hotels/transportation in Miami

[lisap612]

Hi,

My husband and I went on a Carnival cruise for our honeymoon. Now, 18 years later we're taking our kids on the Carnvial Imagination at the end of January. We'll be flying in the Wed night before the Thursday cruise. I'm looking for tips on where to stay that night and how to get to that hotel and or how to get to the cruise? We're looking for a simple safe hotel that allows for easy transportation.

 

Any other tips you can offer would be welcomed!

 

Thanks! LP

[TrentS]

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

[sportsterjohn]

If you are just staying the night before the cruise, try the baymont suites. it's right next to the airport and has a shuttle service to the cruise ship dock. Also has full breakfast.

[TrentS]

But there's nothing to do out by the airport and that Baymont Suites is not in a very good neighborhood... Downtown Miami is your best bet for the night before your cruise, and where most Miami cruisers stay.

[hlb76]

We wil also be cruise on imagination 1/21. We are flying in on the 19th late and plan on renting a car to see the sights before we set sail. My husband is thinking of staying at the Red Roof Inn. He says its the best deal and they provide shuttle service. Any opinion on this? I hate booking rooms somewhere I have never been cuz you don't have a clue on the area. Nothing worse than being to scared to leave your room. Thanks

[TrentS]

If you want to stay in the MIA airport area then stay in the "Blue Lagoon" area. That's a nice, safe area, but please don't get hung up on shuttles! Taxis are plentiful, inexpensive, and a whole lot quicker, easier and more comfortable than dealing with shuttles! :eek:

 

The Downtown Miami hotels listed above is where most MIA cruisers stay though.

 

The Red Roof Inn at MIA is not in a good neighborhood, and has horrible Trip Advisor reviews... http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g34438-d85005-Reviews-Red_Roof_Inn_Miami_Airport-Miami_Florida.html

 

If you want to stay near MIA, try these airport hotels...

 

Hilton... http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=MIAAHHH

 

Hampton Inn... http://www.hamptoninnmiamiairport.com/

 

Homewood Suites... http://homewoodsuites.hilton.com/en/hw/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=MIABLHW

 

Summerfield Suites... http://www.wyndham.com/hotels/MIASS/main.wnt

 

Sofitel... http://www.sofitel.com/sofitel/fichehotel/gb/sof/0889/fiche_hotel.shtml

[LUCY55]

lisap612, my impression of the Miami area is there are some not so nice areas--and with your kids you wouldn't want to stay at them. TrentS seems to be very knowledgable about miami hotels. I personally, want a decent price, safety, free transportation from airport to hotel, and free transportation to port, and free breakfast (continental O.K.) Another thing would be restaurants in walking distance the night before in a safe area. You won't be getting food on the flight. Although many stay near downtown, it doesn't matter if you don't have time to do anything except go to dinner. I also think the downtown hotels cost more--further west hotels cost less. I booked the Hampton Inn at Dadeland Mall because it met my criteria. So TrentS is this in a good area? I realize it is a half an hour to the port. O.K. as long as I get there LOL.

[TrentS]

Well "free" shuttles are never a reason to book any hotel IMO. Too many people get all hung up on getting "free" shuttles, but they're rarely worth the time you spend waiting and the hassle involved with using them. If you're staying in the Dadeland area though, you'll need them as the taxi fare would kill you to and from there.

 

I haven't been in that particular Hampton Inn, but yes, the Dadeland area is a nice area, and it's a very nice mall within easy walking distance of that Hampton Inn.

 

Dadeland Mall... http://www.simon.com/mall/default.aspx?ID=138

[LUCY55]

You are from the area right? Probably comfortable with using cabs. We have felt we were ripped off once by a cab driver. If you have a family and lots of luggage you have to take two cabs and the price is doubled. I guess some of us with families actually feel more comfortable with a hotel transfer--even if we have to wait. I see your point though--what if the shuttle doesn't run or is full? Could be a big taxi fare!!

[TrentS]

Yes, I'm from the area and prefer limos to cabs, but have no problem with cabs. One bad cab driver doesn't make them ALL bad though. If you're more comfortable with shuttles however, then SuperShuttle is another option from MIA... http://www.supershuttle.com/htm/cities/mia.htm

 

What would concern me with relying on a shuttle to a Dadeland area hotel is that in most cases you have to call them to send it once you arrive. No matter what they tell you, you will most likely be standing at MIA waiting on it for well over an hour, and 2 hours would not be out of the question! Traffic in South Florida is HORRIBLE most of the day.

 

Yes, you'll probably pay more if you stay in a downtown Miami hotel, but in the end it could prove to be far less expensive. I travel a LOT, things rarely go as planned, and cheapest is NEVER best.

 

The airport hotels in the "Blue Lagoon" area I listed above are all nice places with "free" airport shuttles. If you're scared of being ripped off by a cab, you could take their shuttle back to the airport in the morning, and then take a taxi from the airport to the port. The taxi fare between MIA and the Port of Miami is a fixed/flat rate of $24 per cab. Simply confirm the price with the driver before you get in so he knows you know about the flat rate.

 

Just some things to think about, but I certainly wouldn't want to rely on a shuttle from a small hotel that far away. I'm not someone who likes standing around more than a couple of minutes though.

 

I have no problem with staying in the Dadeland area, but if I did I would rent a car. ;)

[LUCY55]

I believe the hotel has a van. I will double check. We did go on a cruise out of Miami last year. Went directly by cab to the port--$21 plus tip. Very simple. This year coming in the night before so there is the need for transportation to and from hotel.

[traveling queen]

We are also booked at the Baymont. It is just for one night and we are not interested in doing much of anything. Our goal is just to take it easy and relax so we can really enjoy our cruise. I know that there is not a lot to do in that area, but this hotel seems to be getting a bad rap all the time. I have spoken with the staff at the hotel and they have been very helpful to me. We will be taking a cab to the port in the morning, the hotel does offer a shuttle service. This hotel was in our price range, the other hotels that Trent suggested were higher priced. There was a review from Sportster that said he found the hotel to be ok. We are looking forward to staying at the Baymont and I plan on writing a review when we get home. I will try to be very honest, but everyone has their own opinion.

[TrentS]

We did go on a cruise out of Miami last year. Went directly by cab to the port--$21 plus tip.

That was the old flat rate between MIA and the Port of Miami, it's just been raised to $24.

[jerryb48]

SportsterJohn

 

I am booked at Baymont Inns on Lejeune rd near the Miami airport for March 26th.for one night pre cruise. I was wondering have you ever stayed there? If so, what did you think of the place? I did hear it had quite a bit of damge from the hurricane. Any info would be welcome and any comments from any one else would be aprreciated.

 

Thanks,

Jerry

[traveling queen]

jerryb48, We are staying there on the 10th of December. I will post a review when we get home. I will let you know how everything was. We are staying there, they have a shuttle service from the airport to their hotel, plus a shuttle to the port. We will be taking a taxi, that way we can take off when we would like to and not have to wait for the shuttle to fill up. Counting down the days............

[deputy836]

Traveling Queen, Please let me know when you return from staying at the Baymont. I saw that you said you post a review. Please send me a quick note if you can, so that I can find the review. I too am looking for a cheap, decent hotel to stay at for 1 day prior to the cruise and possibly 1 day after the cruise. Thanks!

Dee

Victory 2-26-06

[traveling queen]

Deputy, I will do just that. We didn't want or need anything expensive, just clean. The Baymont seemed to offer just that. Someone said that there was nothing around it. That is ok with us. So I will let you know when we return home on the 18th(late evening). I will try to post that evening.

[sportsterjohn]

The Baymount is fine. As Trent said though, there is nothing to see /do near the hotel. It is right next to the airport. If you are looking for a crashpad the night before a cruise with free parking / shuttle then it is perfect. If you are looking for a place to hang out for a few days, then it probably wouldn't be a good choice. The rooms are large and clean and the hotel is in good shape.