Miami

[ex-XL-in-exile]

Evening all

I wonder if anybody can help: I have reason to be in Miami on May 24 next year for three nights. Can anybody recommend a good hotel close to the International Airport? Also, a couple of decent restaurant recommedations would be great too... Specifically steakhouses....

I could, of course, Google the night away; infact I will be doing; but there's nothing better than a personal recommendation. My eyes are drawn to the aptly-named Miami International Airport Hotel.

I have a budget fitting a 200-odd hour wet-behind-the-ears FO. Cheers

[Romeo Delta]

The area around MIA is not the classiest... Okay, aside from South Beach, there's not MUCH classy about Miami. (Can you tell I'm not a fan? I live on the Gulf Coast. Miami is like another country to many of us.)

The MIA Hotel is attached to the Airport (obviously). Never stayed there, but it looks okay from what I've seen of the lobby area. A good alternative is the Wyndham Airport (also on the airport property). There are also a couple hotels across the highway to the south, facing the runways. One of them is a budget all-suite hotel that I've stayed at a couple times (not sure of the name any more, as it's changed a time or two). It's in a business area, so much better area than many of the other hotels.

Another option to look at, if you have the time, is to get a hotel in the Coral Gables area. Hyatt, Sheraton, etc., are down there, and rates are reasonable. The Miracle Mile is a great place to walk around and soak up the local atmosphere. And if you're looking for good restaurants, that's the place to be. (Drive to the airport from there is also not too far; 15-30 min at the most.)

Best of luck to you, and enjoy Miami (as much as you can)!

[cjhants]

i have stayed at the hotel in the terminal - curtesy of VS when they overbooked a flight. was pretty good, and the restaurant overlooking the airfield ( think it was called top of the port) was good and inexpensive too, with good views of the runways, if you like that sort of thing.

have stayed in a hotel on the perimiter, first one we walked out of (looked like something out of pulp fiction) and the other one (days inn or similar) was not much better. much better quality out towards the beaches, but can get a bit pricy out there.

[jimbeetle]

If you have to stay at the airport I'd strongly suggest one of the hotels just south of it as at least you have a bit of a water view. Just checked and the Hilton on the Blue Lagoon is going for USD 104 per night starting May 24th. That's not bad at all.

Since May is the end of the shoulder season, beginning of the off season down there, you should be able to find quite a few comparable deals.

Coral Gables? Not too far from the airport and most parts seem to be a world away from Miami. Great area.

[paulc]

Spent a few nights at the Embassy Suites at MIA (not far from George T Baker aviation school)- impressed with hotel. Have stayed in the terminal hotel but was not impressed and it was pricey.