Need advice on lodging in Miami while...

Author Message   Del Fougner New member Username: Delarmy Post Number: 2 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Saturday, January 20, 2007 - 11:56 am:    Sorry for the slow Thank You. Will let everyone know how it goes once we get back!   Doris Noblet Senior Member Username: Dorknob Post Number: 716 Registered: 09-2003 Posted on Sunday, January 14, 2007 - 08:52 pm:    Del, this is my daughter's email to me. Didn't expect her to write so much, but I hope it helps. "We stayed at (Marriott's) Springhill Suites Miami Airport South. I reserved it based on price, location, free airport shuttle, free continental breakfast and I earn Alaska air miles with their program. I also got the AAA rate. We stayed one night before and 2 nights after our cruise. We enjoyed the stay. Everyone was very friendly. They arranged a van to take us to the port of Miami instead of calling a cab. It was $10 per person. The shuttle driver talked us into the Doral van service due to cab fares increasing while you're waiting in traffic, etc. I was previously given an estimate of cab fare being $15 to 20, so we may have paid more using Doral, but at least we knew it was a flat rate. After the cruise, there are plenty of options available at the port (and waiting) for post-cruise transportation. I would stay there again, but I would rent a car if it's for more than a day. We had time to waste and there isn't anything within walking distance. We relied on the shuttle to take us to an area with fast food restaurants, a grocery store, a CVS and a Walgreen's one afternoon. The front desk has a list of about 10 restaurants they'll shuttle to and from. *Try La Rosa for good-sized portions of home-cooked Cuban food!* Small and noisy on the Friday night we went, but delicious! The Hereford Restaurant is around the corner, but TOO expensive! WOW! We should have taken them up on their offer to look at the menu before we were seated. Oh, the hotel also has an outdoor pool - a heated outdoor pool - which seemed strange. My mild sunburn actually hurt; the water was warmer than any bath I've taken lately. Another plus was the fact we asked for and received early check-in (around 7am after our flight from Alaska, 9:30am after the cruise). I'd also recommend the rooms overlooking the lake, not the highway (or 4-lane street). It's a small man-made lake; nights are quiet, but Saturday afternoon was a little noisy because of ski-doos running around. Breakfast was good: waffles, egg patties, sausage, muffins, bagels, toast, cereal, oatmeal, fruit, yogurt, milk. Coffee is available 24/7."   Doris Noblet Senior Member Username: Dorknob Post Number: 715 Registered: 09-2003 Posted on Sunday, January 14, 2007 - 06:58 pm:    Del, my daughter and her family took a cruise out of Miami earlier this month. I think they stayed at Springhill Suites. I've sent her an email to ask her if she would recommend it. Will pass the info on to you when I receive her reply.   Del Fougner New member Username: Delarmy Post Number: 1 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Sunday, January 14, 2007 - 03:17 pm:    My wife, Tula, and I are planning a cruise from Miami to Barcelona which leaves Miami on 21 April 07. We would like to arrive in Miami a day early and stay in a hotel near the port. We will be leaving from the port on Dodge Island near the Bayside Market. Any suggestions on a reasonably priced, clean hotel to flop in for the night? Also, any suggestions for a one night layover in Barcelona? We are cruising on the Voyager of the Seas (Royal Caribbean). Plan to enjoy the 12 night cruise and once in Spain make our way slowly down to Rota for a space-a hop back to Dover or Norfolk. We're always open to others experiences and advice. Thanks!!