Hilton Miami Airport Blue Lagoon

The airport location is convenient, but the stay wasn't worth it. The place feels dated and poorly managed, and didn't meet the Hilton standard I expected. The closet handle was broken, and the room stayed warm the whole time because the AC barely worked. The pool situation made no sense either. It's apparently open to the public on Fridays, so hotel guests found every chair taken and no towels available. We couldn't enjoy an amenity we're paying for. Service disappointed too. The front desk staff seemed indifferent with a long line waiting, and it was hard to communicate with some staff members because they didn't speak English clearly.

After almost four years of staying here for about three days after our cruise, my family and I won't be back. The room was so warm and uncomfortable that, if we'd stayed longer, I'd rather have spent the time in the lobby. We first had to wait about an hour for a room after being told none were ready. At least there were markets nearby where we could pass the time. Then a repairman came twice for the air conditioning. He said on the first visit that the unit was frozen and the thermostat should regulate within an hour, but four hours later the room was still 75 degrees. Linda at the front desk was unhelpful when I explained the problem, and acted as if bringing me a fan would be a huge inconvenience.

I liked the spacious hotel, friendly staff, and good food. My room was large with a nice view, and the gym was bright, clean, and well equipped. The place is older, though, and some parts of the room looked worn and could use touch-ups. The airport shuttle was really convenient and free, coming about every 30 minutes. It was too cold to hang out outside during my visit, but the amenities looked nice. The location feels almost like an island. There's not much around the airport itself, though a small plaza has a few more food options. Otherwise you'll need to drive or get an Uber.

The best part of the hotel was the staff. Many speak two languages, which was helpful for anyone who doesn't speak English as a first language, and every employee we encountered was helpful. The gym was also outstanding, one of the best I've seen at a hotel. I got my full workout in with lots of cardio machines, a full barbell area, and even a leg press. There's no bench press, which I understand for insurance reasons, though perhaps a Smith machine could be added. The pool is lovely, with a kids' pool and hot tub, and a walkway out over the lagoon where you can watch wildlife. The shuttle ran reliably until around midnight. Go to level G to catch it, not level two as the website says. The hotel is across the water from the airport, which is the tradeoff for the convenience. People call the rooms dated, and the carpet does look like it may be from the late 90s or early 2000s. The dark green downstairs gave me an old movie feeling. Still, the carpet was clean and didn't smell, the furniture was clean and unstained, and I liked the artwork and atmosphere. The room views over the water were amazing, and the whole place was very clean. I did have an issue with the fridge. There was a mini fridge in our room, but we were told we couldn't keep personal belongings in it and would have to pay to have one brought up. That's ridiculous. Even cheap hotel rooms have a fridge and microwave for leftovers. Walkability is limited too. I walked to a grocery store .8 miles away without trouble, but use the proper crosswalks and don't jaywalk. For most restaurants you'll need Lyft or Uber, and taxis are really expensive. The hotel is busy enough that couches and other things get worn, but it was all clean and comfortable. The cardio equipment was great, and I had no trouble with the shuttle.