Is Miami Airport a good place to stay in Miami?

The Miami Airport area is a practical base if you have an early or late flight, are joining a cruise the next day or simply want the cheapest room in Miami. Almost every hotel has a free shuttle to the terminals, and Metrorail from the Miami Intermodal Center runs to Downtown and Brickell. It suits travellers in transit, business visitors and anyone on a tight budget.

The area is built around the airport, with hotels lining the main roads among warehouses, offices and highways. Miami Springs, on the north side, is a quieter residential town with a golf course, while Doral to the west has big shopping malls and plenty of Venezuelan and other Latin American restaurants. Little Havana is a short taxi ride east.

The downside is that there's nothing to see around the hotels, and walking anywhere is unpleasant. Evenings mean a hotel restaurant or a drive, the beaches are far away, and the main roads are noisy with traffic and planes. It's a place to sleep rather than to spend a holiday.

What makes the airport area worth considering is price and convenience. Rooms cost far less than anywhere near the beach, the shuttle gets you to your flight in minutes, and you can still reach Downtown by Metrorail or Little Havana by taxi if you have an evening to spare.