The 313-room JW Marriott Marquis is reminiscent of a luxury hotel in Vegas: Everything is big, from the light fixtures to the bathrooms, and the array of amenities is so extensive guests might not have to leave the premises -- there are three restaurants, a pool, a basketball court, a virtual bowling alley, a 3D theater room, a golf school, and a huge fitness center. A good choice for business travelers, the hotel is one of the most modern hotels in Downtown Miami, and all rooms come equipped with desktop computers and giant 52-inch flat-screen TVs. For even more luxurious digs, you may consider Hotel Beaux Arts, Marriott's boutique hotel on the top floors of the building.
The 313-room JW Marriott Marquis is reminiscent of a luxury hotel in Vegas: Everything is big, from the light fixtures to the bathrooms, and the array of amenities is so extensive guests might not have to leave the premises -- there are three restaurants, a pool, a basketball court, a virtual bowling alley, a 3D theater room, a golf school, and a huge fitness center. A good choice for business travelers, the hotel is one of the most modern hotels in Downtown Miami, and all rooms come equipped with desktop computers and giant 52-inch flat-screen TVs. For even more luxurious digs, you may consider Hotel Beaux Arts, Marriott's boutique hotel on the top floors of the building.
Taking up 17 floors of a 36-story skyscraper downtown, this Hilton luxury offshoot has some swanky touches -- a rooftop pool, a top-notch spa and gym, 500-thread-count linens, and spacious standard rooms. The Conrad also has a great restaurant and The Bar at LvL 25 has sweeping views of Biscayne Bay and is a popular spot for happy hour. It should be noted that the hotel is geared toward business travelers so families wanting to spend time on the beach should look elsewhere. For a similar stay, compare rates with the neighboring JW Marriott.
Taking up 17 floors of a 36-story skyscraper downtown, this Hilton luxury offshoot has some swanky touches -- a rooftop pool, a top-notch spa and gym, 500-thread-count linens, and spacious standard rooms. The Conrad also has a great restaurant and The Bar at LvL 25 has sweeping views of Biscayne Bay and is a popular spot for happy hour. It should be noted that the hotel is geared toward business travelers so families wanting to spend time on the beach should look elsewhere. For a similar stay, compare rates with the neighboring JW Marriott.
This huge 641-room downtown tower has been regularly renovated -- the lobby was redone in 2008, and guestrooms were refreshed in 2012. With its attentive (though somewhat overwhelmed) service, decent pool and reasonable gym and spa, it consistently attracts a busy crowd of business travelers and families.
This huge 641-room downtown tower has been regularly renovated -- the lobby was redone in 2008, and guestrooms were refreshed in 2012. With its attentive (though somewhat overwhelmed) service, decent pool and reasonable gym and spa, it consistently attracts a busy crowd of business travelers and families.
The three-pearl, 189-room Hilton Garden Inn Miami Airport West is about a 15-minute drive to Miami International Airport, making it a practical choice for travelers catching early-morning flights. Passing airplanes can get loud outside the hotel and in the pool area, but thanks to soundproofing, it's not a problem indoors. The hotel has a restaurant, an outdoor heated pool and hot tub, a fitness center, and a business center and meeting rooms, but there are several comparable hotels near the airport, and travelers might want to check out the Hyatt Place Miami Airport, which offers a free breakfast.
The three-pearl, 189-room Hilton Garden Inn Miami Airport West is about a 15-minute drive to Miami International Airport, making it a practical choice for travelers catching early-morning flights. Passing airplanes can get loud outside the hotel and in the pool area, but thanks to soundproofing, it's not a problem indoors. The hotel has a restaurant, an outdoor heated pool and hot tub, a fitness center, and a business center and meeting rooms, but there are several comparable hotels near the airport, and travelers might want to check out the Hyatt Place Miami Airport, which offers a free breakfast.
What the budget Leamington Hotel has going for it -- aside from rock-bottom prices -- is its downtown location close to the Bayside Marketplace and the Port of Miami, a major cruise ship port. The 105-room hotel itself is barebones basic, and could use a refresh. Its only common area is a breakfast room in the lobby, where a continental breakfast of coffee and various breads is served for free. Rooms come with free Wi-Fi, AC, flat-screen TVs in some, and while they have bright accent walls, they show some wear and tear, and guests have complained about cleanliness, particularly in the bathrooms. The nearby River Park Hotel & Suites Downtown is similarly priced and offers a little more in the way of decor, but it's farther from the cruise port and doesn't have in-room Wi-Fi.
What the budget Leamington Hotel has going for it -- aside from rock-bottom prices -- is its downtown location close to the Bayside Marketplace and the Port of Miami, a major cruise ship port. The 105-room hotel itself is barebones basic, and could use a refresh. Its only common area is a breakfast room in the lobby, where a continental breakfast of coffee and various breads is served for free. Rooms come with free Wi-Fi, AC, flat-screen TVs in some, and while they have bright accent walls, they show some wear and tear, and guests have complained about cleanliness, particularly in the bathrooms. The nearby River Park Hotel & Suites Downtown is similarly priced and offers a little more in the way of decor, but it's farther from the cruise port and doesn't have in-room Wi-Fi.
Opened in 2009 by the Kimpton hotel group, EPIC is a luxurious Downtown hotel that attracts business professionals and leisure travelers who want to be removed from the South Beach scene. All guests will likely appreciate the two 16th-floor pools, spa facilities, daily wine hour, and upscale dining options. The 411 guests rooms sport comfortable beds, spacious bathrooms, and balconies with excellent Biscayne Bay or city views, but furniture is showing some wear. For a similar stay, compare rates with the nearby Conrad Miami or Intercontinental.
Opened in 2009 by the Kimpton hotel group, EPIC is a luxurious Downtown hotel that attracts business professionals and leisure travelers who want to be removed from the South Beach scene. All guests will likely appreciate the two 16th-floor pools, spa facilities, daily wine hour, and upscale dining options. The 411 guests rooms sport comfortable beds, spacious bathrooms, and balconies with excellent Biscayne Bay or city views, but furniture is showing some wear. For a similar stay, compare rates with the nearby Conrad Miami or Intercontinental.
The Four Seasons is synonymous with top-notch service, and the 221-room Four Seasons Miami is no exception. This hotel is cooly elegant and immaculately maintained, with an elite fitness center, sophisticated steakhouse, and two large and lovely pool areas. Modern rooms are spacious with big, luxurious bathrooms; some have expansive water views. It's an ideal choice for a conference or business traveler crash pad, but the Financial District location makes it a bit less ideal for a romantic retreat or kid-friendly vacation. Note that fees like Wi-Fi and valet parking can add up quickly.
The Four Seasons is synonymous with top-notch service, and the 221-room Four Seasons Miami is no exception. This hotel is cooly elegant and immaculately maintained, with an elite fitness center, sophisticated steakhouse, and two large and lovely pool areas. Modern rooms are spacious with big, luxurious bathrooms; some have expansive water views. It's an ideal choice for a conference or business traveler crash pad, but the Financial District location makes it a bit less ideal for a romantic retreat or kid-friendly vacation. Note that fees like Wi-Fi and valet parking can add up quickly.
Located on the topmost floors of the JW Marriott building, the 44-room Hotel Beaux Arts, Autograph Collection is a luxury property in Downtown Miami's Financial District. Aside from an exclusive dining and lounge area, all features are shared with the JW Marriott, making the high-tech, luxe rooms here the biggest differentiators between the two hotels. Rooms have iPads, marble bathrooms with separate bathtubs and showers, and floor-to-ceiling windows with excellent views. A daily fee gives guests access to an indoor basketball court, virtual golf and bowling, an outdoor pool, and gym. An upscale Mediterranean restaurant, casual cafe, and coffee bar are on-site as well. For a larger pool and more kid-friendly environment, consider the Four Seasons Hotel Miami.
Located on the topmost floors of the JW Marriott building, the 44-room Hotel Beaux Arts, Autograph Collection is a luxury property in Downtown Miami's Financial District. Aside from an exclusive dining and lounge area, all features are shared with the JW Marriott, making the high-tech, luxe rooms here the biggest differentiators between the two hotels. Rooms have iPads, marble bathrooms with separate bathtubs and showers, and floor-to-ceiling windows with excellent views. A daily fee gives guests access to an indoor basketball court, virtual golf and bowling, an outdoor pool, and gym. An upscale Mediterranean restaurant, casual cafe, and coffee bar are on-site as well. For a larger pool and more kid-friendly environment, consider the Four Seasons Hotel Miami.
Secluded on an island overlooking Brickell Bay, the 326-room Mandarin Oriental offers a private retreat for couples, business travelers, and anyone else seeking an escape from the crowd. Chic, Asian-inspired decor, a three-level spa, and modern fitness center help soothe jangled nerves, while oversized rooms with water views offer ample opportunity to decompress. Unfortunately, all is not bliss here: Occasional reports of rude, untrained staff members and spotty housekeeping have disrupted the inner peace of some guests and South Beach is a cab ride away.
Secluded on an island overlooking Brickell Bay, the 326-room Mandarin Oriental offers a private retreat for couples, business travelers, and anyone else seeking an escape from the crowd. Chic, Asian-inspired decor, a three-level spa, and modern fitness center help soothe jangled nerves, while oversized rooms with water views offer ample opportunity to decompress. Unfortunately, all is not bliss here: Occasional reports of rude, untrained staff members and spotty housekeeping have disrupted the inner peace of some guests and South Beach is a cab ride away.
A fine-tuned hospitality machine, Miami's JW Marriott nears perfection -- flawless service, comfortable rooms, and great amenities. (Or at least it beats the Conrad, Hilton's competition down the road.) Sure, it's styled like an office building, but that makes it easy to get some work done.
A fine-tuned hospitality machine, Miami's JW Marriott nears perfection -- flawless service, comfortable rooms, and great amenities. (Or at least it beats the Conrad, Hilton's competition down the road.) Sure, it's styled like an office building, but that makes it easy to get some work done.