Large, well-equipped gym on-site
Olympic-size pool and huge Jacuzzi
Kitchens available in suites and condo rentals
Bay view rooms come with balconies that overlook Biscayne Bay
Room service and an extensive mini-bar available
20-minute cab ride from Miami International Airport
Less clean rooms than most Downtown hotels
In-room Wi-Fi is charged per day
All amenities are shared with building residents
10-minute taxi to the beach in South Beach
Located inside "the Grand" -- a business district complex of offices, condos, convenience shops, and five so-so restaurants -- the 152-room Doubletree is a good but not great choice. It has an Olympic-size pool, a huge Jacuzzi, and a modern gym, but cleanliness is questionable and the rooms are mediocre. Nearby, the similarly priced Hyatt Regency offers bigger, cleaner rooms.
Scene
Guests of the Doubletree rub shoulders with residents and shoppers of the Grand -- a giant complex that sort of feels like a suburban mall. Nearly all of the hotel’s features, including the gym, bars, and restaurants, are outsourced to shopping center leasees.
The Doubletree Grand is within a towering complex called the Grand, which houses condominiums, offices, convenience shops, and restaurants in addition to the hotel's 152 rooms. It's in a sleepy section of Downtown Miami, so while some rooms and restaurants in the complex enjoy stunning views of Biscayne Bay, the hotel feels a bit like a suburban mall.Business travelers pass through the lobby, knowingly grabbing their welcome cookie and checking in with their HHonors points. Occasional couples and families wander the Grand's shopping area, while residents shuttle in and out of the building in running gear or with their dogs, giving a familiar nod to the concierge as they key card their way into the condo complex.In other words, it doesn't really feel like a vacation resort. The concierge is outside of the hotel lobby, restaurants and amenities like the salon and convenience shops are attached but not exclusive to the hotel, and a melee of business travelers, cruise ship passengers, and people passing through Miami seem to have come here for a convenient, relatively inexpensive hotel. The Doubletree is a chain, and as with all good chains, you have an idea of what you can expect: clean but bland rooms with room service menus, cable TV, and the Hilton's signature Sweet Dreams beds.
Location
Located in Downtown Miami, which attracts mostly business travelers -- and there's no beach nearby.
The hotel is part of a complex of shops, restaurants, offices, and condominiums called the Grand, which faces Biscayne Bay and is connected by a direct hallway to the Marriott Biscayne Bay hotel. The surrounding area is safe and close to the financial district but fairly dull at night and on the weekends. Most guests are here for business.It's super-close to the Miami International Airport -- just a 20-minute ride away. It's right next to the Venetian Way Bridge, and it takes about 10 minutes to get to South Beach.TK Area Guide
Rooms
Rooms are medium-size and haven't been renovated for a while. They all contain the uniform Doubletree amenities: Sweet Dreams beds, Neutrogena bath products, free coffee, and a no-frills minibar. Views range from bleak to beautiful, so a bay view upgrade can be well worth it.
The Doubletree Grand has 152 rooms and suites as well as 60 condominium units (also available to book, and come fully furnished with free Wi-Fi). Guest rooms are available with either a single king-size bed or two double beds, and suites of several variations are available. Condo units have two bedrooms and full kitchens; they come fully furnished and feature free Wi-Fi. Bugs have also been an issue in the past.All room types are also differentiated by view. Bay or city views are available -- bay view rooms have balconies with tables and chairs. The city view rooms have sliding doors that look out onto tiny concrete balconies. While bay view rooms and suites do cost more, the views are considerably better.Bathrooms have full-size bathtubs with shower curtains and regular shower heads. The shower and toilet are separate from the vanity area. All bathrooms have a single sink, even in the suites. Neutrogenabath products are provided, and they include shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, and soap.- Doubletree's signature Sweet Dreams bed comes in every room. It's basically a pillow-top mattress, down comforters, and lots of pillows. Given the price of rooms here, the beds are of good quality, but they're not luxury hotel beds.
Features
An Olympic sized pool, large Jacuzzi, in-room WiFi, meeting rooms, and access to a well-equipped gym are the highlights here. Shops and restaurants in The Grand are easily accessible.
An Olympic-size, heated pool and very large Jacuzzi are located on the 10th-floor deck overlooking the bay. Guests share access with the condo residents, and the pool scene is pretty quiet -- it feels more like a condo than a hotel. Only a handful of guests took advantage of it while we were there. The pool bar was abandoned, and there's no poolside service. No towels are provided, so you'll have to bring the bath towels from your room.The hotel is located in the Grand complex, which, along with offices and condos, has a small salon, pharmacy, and convenience shop that cater to building residents more than tourists.The complex also houses Joe & Jackie Lupo's Fitness Center, which guests may access for free with their room key. Equipment is in good condition, and the cardio machines face large windows overlooking the bay. There's also a separate room for calisthenics and stretching.Like at all Doubletree properties, every guest gets a free, warm chocolate chip cookie upon check-in.
Family
Like most downtown hotels, the hotel is geared more toward business travelers than families. But the pool is huge, the spacious suites and condo units are well suited to families, and some of the restaurants in the shopping complex have kids' menus.
Downtown is more about business than family vacations, but if you're looking for a good family pick in the area, the Doubletree is about as good as it gets.This is a quiet hotel, and the suites and condo units are especially good for families with their extra bedrooms and, in some cases, kitchens. Standard rooms can also fit cribs and rollaway beds, both charged per stay.The Olympic-size pool is about the biggest Downtown (not counting the Four Seasons), and it even includes a very small children's play area near the pool deck.Kid-friendly food options are available in the Grand or next door at the Marriott. The room service menu has basics like pasta, pizza, and burgers, and I did spot a kids' menu at one of the restaurants in the Grand. The featured restaurant Tony Chan's, however, is probably not the best bet for kids.
All-Inclusive / Food
The Grand houses several restaurants, suiting various budgets and tastes. Room service from the Doubletree's own kitchen is also available also.
Bay View Room
City View Room
Grand Suite
Junior Suite
One Bedroom Condo
Two Bedroom Condo
United States