Intercontinental Miami

[Cruising89143]

Just booked two nights pre-cruise in December at the Hotel Intercontinental in Miami. Anyone have comments on this hotel? I have stayed at other hotels in this area but not this one. I know that it is next door to Bayside which will make that very convenient. How about the view of the port? Is it good? It was a toss up between this and the Marriott which I have stayed at numerous times.

Thanks!

Gordon

[url="http://community.webshots.com/user/cruisingator"]http://community.webshots.com/user/cruisingator[/url]

NCL Starward-86, Starship Atlantic-91, Caribe-92, Seabreeze-93, Fantasy-93, Norway-94, Celebration-94, Sensation-95, Imagination-96, Destiny-97, Celebration-98, Triumph-99, Victory-00, Majesty of the Seas-01, Fascination-01, Carnival Pride-02, Majesty of the Seas-02, Carnival Legend-02, Fantasy 7-03, Glory 9-03, Fantasy 11-03, Triumph 3/04.

Navigator of the Seas 12/04/04
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[lcpagejr]

Have never stayed at the Intercontinental...but 2 weeks ago, prior to our cruise, I walked to that hotel. It is located directly on the bay. You do not have a direct view of the cruise ships. They are docked on the other side of the bay . You can clearly see the top 1/3 of the ships from in front of the hotel.

Until 4/4 Victory cruise
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[dosi]

Gordon--Our friends stayed here last year and said it was fantastic. Very upscale and beautiful. I am sure you will have a wonderful time.

doris

"I travel a lot; I hate having my life disrupted by routine"--Caskie Stinnett

Elation 10/20/02
Paradise 9/21/03
Star Princess 10/24/04

[CruiseFever]

The IC is an awesome downtown hotel, within walking distance of Bayside and probably tied with the Hyatt on my list of fav's in Miami.

They have simply the nicest breakfast buffet I've ever seen but at $20 per person the only way I could justify eating there with our family of four was by getting comp tickets through the concierge. We had booked a room on the club level which included breakfast (that buffet) and happy hour snacks and bevs. Since it was the weekend they didn't do the happy hour and gave us coupons for drinks in the bar instead. If you like Strawberry Daquri's at all you MUST get one there. They use fresh, ripe strawberries to make the best one I've ever tasted....and I don't really like them! That's typical of the quality of the hotel from the time you pull up in front till you leave.

If you're an early riser and would like to see the ships come in go to the 6th floor and walk out by the pool. The IC is the closest hotel to the Port and offers great views. Before you go though, if you're up at like 6am stop by the lobby where they've rolled out a cart with complementary coffee and danish (I suppose for the business people with early flights out). It won't be there past about 8 so get in there.

I see you're booked in December. Right outside the hotel at the park part of Bayside is the beginning of a holiday festival they run there every December. I haven't been able to get in on their website ([url="http://www.baysidemarketplace.com"]www.baysidemarketplace.com[/url])for a while but when it's up they have a calendar of events that will tell you when its all going on. It's quite fun and features a full blown carnival, holiday decorations, etc that really get you in the mood.

Another thing I'd consider that we did last December before our holiday cruise is a Miami Heat basketball game. If they're in town and you can go it's quite an experience. Owned by Carnival's Mickey Arison, the Heat puts on quite a show.

You've made a great choice in choosing the IC, they'll do you right.

Here's more:
[url="http://www.lifeiscruising.com/hotel_reservations"]http://www.lifeiscruising.com/hotel_reservations[/url]


Lastly- if you have time, a day trip to South Beach is a great idea. The beach is pristine compared with some others, they do a real good job keeping it clean and safe. The Art Deco architecture alone is worth the trip and I really thing that if you haven't seen South Beach you haven't seen Miami.

Ok one more thing (I love this city) a Harbor Cruise out of Bayside is also a great way to see the city, homes of the stars and even some cruise ships that may be in port. Go early though because it can get chilly at dusk or later.

Let me know if you need any more information

Ok and one more more thing

Eat at Bubba Gumps Shrimp Co at Bayside. If you don't then you won't know what everyone who did a precruise stay downtown is talking about when you get on board

Now I am done

I think

Happy Cruising

Chris

[url="http://www.LifeIsCruising.com"]www.LifeIsCruising.com[/url]

Next up:
Caribbean Princess 06/26/04
Star Princess 10/24/04
Carnival Victory 12/19/04
Carnival Miracle 03/13/05

[Cruising89143]

Thanks Chris for the info. I stayed at the Marriott on South Beach last month before the Triumph cruise. I actually like staying near the port better. I was just curious how the view was of the port from the room? Bayside is one of my favorite places to visit pre-cruise. Was just there last month. I do like having lunch or dinner at the News Cafe on Ocean Drive though. A great place to people watch. Actually my favorite place to eat at Bayside is Lombardi's. The view is something else along with great Italian food.

Compared to the Marriott and Doubletree, the rate at the Intercontinental was much better.

Gordon

[url="http://community.webshots.com/user/cruisingator"]http://community.webshots.com/user/cruisingator[/url]

NCL Starward-86, Starship Atlantic-91, Caribe-92, Seabreeze-93, Fantasy-93, Norway-94, Celebration-94, Sensation-95, Imagination-96, Destiny-97, Celebration-98, Triumph-99, Victory-00, Majesty of the Seas-01, Fascination-01, Carnival Pride-02, Majesty of the Seas-02, Carnival Legend-02, Fantasy 7-03, Glory 9-03, Fantasy 11-03, Triumph 3/04.

Navigator of the Seas 12/04/04
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=111111&cdt=2004;12;04;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]

[CruiseFever]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>I do like having lunch or dinner at the News Cafe on Ocean Drive though. A great place to people watch.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

you got that right!

The view from the hotel of the port is awesome.

Happy Cruising

Chris

[url="http://www.LifeIsCruising.com"]www.LifeIsCruising.com[/url]

Next up:
Caribbean Princess 06/26/04
Star Princess 10/24/04
Carnival Victory 12/19/04
Carnival Miracle 03/13/05

[finoky]

The Intercontinental is simply a wonderful hotel. Of all the hotels there I would choose it everytime. You will not be disappointed.

[img]http://mysite.verizon.net/vze1tehj/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/carnival.jpg[/img]

Tony

2004 Legend March 28th
2003 Paradise
2002 Paradise
2000 Destiny
1999 Fascination
1998 Fantasy

[imlulu]

One of my fave hotels!!!

No longer cruiseless...donations still accepted! Miracle 2/2005

Last cruise
Sensation 2/17/03

[derf5585]

InterContinental Hotels MIAMI
from
[url="http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ic/1/en/hd/miaha?irs=null"]http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ic/1/en/hd/miaha?irs=null[/url]

Overlooking Biscayne Bay, the hotel is conveniently close to Miami Beach
from
[url="http://www.destination-guide.com/detail_hotels.cfm?id=455&amid=1078&cscheme=1"]http://www.destination-guide.com/detail_hotels.cfm?id=455&amid=1078&cscheme=1[/url]

"Nice facility, horrible situation"
from
[url="http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g34438-d85029-r1712229-Hotel_InterContinental_Miami-Miami_Florida.cink_html"]http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g34438-d85029-r1712229-Hotel_InterContinental_Miami-Miami_Florida.cink_html[/url]

USS Chilton APA-38 1966-1968
USS Guam LPH-9 1968-1970
Pacific Princess Oct 21 2001 Bermuda
Golden Princess Dec 7 2002 "Eastern Caribbean"
Coral Princess Dec 9 2003 "Panama Canal"

Carnival Miracle 17 Oct 2004

NOT UPDATED again 25 Feb [url="http://www.geocities.com/fsbsdel"]www.geocities.com/fsbsdel[/url]

[demos]

We have stayed at the hotel 3 times and have never been dissapointed!!! The last was this past New Years Eve, the fireworks over the water at Midnight were fantastic. The holiday village next door to the hotel was nice also. Parking is not cheap 20.00 per day.plus tip.
We plan to do the same again this year.



Group Cruise Carnival Glory
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Till we Howl with the Hounds Mariner of the Seas!!


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New Years cruise on Carnival Triumph

[Cruising89143]

Chris, your advice was taken on your website and we bumped up to the club level so that we are assured of a bayview room. Thanks again to you and everyone for the info. Now can we just move ahead eight months?? [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Gordon

[url="http://community.webshots.com/user/cruisingator"]http://community.webshots.com/user/cruisingator[/url]

NCL Starward-86, Starship Atlantic-91, Caribe-92, Seabreeze-93, Fantasy-93, Norway-94, Celebration-94, Sensation-95, Imagination-96, Destiny-97, Celebration-98, Triumph-99, Victory-00, Majesty of the Seas-01, Fascination-01, Carnival Pride-02, Majesty of the Seas-02, Carnival Legend-02, Fantasy 7-03, Glory 9-03, Fantasy 11-03, Triumph 3/04.

Navigator of the Seas 12/04/04
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=111111&cdt=2004;12;04;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]