MIAMI - Holiday Inn or JW Marriott

[jkg227]

I know that both of these hotels have been discussed before. Just wondering your opinion....we are taking the Dec 24 cruise on the Navigator of the Seas and we are staying in Miami for two nights pre-cruise (Dec 22nd and 23rd).

 

I can get the JW Marriott for $169 per night. The Holiday Inn Port of Miami is $99 for Dec 22nd and $107 for Dec 23rd.

 

Is the Marriott worth the price difference? Is the Marriott as close to the Bayside Marketplace as the Holiday Inn?

 

Any more suggestions??????

 

Also, I'd be interested in your thoughts on a transfer (Town Car, Limo, etc) from FLL to Miami and from Port of Miami back to FLL. Should we book Town Car (or limo) or just go with a taxi???

 

Thanks again for all of the help!!!!

Jill

[ckrobyn]

I am booked at the JW for next January. In my opinion there is no comparison between a JW and a Holiday Inn. JW wins hands down for luxury surroundings. I guess it all depends on what is most important to you - if you don't mind paying the extra $$ for the JW - that's what I would book.

[SoccerMom#3]

I'd be interested in this also since we will be in Miami for one night in November before our cruise over Thanksgiving.

[Bequia]

Beer or champagne? I'd go for the champagne....JW Marriott in a heartbeat. ;)

[sammyjo882]

No comparison - definitely JW Marriott! Also, there's a great restaurant next to it called Gordon Birsch. It's a micro-brewery with good food!

[TrentS]

Absolutely NO comparison whatsoever... Bequia put it quite well!

 

The Holiday Inn is well, a old Holiday Inn, and not one of their better ones at that. It's in a nice location directly across from Bayside Marketplace (http://www.baysidemarketplace.com/), but it's location is IMO the only thing it's got going for it.

 

The JW Marriott is only a few years old and a VERY nice hotel for the price. It's less than 10 minutes from the Port and in a very nice area. There's a Gordon Biersch (http://www.gordonbiersch.com/) across the street south, and a Morton's (http://www.mortons.com/) across the street to the west.

 

IMO the JW Marriott is the best deal in downtown Miami... http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/miajw

[transam84]

We recently stayed at the JW Mariott for 1 night prior to our cruise on Majesty. I travel a lot on business and have stayed on many elegant properties. The JW Mariott is right up there with the best. The hotel is immaculate and the rooms and lobby beautiful. The pool is lovely and the metal bottom is rather unique. Would definitately recommend the JW.