It seems as though the Miami Heat have become the new mainstay in the NBA Finals having earned their way to a fourth consecutive trip to the final round in 2014. When fans are looking to travel to town to watch the Heat during the Finals (or during the regular season for that matter), there are typically three categories of hotel that they will seek out based on the available budget: value hotels, Deluxe (for those with a little more coin available for comfort), and Luxury (for those who want to go all out on their experience in South Beach!). The following are the top five hotels for the NBA Finals in Miami. If you disagree, or have another favorite venue, please let us know in the comments section of the article!
Top Five Hotels for the NBA Finals in Miami
Value Hotels in Miami
Courtyard Miami Downtown/Brickell Area
The Courtyard Miami Downtown/Brickell Area is one of the best value hotels for the money in the downtown Miami area. Featuring 14 floors, 208 rooms, and 25 suites, the hotel features a new lobby and free high speed Wireless access for all guests. Similar to other hotels near AmericanAirlines arean, it does cost for parking if you are renting a car during your stay in town to watch the
Four Seasons Hotel and Tower in Miami, Florida (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Heat. On-site parking will run you about 18 dollars per day and Valet parking is 25 dollars per day. Besides being conveniently located near the arena and other fun things to do in Miami, other hotel amenities include: an on-site restaurant, fitness center, outdoor pool, laundry, valet dry cleaning services (for those who need to look their best over a prolonged stay in town), and regular laundry. The hotel books up quickly, so be on the lookout for special deals or offers!
Courtyard Miami Downtown/Brickell Area
200 SE 2nd Ave
Miami, FL 33131
(305) 374-3000
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/miadt-courtyard-miami-downtown-brickell-area/
Hampton Inn & Suites Miami Brickell Downtown
The Hampton Inn & Suites Miami Brickell Downtown features some of the best views of the Miami Skyline for the money and includes a number of features that you would not expect in a “value” hotel. These include 221 comfortable rooms and suites including boutique style guest rooms, whirlpool, and one bedrooms. Additionally, there is free high-speed Internet throughout the hotel, two free options for breakfast (a hot, in-house one and one “on the run” breakfast bag), free local and 1-800 phone calls, 32 HD TV channels to enjoy on the flat screen TV in each room, a microwave, refrigerator, and wet-bar in every room. For those who like to work out there is a 24 hour fitness center, roof-top pool, a daily happy hour at the hotel and pool bar, a parking garage, and a the hotel is conveniently located to most of the sites in downtown Miami and South Beach.
Hampton Inn & Suites Miami Brickell Downtown
50 SW 12th St
Miami, FL 33130
(305) 377-9400
http://www.hamptoninnmiamibrickell.com/
Deluxe Hotels in Miami
Embassy Suites Miami – International Airport
Embassy Suites has made a name for their brand in providing luxurious hotel accommodations for the full range of traveler to
Miami Skyline (Photo credit: Kay Gaensler)
include families, couples, and those heading to town on business. The Embassy Suites Miami-International Airport is conveniently located less than a mile from the airport and is less than a 10 minute drive from AmericanAirlines Arena for those coming into town for the NBA Finals or other destinations in the city. The hotel includes an open-air atrium that has everything from koi ponds to cockatiels. The hotel features two room suites that have a separate living room with queen-sized sofa bed, private bedroom, work station, and an easy chair. Free cooked-to-order breakfast is provided for all guests and the Grill 305 restaurant includes fare ranging from casual Miami dining to fine steaks. There is also an outdoor pool and whirlpool and fitness center for those choosing to stay at the hotel while in town to check out the Heat.
Embassy Suites Miami – International Airport
3974 NW South River Dr
Miami, FL 33142
(305) 634-5000
http://embassysuites3.hilton.com/en/hotels/florida/embassy-suites-miami-international-airport-MIASPES/index.html
Luxury Hotels in Miami
The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach
The Ritz-Carlton in South Beach is one of the premiere luxury hotels near the AmericanAirlines Arena. Walking distance from the best dining, nightlife, and shopping in South Beach, the hotel is a favorite destination for those visiting Miami to watch the heat or simply to sight see! The hotel consists of a restored Art Moderne building in the Art Deco district and has a number of recently renovated guest rooms that make one’s stay at the hotel even more memorable. The hotel is on South Beach and just off of Lincoln Road and Ocean Drive and includes 375 guest rooms, two poolside lanai wings, and a 16,000 square foot spa. The guest rooms feature either views of South Beach, the Atlantic Ocean, the hotel’s pool, or all three depending on the room that you get. Additionally, there is a choice of one king sized bed or two double beds, Goose down and non-allergenic foam pillows, a large marble bath, options for rollaway beds, as well as two restaurants that feature both casual or upscale dining options. Valet parking is available for $36 overnight or $27 for the day and there are both limousine and personal shopping services available on request. For those who bring their kids into town for the NBA Finals, there is also a Ritz Kids program that has an expanded partnership with the Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Futures Society.
The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach
1 Lincoln Rd
Miami, FL 33139
(786) 276-4000
http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/SouthBeach/Default.htm
Four Seasons Hotel Miami
For the traveler looking for “sophisticated relaxation” during their stay in Miami for the NBA Finals or other events, the Four Seasons may be just the destination. The hotel is one of the few AAA Five Diamond Hotels in the city and features European-style luxury with 221 guest rooms and suites in an art deco design inspired by the downtown Miami area. The rooms all start at 500 square feet in size with the Executive Suites including a separate bedroom while the Presidential Suite includes three bedrooms. Also catering to families, the Four Seasons does not charge for any children of guests who are 18 years of age or younger and occupy the same room as either their parents or guardians.
The Four Seasons Miami rooms all feature Ortigia bath products, both wired and wireless Internet access, an evening turndown service, twice-a-day housekeeping, extremely thick and comfy waffle bathrobes, an iHome docking station for your iDevices (to include iPads), satellite TV, refrigerators, microwaves, and a large screen TV. The hotel also features both formal and casual dining options in addition to the in-room dining choice popular for those who prefer a more intimate encounter. The Four Seasons Spa is the perfect destination for that loved one who wants a break from too much basketball with 10 private treatment rooms to include a dry, redwood sauna, Turkish steam room, and a wet treatment area with a Vichy shower.
Four Seasons Hotel Miami
1435 Brickell Ave
Miami, FL 33131
(305) 358-3535
http://www.fourseasons.com/miami/