Cruise Hotels Near PortMiami (Port of Miami) and Miami Airport
The hotel choices near PortMiami can be overwhelming especially for first-time cruisers who are concerned not only about costs but also about safety. In this article I list the most popular areas in Miami to book a hotel for your next cruise.
Much have changed in Miami in recent years and some of the internet stories about crime are simply not true anymore but visitors should remain cautious and book wisely!
Please open my PortMiami Mapto see the locations of these hotels as well as other important information such as public transportation routes (metrovers, Metrorail and trolleys)
The Four Most Popular Cruise Hotel Clusters
Here are the four most popular areas (or hotel clusters) to consider when booking your cruise hotel.
Miami Airport Hotel Clusters
Brickell Hotel Clusters
Downtown Hotel Clusters
Omni (Arts & Entertainment District) Hotel Clusters
Miami Airport Hotel Clusters
Miami Airport Hotel Map
With over 50 hotels to choose from, the Miami Airport area is a popular choice for cruisers for many reasons.
Rates can be more affordable than elsewhere, airport transportation is mostly free and most of the hotels are very familiar to cruisers. Frequent travels can easily use their loyalty perks to secure complimentary rooms or upgrades; not so simple for beach or downtown properties!
The urban Brickell District is my favorite location for pre-and post cruise stays!
Known by some as the “Manhattan of the South”, Brickell was once known mainly as a financial district but it has grown into a residential hotspot with spiraling skyscrapers!
I love Brickell’s safe walkability, access to free public transport, outdoor and indoor shopping, vibrant nightlife, fabulous restaurants and proximity to Downtown and PortMiami.
If you want to stay near PortMiami with views of the cruise ships then look no further than Downtown Miami!
The Bayside Marketplace and areas immediately to its south and west are very visitor-friendly with easy access to sightsee companies and public transportation services.
Some hotels are surprisingly affordable making Downtown Miami my second choice for cruise hotels.
The old OMNI district is being transformed into a modern Arts and Entertainment District connecting the Arts and Design District (to the north) and Downtown (to the south).
While the area does not (yet) have the vibrant style of Brickell for example, the hotels are skyscrapers, giving you fabulous views of the Miami skyline and Port.
Miami International Airport hotels are popular with cruise enthusiasts and business travelers alike, often for similar reasons. In this article I discuss the most popular cruise hotels at or near Miami International Airport.
Most airport hotels are part of national chains, they are familiar, they are generally more affordable than Downtown hotels, it is easier to use frequent stay perks such as complementary nights and upgrades, airport transfers are free and PortMiami is just under 10 miles away.
It is busy around Miami Airport!
Do be aware the airport is always expanding and construction never stops around its perimeter. For example, in 2020 there are plenty of road and building activity on the east side near the MIA Rental Car Center.
TIP – While PortMiami appears to take about 15 minutes by taxi, give yourself about 30 minutes because traffic near the airport can be heavy.
Nothing interesting nearby
With the exception of the Blue Lagoon area on the south side of the airport, do not expect much in terms of scenery and landscaping. The airport is surrounded by industrial buildings, lower-income housing and busy highways.
VERY IMPORTANT – Miami Airport Hotel Pickup/Drop Locations
Hotel shuttle vans have designated areas for pick/drop operations at the airport and it is your responsibility to go these areas. The vans cannot stop everywhere!
The pickup/drop location is downstairs on the Arrivals Level (1), at designated zones outside of baggage claim across from doors 1,2,3,4,7,15,20 & 23. Please follow signage at curbside to the “bus zones”. You must use the crosswalks and walk across to the bus zones.
Miami Airport Hotel Shuttles Map – note the purple crosswalks (click to enlarge)
The Miami Airport Hotel Clusters
Before discussing the individual hotels and their locations, it is useful to understand the layout of the airport and general hotel areas. In other words, where are the clusters of hotels located?
Please refer to the featured image above as you read the next sections.
IMPORTANT – The photos below are not meant to showcase each hotel! These were taken to show the areas and neighborhoods and sidewalks and roads! It is about what you will experience when you walk outside!
Also, until COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, many standard and expected hotel amenities are restricted. No airport shuttles in many cases, no restaurant service, etc.
Miami International Airport Hotel
This popular airport hotel is located right before the security checkpoint on the 2nd floor in Central Terminal Concourse E. A great choice if you arrive late the night before your cruise!
Blue Lagoon Hotels
On the south side of the airport are several lakes in a office park/residental setting. This is the most scenic hotel cluster and if you want a more quiet setting in a leafy area then choose the Hilton, Homewood Suites, Pullman or Hyatt House .
Blue Lagoon Hotels Map (click to enlarge)
The Hampton Inn is nearby but on a very busy street corner however you will be across the street from Airpark Plaza Mall with restaurants, Publix, Starbucks and other shops.
Hampton Inn – Blue Lagoon Shops – Miami Airport
You can easily walk to this Mall from Hyatt House but Homewood or Pullman (0.5 miles) and especially the Hilton (0.8 miles) will be a bit far in the Florida heat.
Homewood Suites – Blue Lagoon Hilton Hotel – Blue LagoonPullman Hotel – Blue LagoonHyatt House – Blue Lagoon
Lake Mahar Hotels (marketed as Blue Lagoon properties)
To the west of Blue Lagoon near the SW corner of the airport, this area is being upgraded with new residential apartments. It is also home to several hotels but there is nothing within easy walking distance unless you stay at the Doubletree.
Lake Mahar Hotels Map – Miami Airport (click to enlarge)
You will be traveling away from PortMiami if you overnight in this area, meaning a longer ride from the airport and also to the Port the following day.
Extended Stay America – Lake Mahar (Blue Lagoon)
Springhill Suites and Cambria Suites offer lake views from the south-facing rooms while Extended Stay America has a few north-facing rooms overlooking Lake Joanne.
Springhill-Cambria-Lake Mahar
The Doubletree and Days Inn are surrounded by highways and airport roads! But the Doubletree is connected to the Miami Merchandise Mart – an interesting indoor outlet-type shopping center. Reviews are mixed so check the website before going!
Doubletree Hotel – Lake MaharDoubletree Hotel – Lake Mahar (Mart to the right)Days Inn – Miami Airport West
Doral Hotels
Be aware these hotels are in the “wrong direction” meaning you will be driving away from PortMiami should you stay in Doral. This makes for a longer ride from the airport to the hotel and to the Port the next day.
A dozen or so hotels are located in the Doral area NW of the airport. But first, let’s travel a short distance south along the Palmetto Expressway to 25th Street where you will find an Extended Stay America next to the highway.
Next door to the hotel at The Shops at MICC are pretty good local eateries, especially La Crema De Las Empanada (even better if you enjoy Venezuelan food)! I mention this because folks often want hotels within walking distance of local favorites.
The Hotels
Returning north to the very busy corner of Palmetto and NW 36th St, you will find many hotels.
Miami Airport – Doral Hotels Map (click to enlarge)
The Hyatt Place and Hampton Inn are next to Boykin Center, one of the better strip malls in the airport area. I recommend you consider these hotels if you want a decent selection of restaurants and shops within easy and safe walking distance. You may even run into Carnival Cruise Line employees at this mall because their corporate office is a few blocks west.
Hampton Inn – DoralBoykin Shops in Doral – Miami Airport
You can also walk to Boykin Center from Wingate, Courtyard and Quality Inn but you have to cross busy roads.
Courtyard by Marriott – DoralQuality Inn – DoralWingate by Wyndham – Doral
East of Palmetto a bit closer the airport are Four Points, Garden Inn and Homewood Suites in a secluded corner surrounded by highways and industry.
Homewood Suites – DoralFour Points by Sheraton – DoralHilton Garden Inn – Doral
Their neighbor the Motel 6 is a bit closer to the West Airport Shopping Centre but you have to cross the very busy NW 36th St., making these hotels somewhat isolated.
Motel 6 – DoralWest Airport Shopping Center – Doral
On the mall side of 36th St is La Quinta in a good location if you want to explore the strip mall but frankly do not expect much.
La Quinta Hotel – Doral
Aloft Hotel is across the street a bit further east with nothing nearby except for Chipotle.
Aloft Hotel Miami Airport – Doral
Airport North Hotels
More than a dozen hotels line the busy NW 36th St close to Miami Springs. In general the room rates are lower in this cluster so you may want to start here if you want to stay as cheap as possible near the airport.
Candlewood Suites – Miami Airport NorthClarion Inn – Miami Airport NorthDays Inn – Miami Airport North
Nothing stands out in terms of restaurants or shops. You can buy liquor and wine at Airport Café and Liquors (they do serve good food too!) but it may be many blocks from your hotel. Be careful after dark.
Holiday Inn Express – Miami Airport NorthEB Hotel – Miami Airport NorthRamada – Miami Airport North
The north-facing rooms of Best Western and Sleep Inn overlook a golf course making them a bit more attractive.
Airport East Hotels
This is a popular area on the PortMiami side of the airport – divided into hotels north of the MIA Rental Car Center and hotels south of the Center.
Unfortunately, this area is industrial and does not offer much in terms of shopping, restaurants and activities. Higher floors do have good views of the airport terminals and the Downtown Miami skyline.
On the NE corner of the airport, the Red Roof Inn, Hampton Inn, La Quinta, Hyatt Place, Embassy Suites and Holiday Inn are isolated. Surrounded by busy highways there is nowhere to go unless you walk to the hotel next door!
Miami Airport East Hotels Map (click to enlarge)Red Roof Inn – Miami AirportHampton Inn – Miami Airport EastLa Quinta Hotel – Miami Airport EastHyatt Place – Miami Airport EastEmbassy Suites – Miami Airport East
Surrounding the MIA Rental Car Center is a Holiday Inn Express, Element, Staybridge, Sheraton, EVEN Hotel and Radisson Red (upcoming). Nothing nearby however and walking is very inconvenient with all the industry, trucks and airport business traffic.
And it feels as if the aircraft is right next door! Exciting actually!
Element Hotel – Miami Airport EastStaybridge Suites – Miami Airport EastHoliday Inn Express – Miami Airport EastSheraton Hotel – Miami Airport East
The Marriott Campus
Marriott Campus Map – Miami Airport (click to enlarge)
On the SE corner of the airport is a group of hotels commonly referred to as the Marriott Campus with a Residence Inn, Courtyard, Townplace and Marriott sharing a city block.
Marriott Hotel Center – Miami Airport
The campus is flanked by a lower-income residential neighborhood and a busy road – 42nd Avenue. There are security walls on the east and south sides. You can walk through the neighborhood to the large Central Shopping Plaza but I will avoid walking after dark.
This is a busy area!
Central Shopping Plaza – Miami
Latin Café 2000 is on 42nd Avenue near the hotels and highly recommended!
Marriott Hotel Area – Latin Cafe is in frontBooking.com