Miami Airport Marriott

Yes, it looks like a 1990s office-building from
the outside, but once inside, this is a colorful and mostly modern hotel that's
a fine place to pass a night on the way to or from nearby Miami International
Airport. Interiors are colorful and bright, if not exactly the epitome of chic
style (this is a Mariott, after all, and the corporate aesthetic is hard to shake).
Guests gather in the lobby on the orange and lime-green seating islands, often
with Starbucks cups in hand. Gold and silver-white glass globes dangle from the
ceiling like bubbles, adding a playful dynamic to the space. Blue-and-yellow carpeting
brings color to the otherwise plain-looking hallways. Outside, Dolphin Mall and airport shuttles are often parked under the porte cochere at
the front of the property, where well-maintained lawns and pathways lead to the
outdoor pool that’s shared with the Courtyard by Marriott Miami Airport South.
This hotel’s proximity to the airport and Port of Miami draws mostly business guests, or
travelers on stopovers. 

Situated on Northwest LeJeune Road, the hotel is two miles from the Miami International Airport, and offers a free shuttle that runs every 15 minutes. The drive to the airport only takes 10 minutes and is the main draw of staying here. Shuttles also go to the Dolphin Mall and, for a fee, to the Miami Port, which is 20 minutes away without traffic. This hotel is adjacent to the Melreese Golf Course, Grapeland Water Park, and Dolphin Expressway. It’s not the most attractive area of town, but there’s a nearby movie theater, Kmart, Walgreens, and fast-food restaurants. Without traffic, drives to South Beach and the AmericanAirlines Arena take 20 about minutes, though it can take up to 40 minutes at rush hour. The Miami Airport Convention Center is about a 20-minute drive from the hotel.

The rooms at this airport Marriott are a decent step up when compared to most in the area, just don't expect a bevy of sleek design features. Decor is suburban homey, with bright pops of color livening up the look. Orange chairs and bedspreads pop against dark-wood headboards and busy carpeting. Pale yellow walls are hung with color prints of Miami's signature Art Deco architecture, providing a bit of local flavor. All rooms have air-conditioning, irons, coffeemakers, ample work desks, a generous amount of power outlets, and flat-screen TVs with CNN, ESPN, and HBO. Guests can request cribs and extra beds as well as microwaves and mini-fridges.The hotel has several categories of rooms to choose from, but the style is uniform across the board with the only differences being the amenities offered. Most rooms are 310 square feet (29 square meters), making them reasonably spacious, and have either one king bed or two queen beds. M Club Rooms offer access to the club lounge, which includes free breakfast, snacks, drinks, and free iPad use. M Club Suites -- with 630 square feet (59 square meters) of space -- have separate living rooms and wet bars. Allergy-friendly rooms are also available. Bathrooms have wooden and marble vanities, shower/tub combos, hairdryers, and toiletries. 

The Marriott Miami Airport has nicely maintained landscaping that creates a tropical atmosphere at the outdoor pool and hot tub, set amid lounge chairs and palm trees -- this area is shared with the neighboring Courtyard by Marriott Miami Airport South, along with a large gym with a variety of modern cardio and pulley machines plus free weights. M Club Lounge is open 24 hours a day for Marriott Rewards members, and offers evening snacks and a large breakfast buffet -- including an omelet station. Cane Fire Grille, which also serves breakfast for a fee, has a casual atmosphere, and Champions Sports Bar offers karaoke and flat-screen TVs. A Starbucks coffee shop and mini market are also in the lobby. Sixteen modern meeting rooms can accommodate up to 600 people. The on-site Hertz rental desk is convenient for guests who don't want to deal with picking up or dropping off a car a the airport. Self-parking and valet service are available for a fee. Wi-Fi is free for Marriott Rewards members, but is only free in public areas for non-members.