Element Miami International Airport

Large, stylishly decorated interior spaces and eco-friendly designs make the Element Miami International Airport seem a bit chicer than your average mid-range airport hotel. The hotel was constructed using sustainable materials, gaining the approval of the US Green Building Council. Bright windows provide natural light in the stylish lobby, where there’s a lounge with a flat-screen TV and newspapers. As an extended-stay hotel, many of the guests here are long-term visitors in town on business or to visit patients at the nearby Jackson Memorial Hospital. However, due to its close proximity to the airport, the five-story Element attracts plenty of overnight transit passengers.

The hotel is located next to Palmer Lake, a six-minute shuttle ride to the airport, in an otherwise isolated location. In the immediate area are offices, a rental car company, a limousine service, and warehouses. The hotel runs two shuttles: one to the airport and a second shuttle that stops at restaurants within a three-mile radius. A Taco Bell, a McDonald’s, a Wendy’s, and a Cuban restaurant are within a four-minute drive.

It's 12 minutes to the Jackson Memorial Hospital by car while the Miami Central Station is a 10-minute walk away. Driving to Dolphin Mall takes 20 minutes.The city's old Coconut Grove neighborhood is a 20-minute drive or 45 minutes by public transportation. South Miami is a 25-minute drive or a 40-minute Metrorail ride.

Rooms are stylish and make efficient use of space, with rotating flat-screen TVs on cabinets attached to writing desks. Standard Rooms, Studios, One-Bedroom Suites, Executive Corner Suites, and Accessible Rooms are available, some with lake views. All come with flat-screen TVs, DVD players, irons, and safes, and cribs are available on request. Kitchens offer eco-friendly dish soap, refrigerators, coffeemakers, toasters, microwaves, dishwashers, and stoves. Sitting areas have contemporary sofas. Sleek bathrooms provide mounted toiletries in walk-in showers.  One-bedroom suites have dining tables and two flat-screen TVs. Pets are allowed for free and discounts are offered for extended stays. Note that planes fly directly overhead, and some guests have complained of air-traffic noise. 

The Element's business corner in the lobby features dark-wood shelves and a long desk with two PCs and a printer. There are also two additional standing workstations with tablet computers and printers.

The sleek pool is relaxing (despite airplanes flying overhead) and large enough to swim laps. It's surrounded by hedges and flanked by lounge chairs and a few umbrellas. There’s also a barbecue terrace beside the pool, with stylish patio furniture, cushioned bench seating, and a grill. The hotel also has a large gym with modern cardio equipment, weights, a flat-screen TV, fresh towels, and free fruit. 

A free buffet breakfast is served daily in the modern Rise breakfast room. There’s also a market selling snacks, chilled drinks, and wine. The Restore pantry is open 24-hours a day, and sells groceries. A free happy hour is held Monday through Thursday and features cocktails and canapes. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel but there's a fee for parking and luggage storage.