Best Miami Cruise Port Hotels

With a downtown location near corporate offices and the Port of Miami, the Courtyard is a convenient mid-range option for a business trip or pre-cruise stay. The 14-story hotel is smoke-free and features an outdoor pool, workout room, self-service cafe and both self- and valet parking. Rooms are spacious, if generic, and come with free Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, and flat-screen TVs. This is a corporate chain hotel and the decor reflects that. The Port of Miami where cruise ships dock is a five-minute drive away.

The 200-room Holiday Inn Port of Miami-Downtown is a city gem for budget-conscious travelers, offering a prime location,outdoor pool, casual bar and grill, gym, and even same-day dry cleaning. Classic rooms have flat-screen TVs and mini-fridges, and some have Brickell Key views. However, some rooms do have outdated and worn decor, and the mid-range chain style isn't for everyone. The airport is 16 minutes away by car and the Port of Miami is a five-minute drive away.

Although designed to meet the needs of corporate guests and other short-stay travelers, the 221-room Hampton Inn & Suites seems to delight customers of every stripe. Guests praise the helpful staff, stylish, well-maintained ambience and location for its strolling distance to scores of downtown Miami restaurants. The free breakfast buffet is a Hampton chainwide standard but seems especially inviting here, thanks to a bright and cheerful eating area with enough elbow room around the wafflemaker to accommodate a full house. Contemporary rooms are very spacious and and have a bit more color and style than is typical for the chain. Overall, the hotel is a surprisingly appealing choice for guests en route to a cruise, flight or business meeting.

The 149-room River Park Hotel & Suites Downtown/Convention Center is an no-fuss budget hotel with classic decor, a pool, and a prime Miami River location that appeals to budget-conscious guests and cruise ship travelers. Traditional suites offer sitting areas and kitchenettes. However, some furnishings are outdated and worn and there's no Internet in the rooms, only the lobby. The hotel has a great location directly on the Miami River in downtown, right next to the Port of Miami and within two minutes' walk of the James L. Knight International Center.

The Comfort Suites is a mid-range chain hotel near the Miami International Airport. The hotel offers free 24-hour shuttles to the airport and to the Port of Miami, from which many cruises embark. All the spacious rooms are suites, including a seating area in addition to the bed(s), plus a big flat-screen TV, mini-fridge, and microwave. Located just beyond the airport complex, there is little around the hotel and the area is fairly unappealing to walk, but a free shuttle is provided to both the airport and the Port of Miami. The hotel is best suited for travelers looking to get in and out of town quickly, but its oversized rooms may be useful to families wanting to see Miami on a budget.

This huge 641-room downtown tower has been regularly renovated -- the lobby was redone in 2008, and guestrooms were refreshed in 2012. With its attentive (though somewhat overwhelmed) service, decent pool and reasonable gym and spa, it consistently attracts a busy crowd of business travelers and families.

The 160-room mid-range Aloft Miami Brickell is a trendy, modern hotel located on the edge of downtown Miami’s financial district near the James L. Knight International Center -- a convention, exhibition, and entertainment space --  making it a convenient choice for business travelers. The vibe is young, hip, and social, with plenty of common spaces, such as the 24-hour Re:fuel cafe, where guests can hang out or work using the free Wi-Fi. Rooms are spacious, clean, and creatively designed, with ergonomic work areas, and big, comfy beds. The Port of Miami, where the cruise ships dock, is about a 10-minute drive away (the hotel offers shuttle service for a fee).

The modern and sleek YVE Hotel Miami attracts business and cruise ship travelers because of the close proximity to the port of Miami and downtown area of the city. There's an on-site restaurant and bar, Biscayne Tavern, that serves gourmet burgers and seafood dishes. Rooms are clean with modern furniture and soothing colors (whites, blues, and grays), but some are on the smaller side and there have been complaints of noise from the hallway and adjoining rooms. The port of Miami is a 10-minute drive away and the hotel offers a shuttle there for a fee.