The three-Pearl Vagabond Hotel is a kitschy wonder for travelers weary of chain properties. Everything in the Vagabond -- from its 45 rooms to the outdoor pool to the retro sign -- has been thoughtfully restored to its midcentury modern glory. It’s right on Biscayne Boulevard, but the rooms aren’t street-facing, so noise from traffic isn’t a factor. The music by the pool is a different story. Even after the sound is turned down, the party may continue. Another factor to consider is location. It's in the heart of Miami’s up and coming MiMo/Biscayne Boulevard Historic District, but not walking distance to many of the city's main attractions, so it's best with a car. While the nearby mid-range New Yorker is less expensive and offers similar freebies, the Vagabond's rooms are more spacious and overall more on point aesthetically.
The three-Pearl Vagabond Hotel is a kitschy wonder for travelers weary of chain properties. Everything in the Vagabond -- from its 45 rooms to the outdoor pool to the retro sign -- has been thoughtfully restored to its midcentury modern glory. It’s right on Biscayne Boulevard, but the rooms aren’t street-facing, so noise from traffic isn’t a factor. The music by the pool is a different story. Even after the sound is turned down, the party may continue. Another factor to consider is location. It's in the heart of Miami’s up and coming MiMo/Biscayne Boulevard Historic District, but not walking distance to many of the city's main attractions, so it's best with a car. While the nearby mid-range New Yorker is less expensive and offers similar freebies, the Vagabond's rooms are more spacious and overall more on point aesthetically.
The lower-middle-range Quality Inn Miami Airport Hotel is conveniently located near Miami International Airport, which is accessible by a free shuttle (though there are some complaints of its infrequent schedule). An outdoor pool and free breakfast buffet make this a family-friendly hotel, while many business travelers are drawn by the airport-adjacent location and features like a business center and 24-hour fitness center. The 129 rooms are spacious and cheery and include microwaves, mini-fridges, and coffee/tea makers, though there have been many complaints of cleanliness issues. For a similar (but trendier) hotel with a convenient airport location, it may be worth checking prices at the Hampton Inn & Suites Miami-Airport South-Blue Lagoon.
The lower-middle-range Quality Inn Miami Airport Hotel is conveniently located near Miami International Airport, which is accessible by a free shuttle (though there are some complaints of its infrequent schedule). An outdoor pool and free breakfast buffet make this a family-friendly hotel, while many business travelers are drawn by the airport-adjacent location and features like a business center and 24-hour fitness center. The 129 rooms are spacious and cheery and include microwaves, mini-fridges, and coffee/tea makers, though there have been many complaints of cleanliness issues. For a similar (but trendier) hotel with a convenient airport location, it may be worth checking prices at the Hampton Inn & Suites Miami-Airport South-Blue Lagoon.
With a downtown location near corporate offices and the Port of Miami, the Courtyard is a convenient mid-range option for a business trip or pre-cruise stay. The 14-story hotel is smoke-free and features an outdoor pool, workout room, self-service cafe and both self- and valet parking. Rooms are spacious, if generic, and come with free Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, and flat-screen TVs. This is a corporate chain hotel and the decor reflects that.
With a downtown location near corporate offices and the Port of Miami, the Courtyard is a convenient mid-range option for a business trip or pre-cruise stay. The 14-story hotel is smoke-free and features an outdoor pool, workout room, self-service cafe and both self- and valet parking. Rooms are spacious, if generic, and come with free Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, and flat-screen TVs. This is a corporate chain hotel and the decor reflects that.
The budget Shalimar Motel is a tidy, two-story property directly on Biscayne Boulevard in Miami's MiMo district. While it sports a midcentury vintage exterior, the 49-room motel has neither views nor a pool. And for the budget conscious, the price isn't as rock-bottom as the bland atmosphere and scant amenities suggest. Plus some tacked-on fees often rankle guests. Rates do include a free breakfast, parking, and Wi-Fi. And rooms offer all the basics, including mini-fridges, irons, and TVs. Those headed to the beach will need a car as it's a 20-minute drive away, but the hotel is on a major bus line. A better, more stylish option would be the Freehand Miami; though rates are a bit higher, the property includes a pool and attractive rooms.
The budget Shalimar Motel is a tidy, two-story property directly on Biscayne Boulevard in Miami's MiMo district. While it sports a midcentury vintage exterior, the 49-room motel has neither views nor a pool. And for the budget conscious, the price isn't as rock-bottom as the bland atmosphere and scant amenities suggest. Plus some tacked-on fees often rankle guests. Rates do include a free breakfast, parking, and Wi-Fi. And rooms offer all the basics, including mini-fridges, irons, and TVs. Those headed to the beach will need a car as it's a 20-minute drive away, but the hotel is on a major bus line. A better, more stylish option would be the Freehand Miami; though rates are a bit higher, the property includes a pool and attractive rooms.
HYATT house Miami Airport is a mid-range hotel with 156 rooms located just three miles from Miami International Airport. The bright and spacious suites here are more like mini-apartments, with one or two bedrooms, fully equipped kitchens, and cozy living areas. The property also offers free breakfast and has an outdoor pool and hot tub, a small gym, and a snack shop. There’s a free shuttle service to and from the airport for guests, which needs to be reserved in advance. Guests with no need for a full kitchen could consider the slightly less expensive Marriot Miami Airport, which has luxe in-room features and an on-site Starbucks, or the significantly cheaper Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel Miami Airport.
HYATT house Miami Airport is a mid-range hotel with 156 rooms located just three miles from Miami International Airport. The bright and spacious suites here are more like mini-apartments, with one or two bedrooms, fully equipped kitchens, and cozy living areas. The property also offers free breakfast and has an outdoor pool and hot tub, a small gym, and a snack shop. There’s a free shuttle service to and from the airport for guests, which needs to be reserved in advance. Guests with no need for a full kitchen could consider the slightly less expensive Marriot Miami Airport, which has luxe in-room features and an on-site Starbucks, or the significantly cheaper Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel Miami Airport.
Before the owners decided to give the New Yorker a boutique-y twist in 2009, the 50-room family-run property was a basic motel in a somewhat out-of-the-way location. However, the fresh coats of paint, the clean, airy rooms with flat-screen TVs and mini-fridges, and the cool retro vibe throughout make it stand a notch above its former motel status. The thin walls, the outside entrances to the rooms, and the lack of amenities remain, but the hotel offers a nice pool, great rates, and a long list of solid freebies that make it a good pick for value. Also, Travel Channel’s Hotel Impossible revamped the garden area where breakfast is served, and turned it into a lovely, quiet spot with lanterns hanging from the trees, bright colors, and comfy seating.
Before the owners decided to give the New Yorker a boutique-y twist in 2009, the 50-room family-run property was a basic motel in a somewhat out-of-the-way location. However, the fresh coats of paint, the clean, airy rooms with flat-screen TVs and mini-fridges, and the cool retro vibe throughout make it stand a notch above its former motel status. The thin walls, the outside entrances to the rooms, and the lack of amenities remain, but the hotel offers a nice pool, great rates, and a long list of solid freebies that make it a good pick for value. Also, Travel Channel’s Hotel Impossible revamped the garden area where breakfast is served, and turned it into a lovely, quiet spot with lanterns hanging from the trees, bright colors, and comfy seating.
Fortune House is an upscale, condo complex with 150 one- and two-bedroom condos complete with full kitchens and living areas. Decor varies from unit to unit -- some have more modern furnishings than others. The hotel has a heated, outdoor pool with a covered barbecue area and an attractive bar decorated with exotic plants. There’s also a restaurant and an impressive fitness center. One downside is the location, which is far from the beach -- a 15-minute drive away -- but business travelers will appreciate being housed in the Financial District and near a Metromover stop. Families may prefer Newport Beachside Hotel and Resort, a property with apartment-style suites on Sunny Isles Beach.
Fortune House is an upscale, condo complex with 150 one- and two-bedroom condos complete with full kitchens and living areas. Decor varies from unit to unit -- some have more modern furnishings than others. The hotel has a heated, outdoor pool with a covered barbecue area and an attractive bar decorated with exotic plants. There’s also a restaurant and an impressive fitness center. One downside is the location, which is far from the beach -- a 15-minute drive away -- but business travelers will appreciate being housed in the Financial District and near a Metromover stop. Families may prefer Newport Beachside Hotel and Resort, a property with apartment-style suites on Sunny Isles Beach.
The modern and sleek YVE Hotel Miami attracts business and cruise ship travelers because of the close proximity to the port of Miami and downtown area of the city. There's an on-site restaurant and bar, Biscayne Tavern, that serves gourmet burgers and seafood dishes. Rooms are clean with modern furniture and soothing colors (whites, blues, and grays), but some are on the smaller side.
The modern and sleek YVE Hotel Miami attracts business and cruise ship travelers because of the close proximity to the port of Miami and downtown area of the city. There's an on-site restaurant and bar, Biscayne Tavern, that serves gourmet burgers and seafood dishes. Rooms are clean with modern furniture and soothing colors (whites, blues, and grays), but some are on the smaller side.
Offering 300 comfortable guest rooms, a quality pool and Jacuzzi, a restaurant, and a 24-hour fitness center and convenience store, the Courtyard by Marriott isn't too fancy (no room service, for example), but it's a great choice for an airport hotel that can sleep four people to a standard room.
Offering 300 comfortable guest rooms, a quality pool and Jacuzzi, a restaurant, and a 24-hour fitness center and convenience store, the Courtyard by Marriott isn't too fancy (no room service, for example), but it's a great choice for an airport hotel that can sleep four people to a standard room.
Fresh from a 2016 renovation, the mid-range 103-room Holiday Inn Express Miami Airport Doral Area offers an updated and affordable retreat near the airport and the Port of Miami. There’s an outdoor pool with lounge chairs and a grill, a gym, a bright breakfast room, and a business corner. Rooms offer standard furnishings, flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, and mini-fridges. There's also a free airport shuttle, though its schedule can be unpredictable. The similarly priced Element Miami International Airport Hotel is an eco-friendly airport hotel option that provides shuttles to the airport and to nearby restaurants.
Fresh from a 2016 renovation, the mid-range 103-room Holiday Inn Express Miami Airport Doral Area offers an updated and affordable retreat near the airport and the Port of Miami. There’s an outdoor pool with lounge chairs and a grill, a gym, a bright breakfast room, and a business corner. Rooms offer standard furnishings, flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, and mini-fridges. There's also a free airport shuttle, though its schedule can be unpredictable. The similarly priced Element Miami International Airport Hotel is an eco-friendly airport hotel option that provides shuttles to the airport and to nearby restaurants.