Hilton Miami Airport Blue Lagoon

This is an airport hotel gone glam, surrounded by a half-mile-long jogging path and overlooking a lagoon. A gazebo allows guests to soak in the view, although on the other side of the water lies an industrial complex. One can almost imagine the lobby as a nightclub, with its sleek white pillars, stylish pewter-colored seating, metallic side tables, and iridescent walls leading to the elevators. Skylights and greenery help bring the outdoors inside, while a screen in the lobby tracks airplane arrivals and departures. Off the lobby is Avenues Gifts, a standard souvenir shop. The Cove Bar in the lobby serves cocktails, wines, and appetizers from the afternoon until midnight -- perfect for business travelers in need of unwinding.

As the name implies, this hotel is located close to Miami International Airport -- about a 10-minute drive away. A free shuttle runs every 15 minutes to ferry hotel guests to-and-from the airport. But there’s really nothing within walking distance, and once guests move beyond the dazzling lagoon view, there’s not much else to see in the hotel’s industrial neighborhood. Downtown Miami, shopping, and several golf courses are nearby -- but not within walking distance (about a 15-minute drive). Expect to pay for parking at the hotel.

Just like what you'll find in the lobby, room decor is unexpectedly chic for an airport hotel. Rooms and suites are comfortable, with the basic hotel furniture (heavy wood) and crisp white bedding elevated by modern touches, like contemporary glass lamps, oversize leather headboards, and special lighting to illuminate framed abstract artwork. The modern updates continue into the bathrooms, which have frosted doors and decorative mosaics in the shower. Some rooms and suites have balconies with views of the Miami skyline or the lagoon. Flat-screen TVs are standard, though alarm clocks and telephones look straight out of the 90s. Wi-Fi costs extra.

The hotel offers a good selection of recreational amenities, including a very large outdoor pool, two spa tubs, jogging track, and rooftop basketball and tennis courts. But what sets the property apart is its sleek decor. Even if guests never venture into downtown Miami or South Beach, they’ll get a feel for Miami's swank in this hotel’s common areas, starting with the trendy decor of the lobby. The business center is particularly classy, with both PC and Mac computers available. Large windows and modern furnishings make it clear that the business center was not an afterthought. Likewise for the fitness center, which incorporates plenty of natural light and several dozen cardio and weight machines. Another standout is the conference center, with 3,000 square feet of meeting space, including a massive ballroom. Food prices are high at the on-site Coral Cafe, which serves continental cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with an extra charge for room service. The poolside Blue Lagoon Saloon serves tropical cocktails, sandwiches, and salads during the day; a lobby cafe serves coffee and pastries until late morning.