The Holiday Inn Miami Airport

For a quick stay in Miami, Florida, you might be tempted to book a night at an inexpensive hotel such as Holiday Inn. We did so via Priceline, and for a great price of $60 figured we had scored a good deal. Following is our review.

Location

The location of the Holiday Inn Miami Airport is extremely convenient to the airport rental car entrance and exit, and you will not have to take a taxi far if that is your transportation of choice. If your priority is to be close the airport then this hotel will fit the bill.

On the downside, it is located on an odd corner which is not always easy to navigate, especially for those unfamiliar with the area. Be sure you understand where you’re going before you set out; if you miss the turn it will take a while to get yourself turned around. Additionally, there is not much to do within walking distance, as the hotel is fairly isolated in its own little section between on and off ramps. The fact that it backs onto a river accentuates this isolation.

The Hotel

The Holiday Inn Miami Airport is billed as a 3 or 4 star hotel, depending upon which review website or book you refer to. We found it to barely fill the promise of a 3 star. While it technically offers certain amenities, such as a tiny internet desk, a concierge desk and in-room amenities such as maid service, toiletries and a phone, this is where it ends. We found the hotel to be run-down, with peeling paint in even the common areas, musty smelling rooms and a damp, dark overall feel. We were a little surprised to see that even in the public washroom in the lobby, there was a wall of peeling paint and a naked light bulb. To their credit, they were renovating when we visited so it’s possible that things have improved somewhat.

Overall, we have found there to be better value hotels in the greater Miami area for the same price. For instance, within the same month we stayed at the Hyatt hotel in downtown Miami – through Priceline at $60 – and we enjoyed far more amenities, a better location with more dining and entertainment options (both within the hotel and in walking distance) and a vastly better room, as well as a welcoming and spacious lobby area. Admittedly, the Hyatt is neither near the airport nor does it offer 5 star luxury, but it is just an example of an option that is available at the same price for those who look, and is light years above in terms of the overall experience.

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