Overnight in Miami Lakes Hotel

As we set off on our cruise voyage, our trip kicked off with a flight to Miami. To avoid any last-minute stress, we decided to arrive in Miami a day early, giving us extra time in case of any unexpected flight delays or issues. Princess Cruises had arranged accommodation for us at the Miami Lakes Hotel as part of our transfer package, ensuring a comfortable stay before we set sail.

Miami lakes is a suburban area found northwest of downtown Miami. The area is filled with beautiful neighbourhoods, picturesque tree lined streets and plenty of shops and recreational facilities to keep you occupied. It took us around 25 minutes to get from Miami international airport to our destination at the Miami lakes hotel.

Arrival

As soon as we arrived, we couldn't help but notice the impeccable condition of the hotel entrance and its pristine surroundings. The reception staff were ready and waiting, handing us an envelope containing all the details we needed for our room and instructions for the ship pickup the next day. They also kindly pointed out the breakfast area for the morning. Going the extra mile, the receptionist even drew us a personalized map, ensuring we wouldn't get lost finding our way from reception to our room. This level of attention to detail and hospitality set a wonderfully positive tone for our stay right from the start.

Our Room

We were pleasantly surprised by the spaciousness of our room – a typical reaction from us Brits when we encounter the generous square footage of American hotel rooms. Sporting a large king-size bed, the room boasted a comfortable layout with a well-appointed bathroom and efficient air conditioning, ensuring a cozy stay. Here's a rundown of the room's features:

• Safe: Perfect for securing our valuables.

• Refrigerator: Handy for keeping drinks and snacks chilled.

• Adjustable Air Conditioning: Essential for customizing our comfort level.

• Large Window with Shading: Offering natural light and the option to catch a breeze.

• Desk with Mirror and Lamp with USB Sockets: A practical workspace with modern amenities.

• Bedside Tables with Lamps: Convenient for night-time reading.

• Alarm Clock: Keeping us punctual for our cruise departure.

• TV and Remote: For unwinding after a day of travel.

• Coffee Making Facilities and Water: A welcome perk for early risers.

• Bathroom with Over Bath Shower and Curtain: Providing both convenience and privacy ( and nice to see a grippy bottom to stop slips ) - obviously for those that would find getting in and out over the side of the bath challenging, I would ring the hotel and find if they do have any walk in showers.

• Toiletries: Soap, shampoo, and conditioner were provided . Smell was pleasant and we did use them.

• Large Chest of Drawers: Perfect for longer stays, offering ample storage.

• Wardrobe: Providing space to hang your clothes.

• Iron and Ironing Board: Handy for touching up outfits, and nice to see a full size board.

• Hairdryer - I didn't test this but it did look like it would dry your hair rather than just give it a gentle breeze.
  

Overall, the room was well-equipped to meet our needs, whether we were staying for a short layover or an extended vacation.

Now, let's set the record straight. This hotel, a solid 3-star spot, serves as a convenient pit stop for Princess cruise guests gearing up for their voyage the next day. No, it's not the Ritz, but hey, we didn't expect it to be. Our room overlooked the parking lot, tucked away at the far end of the complex, without a balcony. But we get it. Princess isn't splurging on top notch rooms here, and the hotel's got to make its bread and butter. And you know what? That's all good with us. For the brief 16 hours we were in our room, it did the job just fine. Sometimes, all you need is a comfy spot to crash before setting sail.

The Food

Dinner

Arriving at the hotel around 6 pm after a lengthy 9-hour flight, plus three hours spent in the airport, and with our body clocks not yet adjusted to a five-hour time difference, fatigue was definitely setting in. Rather than deal with the hassle of hunting down dinner, we opted to dine at the hotel's on-site restaurant, ML Steaks and Sports. We were promptly seated in a cozy booth equipped with its own TV showing sports, and handed menus. Despite being a sports bar, the atmosphere was lively and welcoming, without being overwhelmingly loud, allowing for easy conversation without the need to shout. There was ample seating around the bar for those seeking a social atmosphere and drinks, as well as regular tables situated further away for larger groups. The menu boasted a diverse selection of appetizers and entrees at reasonable prices, ranging from approximately $11 to $23 before sales tax.

We decided on the steak sandwich and half rack of ribs, pairing them with a glass of wine and, of course, water provided at the table. While the food wasn't Michelin-star quality, it was delicious and satisfying, perfectly hitting the spot without the hefty price tag. Our waiter was attentive and helpful, adding to the overall pleasant dining experience. Here's a breakdown of the cost: two glasses of wine, a Diet Coke (with free refills), the steak sandwich with fries, and the half rack of ribs with fries totalled $74 including tax

In addition there were vending machines dotted around so if you were thirsty and didn't fancy going to the bar or shop you can find them around

Breakfast

Breakfast was served again in the same restaurant where we dined the night before, albeit in the regular table section towards the rear, rather than the booths near the bar. It was a buffet-style breakfast featuring a variety of hot items like bacon, eggs, and hash browns, as well as sweet options such as pancakes and waffles, and cold items like fruit and cereal. We were pleasantly surprised to find fresh decaf coffee available, a rarity in many places where only instant sachets are offered. We helped ourselves to our breakfast choices, starting with a plate of bacon, eggs, and hash browns, all of which were delicious. Then, I indulged in pancakes with strawberries and maple syrup, which stole the spotlight with their exquisite taste — I could have easily had more if my stomach allowed! Cranberry and tropical juice were among the cold drink selections. Since breakfast was included with our stay, there was no additional cost, and I must say it was a satisfying and substantial breakfast that provided a great start to our day before heading to the ship.

Outside area

The outside courtyard was super nice! During the day, it was clean and spacious with a pool, plenty of chairs and tables, loungers for relaxing, and shaded seating areas with sofas to escape the sun. There were several water features adding to the chilled vibe, and at night, they lit up, giving balcony rooms a dramatic view. Plus, we had some friendly lizards roaming around to keep us company!

Outside the hotel, the local area felt very safe and well looked after. There were many coffee shops and small eateries dotted around the streets nearby and a Dunkin' Donuts a short walk across the car park out back. The street directly next door to the hotel has several small shopping areas, with wide accessible paths to have a wander if you like to get out for a walk.

The Stay

With our appetites satisfied, we were ready to call it a night. The room maintained a comfortable temperature, though the air conditioner was a bit noisy. Fortunately, neither of us were bothered by it as we tend to sleep soundly, but it could potentially disturb lighter sleepers. A pair of earplugs would likely solve the issue, as it wasn't excessively loud. The king-sized bed was comfortable, although the pillows were a bit lumpy, as is often the case in hotels. Nonetheless, the bedding and room were impeccably clean, so this was a minor inconvenience. We both slept soundly and woke up feeling refreshed despite the jet lag. There was minimal noise from the parking lot outside, and while we did hear some chatting and movement in the corridors, it was minor and didn't impact our stay in any negative way.

Overall - Super stay !

We were pretty happy with our stay here. If you're booking your own trip, you'd probably snag a nicer room with a better view. But since this was part of our transfer package, the hotel gave us everything we needed—pleasant surroundings, a pool, a comfy room for a good night's sleep, and great food.

If we’re ever in Miami again as part of a transfer, we’d definitely stay here again. For a regular visit to Miami, though, it might be a bit far out if you don't have a car. But with a rental, it wouldn't be an issue at all.