Miami Hotels

[digertwo]

We are looking for a hotel after our cruise is over in Miami. Does anyone know which hotels offer early check in. I'm just wondering what we do with our luggage as most of the hotels list check in time at 3pm. I don't want to book one yet without knowing whether I have to lug my stuff around all day. Any suggestions? South Beach or Downtown? thanks

[sparky3229]

Almost any reputable hotel will hold your luggage if you arrive earlier. I have never had a problem with that...even in San Juan.:) As far as hotel recomendations, use search for TRENTS posts. He has given a lot of terrific infortmation on where and where not to stay.

[TrentS]

I don't know if any hotels will guarantee you early check-in... Pretty much every hotel will tell you 3pm or so, but if they have a room ready earlier they'll let you have it. In my experience, the times that hotels haven't had rooms ready when we've arrived, they've let us check in, took our luggage, and when we've come back later, given us the keycards and the luggage was already in the room.

 

As far as South Beach vs. Downtown Miami... There's a LOT more to do in South Beach, but decent hotels are a lot more expensive than downtown. 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. There are a few newer hotels, but most are 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.

 

These are the hotels I know to be decent places in downtown Miami and South Beach...

 

Downtown Miami... 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

 

South Beach...

 

South Beach Marriott... http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/MIAMB

 

Loews... http://www.loewshotels.com/hotels/miamibeach/default.asp

 

Marriott Courtyard South Beach... http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/MIACB

 

Hotel Victor... http://hotelvictorsouthbeach.com/

 

Ritz-Carlton South Beach... http://www.ritzcarlton.com/resorts/south_beach/default.html

[Tommy's Mommy]

Digertwo.

Try the Intercontinental Chopin Plaza. Very nice hotel. Within walking distance to Bayside. Safe walking at night. Food at hotel may be expensive but you have Bayside right out your back door. This hotel is in downtown Miami. No beach. Nice pool area with bar. There is also a fee tram around downtown Miam right outside of the Intercontinental. We did not take it but would have if we had enough time. If you want a beach go to Pre-Post hotel sight. Hope you have a great time. PS If interested in this hotel you want Intercontinental Chopin Plaza- not the airport one.

[ibarccruiser]

Ok Trent,

 

Another hotel question -- We are booked in a package deal for the

Days Inn 1950 W 49th St. Westland Mall. I have since read some :eek: scary reviews on the Travelocity website about this hotel. Are we going to be sorry?? :confused:

We paid about $70.00 for one night precruise, and it has free shuttle from airport and free shuttle to port in morning. We though we'd just bum around the mall and relax in the evening at the hotel.

Should we try to change our hotels or for the price are we going to at least be able to get through the one night there.

 

Thanks for your input!!:)

 

Lori

[TrentS]

Lori, I would not recommend you stay way out there. That's in Hialeah, a good 45 minutes from the Port of Miami, and if you don't speak Spanish you're going to be very out of place! It's just not the place for tourists IMO. It may cost you a little more money, but pick something in downtown Miami or South Beach and you'll be much happier - It will be money well spent! As for the hotel, I have yet to see a Days Inn down here that isn't quite scary! :eek:

[espartaco]

Lon:

 

I stayed at this motel last year:mad: , please do you a favor, stay elsewhere.

It's very dirty, the elevator did not work, they don't have own shuttles, they are from Ramada Hotel next door and you have to wait a long time, don´t have pool, etc.

 

It´s very far from the airport and the port, beacuse it's "shuttle" I ended paying 45.00 for a taxi to the port. Your best option is a hotel in downtown Miami.

[Leslie K]

I'm trraveling President's week in February and have room booked pre-cruise at Days Inn Downtown (1050 NW 14th St near the Civic Center which I remember passing on the way to the Port) and a Best Western South Miami on SW 71st St. I've been searching for months but my first choices have been booked since before April 05 or prices just higher than we want to spend. Anyone have any experience with either of these 2 hotels?

[TrentS]

Leslie, that Days Inn is horrible, and in a dangerous neighborhood... And I trust that if you're staying at that Best Western you're going to have a car as there's nothing to walk to in that area, and it's not the safest neighborhood either. It's also a long way from the port and airport.

 

I know hotels are expensive, but do yourself a huge favor and cut back on something else.

 

Days Inn reviews... http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g34438-d85003-Reviews-Days_Inn_Downtown_Port-Miami_Florida.html

 

Best Western reviews... http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g34646-d88534-Reviews-Best_Western_South_Miami-South_Miami_Florida.html

[ibarccruiser]

Thanks Trent -- I am calling my travel agent today and rebooking!!!

 

Lori

[Leslie K]

thanks Trent for the information. I tried a couple of your suggestions and booked something else.