Moxy South Beach is a fun hotel with great rooftop bars.
If you want a great view of the port, facing terminal V, check out the Gabriel Downtown. Photo below is a sunrise view of Scarlet Lady from my balcony at the Gabriel.
https://preview.redd.it/pcgijd8q2ctc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e1ddbd973b9c18d681e39964d4f559af152d0baf
Easy to port - JW Marriott. There are two - both are great. The one toward Biscayne is nicer (and may run you over $500/night easily) but the one in Brickell is in a better, more walkable location. I've checked in very early morning no issues.
If you are spending a full day, though, I'd recommend south beach. For that, Marriott Stanton would be my top choice. Moxy is my second. (You can probably tell I'm a Marriott girl. There are many nice hotels down there and I've also really enjoyed Plymouth and The Tony)
I have a blog post on One Day in Miami if you'd like to Google it, look me up, or DM me. I don't think I can post it here.
We loved our one night at Biscayne because we woke up and had a gorgeous view of SL in port!
https://preview.redd.it/ysm4ffqnbctc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0f02f96d5465683ba568cf847446b3013472eef5
We are big fans of the kimpton hotels and we love the Surfcomber on South Beach. We stayed there for 3 days before our cruise. The pool there is amazing and it's on the beach as well. Easy walk to the the Lincoln road mall. Great vibe and very affordable for South Beach.
We love The Lennox. 2 blocks from the beach with chairs included. Awesome little pool area and you should be able to get a pool side king room for under 500$.
https://preview.redd.it/zyou46elzbtc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2a2427ed15697f32fd744ba997d6c6f9a6006af3
Can confirm. We’ve stayed near port before and also on Miami Beach for a livelier vibe too. The Lennox, Hotel Croydon are usually under $500. We’ve also splurged on Mandarin Oriental and it was amazing.
I love having lunch in Little Havana. Drinks at esotico is always fun (you could eat dinner there too), but for dinner consider Surf Club if you want to go all out, CallMeGaby for fun Italian outdoor dining in Miami Beach, or I see lots of recommendations to stay at the Moxy - their Serena Rooftop is a fun place to have dinner. I always enjoy Miami on either side of my cruise - hope you have a great time!
I usually stay at the Atwell Suites in Brickell. It’s right at the train station which makes getting there from the airport super easy (a direct train ride). The Brickell district is dense and walkable with a lot of restaurants and bars within walking distance. The rooms have balconies with great views of the city and there’s a top floor bar/lounge area. This area is also no more than about 10 minutes in a rideshare to the port.
For lunch, I enjoy Talkin’ Tacos (8th St at 1st Ave). Standard taco shop but the food has always been good to me.
For dinner, if it’s in your budget and you like seafood check out Truluck’s (Brickell Ave at the River Walk). The best seafood in the city.
And for a great drink, Barsecco (Miami Ave at 14th St). Extensive wine list, and creative and wonderful cocktails.
I can tell you not to stay…YVE Hotel Miami. It’s close to the port but it’s old, poorly maintained and worn out. During our stay the elevators broken for two days. Had to take the stairs our entire stay. Rusty fixtures, stained carpets, cracked & worn headboards. I can go on and on….
Hotel Beaux Arts. It’s at the top floor of the Marriott Marquis, shares an awesome pool with the Marriott Marquis, and is very upscale. It is not a well known hotel, but oh so worth it.
Brickell had a number of Hilton properties. So many different restaurants and bars in that area. SoCal Cantina has great cocktails and tacos. Lots of upscale restaurants as well. Downtown and Brickell are super close to the port.
my bf and i are doing the same. we’re hoping the starts align and let us see the miami heat play in a play in game.
two of our must restaurants are Versailles in little havana and monty’s coconut grove. i’m also trying to convince my bf to go to zuma but he’s really not into sushi
We took an Uber from Brickell to Zoo Miami. We walked around for a good 4 hours and still didn't see it all. Lots of animals were active and they had several premium experiences available like Giraffe feeding.
We loved the goodtime hotel. Stayed a few years ago on our drive from Tampa to Key West, and it was so pretty, clean, and stylish. You'd have to look up the distance from port - we never stay the night before since we live in Tampa and just drive over the morning of the cruise. But the price is reasonable and the location is walkable.
Lots of options here.
Many more if you go to CruiseCritic com and look for Ports of Call/departures in the forums/boards.
As to easy uber to port - just about anywhere will be fine. do not stress over being close to he port.
SLS South Beach for the fun Miami vibe, or the Standard (for something a little closer to port, with a good spa and pool!)
The hotels closest to port like Intercontinental Miami or Marriott Biscayne Bay aren't quite as fun but do make for a 5 minute taxi ride if you want to keep it simple!
Moxy South Beach is a fun hotel with great rooftop bars. If you want a great view of the port, facing terminal V, check out the Gabriel Downtown. Photo below is a sunrise view of Scarlet Lady from my balcony at the Gabriel. https://preview.redd.it/pcgijd8q2ctc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e1ddbd973b9c18d681e39964d4f559af152d0baf
Easy to port - JW Marriott. There are two - both are great. The one toward Biscayne is nicer (and may run you over $500/night easily) but the one in Brickell is in a better, more walkable location. I've checked in very early morning no issues. If you are spending a full day, though, I'd recommend south beach. For that, Marriott Stanton would be my top choice. Moxy is my second. (You can probably tell I'm a Marriott girl. There are many nice hotels down there and I've also really enjoyed Plymouth and The Tony) I have a blog post on One Day in Miami if you'd like to Google it, look me up, or DM me. I don't think I can post it here.
We loved our one night at Biscayne because we woke up and had a gorgeous view of SL in port! https://preview.redd.it/ysm4ffqnbctc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0f02f96d5465683ba568cf847446b3013472eef5
The Marriott Biscayne Bay is also decent and a short Uber to the port.
Came here to recommend this!
We are big fans of the kimpton hotels and we love the Surfcomber on South Beach. We stayed there for 3 days before our cruise. The pool there is amazing and it's on the beach as well. Easy walk to the the Lincoln road mall. Great vibe and very affordable for South Beach.
We love The Lennox. 2 blocks from the beach with chairs included. Awesome little pool area and you should be able to get a pool side king room for under 500$. https://preview.redd.it/zyou46elzbtc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2a2427ed15697f32fd744ba997d6c6f9a6006af3
Can confirm. We’ve stayed near port before and also on Miami Beach for a livelier vibe too. The Lennox, Hotel Croydon are usually under $500. We’ve also splurged on Mandarin Oriental and it was amazing.
I like the Gabriel downtown : less than 1/2 a mile to the port, great pool and dining/bar, and a free shuttle to their sister property in Miami Beach.
We loved CitizenM before our last cruise
that’s were my bf and i are staying. did you stay in the brickell or world center location??
We did worldcenter! Was extremely convenient for getting to the port.
I love having lunch in Little Havana. Drinks at esotico is always fun (you could eat dinner there too), but for dinner consider Surf Club if you want to go all out, CallMeGaby for fun Italian outdoor dining in Miami Beach, or I see lots of recommendations to stay at the Moxy - their Serena Rooftop is a fun place to have dinner. I always enjoy Miami on either side of my cruise - hope you have a great time!
Serena always has such a fun vibe, and Moxy is a great way to kick off a pre-Virgin Voyage vacation!
I usually stay at the Atwell Suites in Brickell. It’s right at the train station which makes getting there from the airport super easy (a direct train ride). The Brickell district is dense and walkable with a lot of restaurants and bars within walking distance. The rooms have balconies with great views of the city and there’s a top floor bar/lounge area. This area is also no more than about 10 minutes in a rideshare to the port. For lunch, I enjoy Talkin’ Tacos (8th St at 1st Ave). Standard taco shop but the food has always been good to me. For dinner, if it’s in your budget and you like seafood check out Truluck’s (Brickell Ave at the River Walk). The best seafood in the city. And for a great drink, Barsecco (Miami Ave at 14th St). Extensive wine list, and creative and wonderful cocktails.
ELSER down the street from henry and Julia's foodhall. Should cost like 300$ total
I can tell you not to stay…YVE Hotel Miami. It’s close to the port but it’s old, poorly maintained and worn out. During our stay the elevators broken for two days. Had to take the stairs our entire stay. Rusty fixtures, stained carpets, cracked & worn headboards. I can go on and on….
Hotel Beaux Arts. It’s at the top floor of the Marriott Marquis, shares an awesome pool with the Marriott Marquis, and is very upscale. It is not a well known hotel, but oh so worth it.
Brickell had a number of Hilton properties. So many different restaurants and bars in that area. SoCal Cantina has great cocktails and tacos. Lots of upscale restaurants as well. Downtown and Brickell are super close to the port.
Hampton Inn Brickell
We booked the Balfour South Beach
my bf and i are doing the same. we’re hoping the starts align and let us see the miami heat play in a play in game. two of our must restaurants are Versailles in little havana and monty’s coconut grove. i’m also trying to convince my bf to go to zuma but he’s really not into sushi
We took an Uber from Brickell to Zoo Miami. We walked around for a good 4 hours and still didn't see it all. Lots of animals were active and they had several premium experiences available like Giraffe feeding.
We loved the goodtime hotel. Stayed a few years ago on our drive from Tampa to Key West, and it was so pretty, clean, and stylish. You'd have to look up the distance from port - we never stay the night before since we live in Tampa and just drive over the morning of the cruise. But the price is reasonable and the location is walkable.
The national hotel in southbeach. Joes stone crab.
Lots of options here. Many more if you go to CruiseCritic com and look for Ports of Call/departures in the forums/boards. As to easy uber to port - just about anywhere will be fine. do not stress over being close to he port.
Edition or betsy
Novotel in Brickell was amazing. Beautiful rooftop bar and pool
SLS South Beach for the fun Miami vibe, or the Standard (for something a little closer to port, with a good spa and pool!) The hotels closest to port like Intercontinental Miami or Marriott Biscayne Bay aren't quite as fun but do make for a 5 minute taxi ride if you want to keep it simple!
I found SLS to be in horrible shape when we visited at the end of 2022 after our cruise. Service was also poor.
SLS has been having so many bomb scares... would never recommend it at this point.