Where is the best place too stay in Miami that is near everything from food too shopping that is not way over priced.

The best places are the hotels near the Port of Miami.  The worst places are near the airport as there is nothing nearby.  So when looking for a hotel, stay in one that is near the Port.  We stayed at the Doubletree Grand Hotel Biscayne Bay last Septembr and we were close to Bayside Market, restarants, shopping, etc.  As far as the prices, I think that depends on the time of year that you cruise from Miami.  We paid $139 for a Jr. Suite at the Doubletree and that was with our AAA Discount last September.  It is an upscale hotel in a very good location.  We also had a balcony with a great view of the Bay.  They also have pre-cruise packages along with many other hotels in that area.  I found it on www.hotels.com and out of the many I found this one really appealed to me.  I can say that this a great hotel and will stay there again.  The accomodatuons are excellent and so is the staff.  We especially loved the warm chocolate chip cookie we were given when greeted at Check In.  A nice touch after a long flight.  There are many suggestions for hotels in his forum too that are near the port and sights in Miami that you are looking for.  

For an example, we were originally booked at the Embassy Suites close to the Airport last year and I had a funny feeling about that hotel about a month or so before we left.  I called their Reservations Department and asked some questions about the view, places to see and go etc. and I was told that there were none in that area.  I called The Doubletree Grand Hotel Biscayne Bay and since they were a Hilton Hotel they also owned the Embassy Suites.  They cancelled our reservations for us and made our new ones with them.  I am so glad I followed my gut instincts and switched to the hotel near the port.     

ProudPatriot07:

The Doubletree Biscayne Bay is excellent- my boyfriend and I just returned from a cruise, and that's where we stayed. The best thing is that they have a Park and Cruise rate, so if you drive, you can park there for the week and it's included in the rate (we drove). They had a shuttle to the port, and our taxi from the port was only $15 even after tip.

Glad you enjoyed your stay at this hotel as we really loved it too.  Also, sounds like Welcome Back Home is in order and hope you had a great cruise!! 

ProudPatriot07:

The Doubletree Biscayne Bay is excellent- my boyfriend and I just returned from a cruise, and that's where we stayed. The best thing is that they have a Park and Cruise rate, so if you drive, you can park there for the week and it's included in the rate (we drove). They had a shuttle to the port, and our taxi from the port was only $15 even after tip.

How did you get the Park and Cruise rate- did you just ask the hotel or is it on the hotel's or carnival's website? Thanks!

fgrovergirl:

How did you get the Park and Cruise rate- did you just ask the hotel or is it on the hotel's or carnival's website? Thanks!

The best way to find an answer to a question is to speak to the hotel's reservation deptartment.  If they offer a park and cruise rate it would come from them and I doubt it would be on Canrival's website.  I was given the info on a cruise package over the phone.   I called the 800# given on their website and spoke directly to the reservations department.      

Since we flew in, we opted for the AAA Discount vs. the Pre-Cruise Package as it suited our needs better.  They did not show that discount on their website so if I had not called and spoken to them we would not have known about it.  Being a AAA Member for many years we have found you have to ask if that discount is offered when booking a hotel room.  

We are Flying in 3 days before our cruise leaves (Family of 5 saved $1200 on airfare to fly in Thursday) Figured that money could be better spent in Miami on the beach . I found The New Casablanca on the Beach. at Bookit.com for an average of $80 a night. It is Right on the beach and has a pool.

If anyone has stayed at this hotel please let me know how it is?

Kirk:

We are Flying in 3 days before our cruise leaves (Family of 5 saved $1200 on airfare to fly in Thursday) Figured that money could be better spent in Miami on the beach . I found The New Casablanca on the Beach. at Bookit.com for an average of $80 a night. It is Right on the beach and has a pool.

If anyone has stayed at this hotel please let me know how it is?

 

I've never stayed at that hotel, but my advide is you should carefully research any hotel and the area in which it is located.  

I stayed at the beautiful Downtown Hilton in Miami last December.  Beautiful place, close to the port and Bayside Marketplace and an awesome view of the Port of Miami.  However it's in a neighborhood which you wouldn't want to be wandering around in after dark (or maybe even alone in the daytime.)  There were a lot of questionable people on the streets.  It was fine for us as there were 5 of us, and we were just there for 1 night so weren't interested in the nightlife or any daytime activities other than swimming in the hotel pool.

Here are a couple of links to customer reviews of that hotel. 

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-reviews-378177-prod-hotel-action-read-ratings_and_reviews-i;_ylt=AuXA74ngkoRp1FzI4PUqhHLiphQB

http://www.hotels.com/hotel_the-new-casablanca-on-the-ocean_201203_reviews.html

Well I did look at the area where the Hotel is on the maps and in the satalite (google earth) but those reviews I had not seen   . Looks like I will have to make some calls and then see if I can find another hotel.

Thanks for the Info

Kirk

You should reseach that hotel before you book it.  I would rather pay more for a hotel that is nice and in an area close to sights.  The website I used was hotels.com which gives you all the info about hotels in Miami or anywhere.  You can also read reviews from people that have booked thru that website that have stayed at the various hotels.  I prefer to speak to the Reservations Desk when we make ours.  That way I know I am getting what I ask for and if I have any questions, I can get an answer.  At least that is still one place I can actually get a "person: when I call and not a computerized recording.  It is frustrating when you have a question and all you can get is a computer which is no help. 

I got married on the Carnival Liberty in the Port of Miami last May. Most of us flew in and we trying not to have rental cars, so I did my research to find a nice affordable hotel with entertainment and restaurants nearby, that also had transportation to the port. 

We stayed at the Holiday Inn - Port of Miami, Downtown and LOVED IT!!! Very affordable hotel that is directly across the street from Bayside Marketplace.

The Holiday Inn was just as any other Holiday Inn is...a clean and well kept mid-grade hotel. You can request a room on the front of the building overlooking the bay, which we had and loved as we were able to watch the ship come into port the night before. You could see the lights of Bayside, all the cruise ships and Miami Beach. SO PRETTY!  (If the lights aren't your thing, don't worry there are thick curtains ;) There is no continental breakfast but rather a restaurant in the bottom. The outdoor pool was very clean and enclosed by a concrete wall for added privacy and security which turned out to be very nice for those corraling small children and a favorite of my wedding party. The staff is courteous and the concierge can really provide! Though a free shuttle to the port is not provided, the concierge will arrange for a shuttle for your group (ours was $5 a person) no matter how big or small to make it to the port. Our shuttle came with an enclosed trailer behind for luggage which was extra nice! I HIGHLY recommend this hotel for its courteous staff, conveinence to shopping and dining, and cost!

Bayside Marketplace is an outdoor mall with local vendors as well as chain stores and several restaurants and a food court. You can also board a tour of the bay or Millionaires Island from Bayside. There are bands playing in a courtyard area in the evening and it is patrolled by officers, so it is much safer than walking the streets of downtown Miami. Please check out their website which has a list of stores and restaurants. I really can not describe how conveinent, fun and perfect Bayside's proximity was for us travelers without cars.