hotel recommendation in Miami for 1 night

[halfmonkey]

Sorry if this has been asked but it seems my search results came back with information not specific to my situation so I'll try asking here.

We're flying into Miami on the day before our cruise so we'll need to book a hotel for one night. It seems Miami airport and the RCL cruise terminal is quite close to each other. For those that have done the drill, do you have any tips or recommendations on where to stay in Miami? If there is a hotel that offers a free shuttle from the airport and then a free shuttle to the cruise terminal, that would be awesome so if you know of some, please share. Otherwise, I guess it'll be ride shares for us (family of 5.)

Kids still don't know we're going so planning and not being able to talk about it openly at home is a little bit challenging sometimes.

Thanks in advance.

 

[jenushkask8s]

If you want to stay near the port, we liked the Intercontinental Miami.

We'll be staying at The Elser (which is new) in a couple of weeks before boarding Icon.

Neither offers a port shuttle but ride share was pretty quick and cheap from the Intercontinental.

 

[NJMomto2]

If you want to stay near the port, we liked the Intercontinental Miami.

We'll be staying at The Elser (which is new) in a couple of weeks before boarding Icon.

Neither offers a port shuttle but ride share was pretty quick and cheap from the Intercontinental.

Hi - which departure - going Jul 6th on Icon and also staying at Elser

 

[jenushkask8s]

Hi - which departure - going Jul 6th on Icon and also staying at Elser

We sailed in May and had a great stay there (and an amazing time on Icon)!

We're going back on Icon October 19 but will be staying at Yotel Miami the night before because we snagged an amazing rate thru ticketsatwork.

 

[Dug720]

I have pretty simple tastes.

I like the Hampton Inn & Suites Miami Airport South Blue Lagoon. It's recently redone. There is a Publix, a Walgreens, and a CVS within a block - so you can pick up wine, snacks, stuff you forgot (or sunscreen if you don't want to deal with checking a bag). And a Wendy's, Burger King, and a Cuban fast food place also in walking distance.

They have a free shuttle from MIA and do offer (for a fee...I forget how much) a shuttle to the Port of Miami. Not sure about Port Everglades. I just grab an Uber to either.

 

[Frozen2014]

We've stayed at Hampton Inn & Suites before in Blue Lagoon with free shuttle from airport (notfree to the cruise port - not sure you would find that...esp for airport hotels). As poster mentioned above, it's convenient with a Publix and CVS near by, and a few fast food restaurants.

As an alternative, we like Hampton Inn & Suites in Brickell. It's closer to the port and the area is really nice with restaurants. Plus, it's near the (free) Metro mover if you have time in the day and want to get around. For our next cruise, this one was a bit pricey but we booked Homewood Suites in Brickell so same area.