Miami International Airport Hotel

By airport hotel standards, this is a pleasant enough pick for those who absolutely must stay inside of the airport itself, but all in all it's about as mid-range as it gets. Guests can enter the lobby through the curbside entrance or from inside the airport, and once inside the bright space definitely has an airport feel. Ceilings are tall, silver columns soar, and colorful floors are lined with playful green and blue terazzo designs underneath glass bauble light fixtures. The area is often busy and full of guests waiting with their luggage on one of the several couches or chairs available. Further into the hotel, hallways with patterned carpeting and beige walls feel more like any other dated, mid-range hotel, except for the framed aviation-themed pictures placed throughout the property. Overall, this is a simple hotel whose best feature is its convenient location -- complaints range from inflated rates to datedness issues, and the hotel predictably draws a wide cross-section of guests.

The hotel is located inside the Miami International Airport, in the departure level of concourse E, which makes it a convenient pick for guests who don’t want to bother with an airport shuttle. The terminal has some shops and a few dining options and there are several pre-security restaurants in the other terminals. Downtown Miami is about a 15-minute drive from here, or 50 minutes via public transportation. Attractions like the American Airlines Arena, Miami Seaquarium, and Jungle Island are a 20- to 30-minute drive. Expect a 25-minute drive to South Beach in good traffic.

Miami International Airport Hotel has clean rooms that are reasonably bright, given their largely blue and white color scheme. Lime green bed runners add a pop of color to the spaces, while black-and-white pictures of the airport and airplanes adorn the walls. Large upholstered headboards and simple dark wood-veneer furniture do look sharp, but when all is said and done, these rooms are the definition of plain. All rooms have 42-inch flat-screen TVs, coffee machines with Seattle’s Best Coffee, telephones, clock radios, and free Wi-Fi. Studio rooms are small, with beds crammed into a corner in front of desks, while suites have living areas. Bathrooms have tile floors and walls plus shower/tub combos. Some have marble tiling, but grout work looks hasty and is discolored in some rooms. Magnifying mirrors and rainfall showerheads are nice touches. Rooms are quiet and well soundproofed, so airport noise isn’t an issue even in rooms with runway views. Keep in mind that many guests often complain that rooms are worn and tired.

The hotel offers limited facilities that include an on-site restaurant, though the food receives mixed reviews from guests. Breakfast is included and room service is available. There’s free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel -- though there have been some complaints of patchy service -- and meeting rooms are available for private events including one with a small kitchen and a murphy bed.