Hotel Districts in Miami and Miami Beach - For Holidays, Business, Cruises and Airport

An Art Deco Hotel, South Beach, Miami

Miami Beach is the place to stay in Miami. It has restaurants, bars, shops, beaches of course, the historic Art Deco District in South Beach (an area of Miami Beach) and street-life – something you shouldn't take for granted in Miami.

But Miami-Dade is a big sprawling county. It includes the City of Miami, with the Bayside marina and shops, the financial district of Brickell and Miami's Downtown, plus Miami Beach, which is a separate city, and numerous other cities, towns and districts. So where should you look for a hotel?

Hotel Districts in Miami
Here are some areas of Miami where you might consider booking a hotel, depending whether you're on holiday, doing business, catching another flight, or taking a cruise:

• Miami International Airport  
• Coral Gables  
• Downtown Miami  
• Brickell Financial District  
• Miami Beach

Miami International Airport
If you're between flights and just want a bed to crash out till early the following day, Miami International Airport Hotel, is one option. It's not cheap, but staying inside the airport would save you travelling time and taxi fares.

A short taxi ride away there are many other hotels, including those on LeJeune Road, also known as 42nd Avenue. This is a busy highway, but there are restaurants near some hotels, although nothing very interesting.

Coral Gables
The Mediterranean Revival style of architecture in Coral Gables makes it a pleasant place to stay, although there's not a lot of life once the shops close. This separate “city” is a short taxi ride from the airport, or you could take the bus – 37 or 42 , fare $2, exact money only, about 30 minutes. Make sure the bus is going in the direction of Coral Gables.

The main street is Miracle Mile, and there are restaurants and bars there and in the streets which run parallel. Ask how long it takes to walk to Miracle Mile from your hotel. Coral Gables covers a big area. There's a good Indian restaurant, The House of India, which has a bargain midday buffet with vegetarian options, just off Miracle Mile, behind Denny's greasy-spoon restaurant.

Downtown Miami
Miami's slightly seedy Downtown is convenient for the cruise ship terminal, but isn't a place to be at night. Most shops close at 5 or 6 pm and nearly all restaurants earlier, and some areas are taken over by homeless people, panhandlers and drug pushers. It's not really dangerous, but there's virtually nothing open in the evening anyway.

A hotel within walking distance of the Bayside marina and shopping mall would be OK if you want somewhere convenient for the cruise ship terminal, as there are restaurants and bars in Bayside.

Brickell Financial District
Should you be doing business in Brickell and have limited time to spare, a hotel near the financial district would be convenient. There are restaurants and bars in and around South Miami Avenue.  

Tobacco Road is the oldest bar in Miami, with cheap beer and food, a pleasant outdoor patio and live music, sometimes jazz and blues. The bar is a short walk from Brickell's main restaurant area.

Miami Beach
For someone used to the cities of Europe or New York, Boston, Chicago or San Francisco, this is the only place to stay. There are actually people in the streets.

Even if you have just a day to spare in Miami, take a taxi to Miami Beach (preferably the South Beach area – $32 fixed fare plus tip), or a shuttle or the number 150 airport bus (about 30 minutes, every half hour, $2.35, exact money only).

Other Buses to Miami Beach
If you're staying much to the north of 41st Street, Miami Beach, an alternative is the trundling letter J bus, which will take 45 minutes or longer, but check that it's going to Miami Beach and to 72nd Street, not just 41st Street.

Or you could take the 150 to Indian Creek Drive, where the bus turns right at the end of 41st Street, then walk away from the canal to Collins Avenue and catch another bus at the far side of the street.  Check that the bus is going to the street where you're staying.

All buses apart from the number 150 have a flat-rate fare of $2, exact money only.

Google Transit for Exact Directions
For detailed directions to any of the places mentioned in this post, click on the Google Transit link in the right-hand sidebar.

Tips on how to use Google Transit are included in a separate post: Directions in Miami - Walking, Driving, Bike, Buses & Trains.