Aloft by Marriott Miami Airport

The bed was comfortable, but the rest of my six-day stay at Aloft Miami Airport was a very unpleasant experience. I won’t be coming back. There was a strange smell in the room, weak shower pressure, and an air conditioner that didn’t cool properly. Doors from other rooms kept banging throughout the day, so it was hard to relax. The charges were another major problem. Before arrival, I was billed an extra $145.77 on my card, separate from the booking total, and told it was a deposit that would be refunded at checkout. They also required another $50 for incidentals upfront, even though I said I was willing to pay for any incidentals I actually used. At checkout neither amount was returned. The receptionist, who wasn’t the person who checked me in, said the $145.77 was tax for the first night. But my receipt calls it a “Deposit Fee,” and my card shows a separate charge for the full amount. She kept saying the extra tax was only $16.77 instead of acknowledging the $145.77. Altogether, I was charged $195.77 extra and none of it was refunded. I’m a Marriott Bonvoy member, and I know complimentary late checkout of at least 2-4 hours is offered at many Marriott properties when available. Here I was told the hotel was full and that wasn’t possible, then immediately offered checkout at 4 PM for another $50. That didn’t match what I’d just been told.

Andre at the front desk made our night. We arrived exhausted after a long day of travel, and he was so welcoming, kind, and accommodating. He even went out of his way to make my friend’s birthday special, turning what might have been an ordinary stay at Aloft into a 10/10 night. His care and attention didn’t go unnoticed. We felt valued, and I hope he gets the recognition he deserves.

The rooms are roomy, though the beds and pillows could be better. For the price, I still think it’s worth it. If you’re flying into MIA, message the hotel in the Marriott/Bonvoy app to arrange the free Uber. You can arrange one for your trip back to the airport too, just request it 15 minutes before you want to leave.

The rooms themselves were lovely and clean, with good showers and comfortable beds. The lobby, though, looked grubby and shabby. There are better options nearer the airport. For an airport stay, the service here was especially frustrating. Messages about the airport shuttle went unanswered, and getting an adapter meant being told to go to Walmart. The Wi-Fi instructions didn’t work, so I had to return to the lobby to get connected. They also missed my requested wake-up call. Those things matter when you’re on a short stop between long flights, especially at four-star prices when they’re usually standard. The response to my complaint was a half-hearted apology, followed by a patronizing explanation that this is a “lifestyle” hotel, not an airport hotel. Yet it’s marketed as one. I’ve never seen an airport hotel so poorly managed, and I wouldn’t choose to stay here again.