Miami Hotels close to port

[ElvisandTracey]

Hi-going on Freedom in June, and I am beginning to consider hotel options for the night before we sail-

 

I have stayed in a Marriott pre-cruise in the past, but it is close to the airport, far from the port, also have stayed in the Miami Airport hotel, whic has become somewhat of a dump in the past few years-used to be better, now smells like mold and the rooms leak water from the AC...

 

So, where should I stay-close to port, walking distance to activities, decent pool for 2 kids-I know there is a Holiday Inn, but I'm looking for something a little nicer-Hilton, Hyatt, Radisson....

 

Anyone know of anything close, but not the HI??

 

Thanks!!

[Cruising89143]

I prefer the Marriott Biscayne Bay. The bay view rooms have a great view of the port and ships. I have photos below in my link to the Navigator. There is also the Hotel Intercontinental, Doubletree and Radisson.

[TrentS]

Downtown Miami hotels, closest to the Port of Miami and Bayside Marketplace... http://www.baysidemarketplace.com/

 

JW Marriott (very nice, great AAA rates)... http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/miajw

 

Hyatt Regency... http://miamiregency.hyatt.com/property/index.jhtml

 

Intercontinental (nice port views)... http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ic/1/en/hd/miaha?irs=null

 

Biscayne Bay Marriott (best views of the port)... 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

[taraandsean]

Hyatt regency or intercontinental miami are both downtown and are 4 stars and you can get them for about 65 a night on priceline

[p0mpey]

We are staying here next Friday night before our Navigator cruise. Pleased to read a good report about it. We got it for $80 thru' Priceline. We are trying to decide whether to rent a car or just use taxi's to get around (we arrive early Friday morning so have all day to see Miami). Any advice? Is there much right by the hotel? I am thinking we would have been better staying in the South Beach area.

[TrentS]

Decent South Beach hotels are extremely expensive. It's much cheaper to just rent a car or take a cab over and back... If you've got the whole day you would be best off renting a car as your room may not be ready early in the morning, and many of the rental car companies will shuttle you from their MIA airport locations to the port so that would save you on cab fare as well. Return the car the next morning and have them shuttle you to the port. Not ALL rental car companies do that though, so check to make sure yours does.

 

There's nothing right around the Biscayne Bay Marriott, you'll need a car/cab to go anywhere... Request a SE view room, those rooms have spectacular views of the port and entire channel.