Shula's Hotel & Golf Club

Shula’s Hotel and Golf Club is in a quaint residential area, surrounded by lakes, shops, and -- of course -- a large golf course. It is popular with business travelers, and locals are drawn to the restaurant and nearby athletic center. Hotel buildings form a rough rectangle around a central courtyard housing the pool and garden with a vine-covered pergola and pond. Inside, the lobby is a bright, open space with a variety of seating areas, from clusters of wicker chairs to divans stacked with pillows. Terra-cotta tile and wood-paneled ceilings look old, but baseball memorabilia adds charm, and there are pops of color in the rich blue accent walls. The overall atmosphere is relaxed and quiet.

This hotel is in Miami Lakes, a suburb of Miami with easy access to I-75 and close to Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport. It is on a tree-lined street with plenty of shops and restaurants within a 10-minute walk, but many are chains and don’t reflect the flavor of Miami. Shula’s Golf Club is not on the property, but a four-minute drive away, though there’s a free shuttle for guests. It is a three-minute walk to a bus stop, but there’s little else nearby to do. It is a 13-minute drive to Amelia Earhart Park, a 515-acre park with trails, fishing lakes, and a petting zoo. Calder Casino is a huge spot with gaming and horse racing a 20-minute drive away. Downtown Miami is a 25-minute drive away, and the golden sands of Miami Beach are a 35-minute drive from the hotel. It is a 25-minute drive to Miami International Airport.

Standard rooms are appealing, with a neutral color scheme and a few pops of red in a pillow or chair cushion. Wood floors and furniture, tufted black headboards, embroidered bedding, and red-and-gold patterned throw pillows decorate the spaces. There are a large work desk with an ergonomic chair, good-sized dresser, and either double beds or single king-size bed that are comfortable with Sealy pillow-top mattresses. All rooms have a 32-inch (or larger) flat-screen TV, iHome dock, mini-fridge, coffeemaker, iron, and safe. Some upgraded rooms receive a free breakfast, free valet parking, and free cocktail receptions, among other perks.Bathrooms are basic, but clean and spacious, with a pedestal sink and a shower/tub combo. Done mostly in white tile and with harsh fluorescent lighting, it’s not a tranquil space, but the touch of textured blue wallpaper is pretty. There’s a separate vanity outside the bathroom with warmer lighting and free toiletries that include hotel-brand soap, shampoo, conditioner, and lotion. Some, but not all, rooms have a balcony or patio area. 

Guests have access to several quality amenities, though not all are actually within the property. There are two on-site restaurants: A steakhouse and a sandwich and coffee shop. The steakhouse and sports bar is a casual spot with 40 flat-screen TVs and sports-themed photographs. The food is good, and guests enjoy the breakfast buffet or a la carte menu, but find it pricey. Guests can also take the hotel shuttle to the golf course for the original steakhouse with a more formal atmosphere, or burgers and drinks at The Bull Pen. The pool is a small circle, ranging from four- to five-feet deep, and with a few loungers on the surrounding patio. It is in the central courtyard of the hotel, ringed by hotel buildings and a few trees. Overall, it’s an uninspiring spot, but good for a dip on a hot day. Across the street from the hotel, Shula’s Athletic Club is packed with a wide variety of athletic equipment -- from treadmills and weights, to a climbing wall and sporting courts -- with free entry for guests. The athletic facility also has an elegant spa with a full range of treatments, including massages and skin care. The golf club is not on the hotel property, but a free shuttle takes guests there and back. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.