Miami hotels - I'm so lost!

[ryansmama]

Can someone recommend an area that is safe, affordable and yet has easy access to say the Miami Zoo and other attractions (should probably go see South Beach?). We're staying in Miami 2 nights after our cruise in February.

 

The airport area has great prices, but how inconvenient would it be to sight see/get to the zoo, etc.. from there?

[klfrodo]

It would probably help if you defined "Affordable".

 

Could very well be that what you consider affordable is really an unrealistic expectation.

[TrentS]

As the poster above posted, you have to define "affordable".

 

You mention South Beach and MetroZoo, they're almost 30 miles apart. A rental car is a must if you want to go to MetroZoo.

 

The airport area is between South Beach and MetroZoo. It's easy to get from there to anywhere in Miami, but you mention "safe"... Some of the airport hotels are in a safe area, some are not.

[ryansmama]

Ah yes -- well affordable for me would be less than $170 per night.

Would downtown be more central?

[TrentS]

Ah yes -- well affordable for me would be less than $170 per night.

Would downtown be more central?

 

Downtown is closer to South Beach, but you're asking about MetroZoo and Everlgades tours so you'll have to have a rental car and downtown as well as South Beach hotels charge a lot for parking.

 

If you're on a tighter budget most of the airport area hotels have free parking, and they're centrally located between South Beach, MetroZoo and the Everglades.

 

As for safely, the "Blue Lagoon" on the south side of the airport area is safer... The east and north side of the airport isn't so nice of an area to stay.

 

Here are some nice places to stay in that area...

 

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

 

Hyatt Summerfield Suites... http://miamiairport.summerfieldsuites.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/summerfield/index.jsp

 

Homewood Suites... http://www.homewoodsuitesmiami.com/

 

Hilton... http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/MIAAHHH-Hilton-Miami-Airport-Florida/index.do

[ryansmama]

TrentS - thank you so much for the wealth of information -- I feel better now - will be booking in that area for sure :)

[Gathina]

You could also consider staying in a place like Doral or Kendall..outside the city.

[Mama2Tay]

Ryansmama, we are on the same cruise as you in February. You should come join our roll call thread here: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=944600

 

We have two children, DD age 11 and DS age 8. This will be their second cruise and they are very excited!

[JohninDC]

We stayed at the Homewood Suites last March before our Destiny cruise. Rooms are suites with separate sleeping areas - great for traveling families. The pool and hot tub were nice and clean, and they offered a hot breakfast in the morning. There was a small shopping mall about a 5 minute walk away with Starbucks, grocery store, liquor store, and several dining options. We chose Casa Juan for good and inexpensive Cuban food. Hampton Inn was much closer to the mall. Good luck!:)

[blindrid]

If you are looking at the airport area, I've had good luck with the Sofitel - Airport. The chain is pretty upscale and I was thinking I paid about $100 on priceline or one of those.

 

Had a nice pool area next to a lagoon that worked well for us. I'm thinking there was a shuttle for about $15 to get to the port. The downside was the area was pretty commercial - with office buildings, etc. The last time I was there was just after a hurricane so things were a little beat up but the inside was well taken care of with good service.