thanks for your help!

[eandj]

Just booked Hampton Inn - Brickell/Miami area for $265 a night advance purchase with Hilton Honors. Seems like a nice area for a couple of days. Thanks for your help!

 

Good choice for a couple days.

Edited October 11, 2016 by eandj