I just wanted to say hi to everyone!!! I've been lurking here & on facebook for awhile, but haven't jumped in on any conversations!! I decided that I needed to do some research tonight & decide on a hotel for our night prior to the cruise. I've been putting it off.......haven't decided yet. Has anyone else booked a room in Miami???
I have three reservations and need to figure out which one we are keeping!
First is at Holiday Inn University Coral Gables. Main reason for this one...Univ of Miami is my alma mater. We are getting in on Friday evening so I can spend Saturday at the bookstore and just wandering around campus (and meeting up with friends down there).
I also have reservations at La Quinta Inn & Suites Airport East and Comfort Inn & Suites Airport North. Both of those have free shuttles to the port (but not for a return - they do for return only if you are spending the night after the cruise as well).
Which one I keep will depend on things such as renting cars (one-way for each leg) vs. driving our own, parking needs during the cruise, etc.
As for ratings on the hotels...the Holiday Inn is going through renovations right now. Back during my time in Miami (in the mid 90's) it was a decent place to stay...more recent reviews are less than thrilling, but I think with the updates it should be a good place once again. From what I understand the updates should be done by October.
The other two hotels by the airport both have decent reviews on TripAdvisor, with the Comfort Suites Airport North having some really good reviews! (The cost is just slightly higher than La Quinta.)
Oh, by the way...welcome aboard!