The planned Westin at Miami International Airport has been scrapped after the FAA rejected the 150-foot hotel over radar blind spot safety concerns.
Speaking of airport hotels, has anyone actually ever stayed at the existing Miami International Airport Hotel? (The one inside/above Terminal E, originally opened in 1959.)
The hotel was since 1959?
That answers why it feels very old, and that was already a long time ago.
Overpriced basic hotel.
You pay for the location.
Other offsite hotel in the same class have terrible shuttle. Buffer a lot of time or take a rideshare. They know that and charged accordingly.
My late wife and I stayed there in 2018. It was "fine"; it was all we needed for a brief overnight. You cannot beat the convenience. Noise wasn't a problem. Price then (with taxes) was
$168 for a room with two queen needs and breakfast.
Miami does need a proper on-site hotel. So do most U.S. cities. I know our American cities are designed a bit "differently," but it's a shame that many major U.S. airports don't have a hotel you can get to without a cab or a shuttle and those that do - the hotels are very overpriced and stinky. Founding fathers would be spinning in their graves if they saw what this great country has become.
Stayed once when we misconnected coming back from South America. It was basic, quiet, clean. Clearly paying for the location. Absolutely no reason to stay there for anything other than an overnight layover.
JAL is really missing out!!
I've stayed at the Miami International Hotel twice over the years, when I had ultra early departures. Pretty sad, though the more recent one was slightly better.
I'd love to see a Marriott brand on-site hotel. The Sheraton Frankfurt International (many years ago) was the best airport hotel I've seen.
It would seem that the concerns of the FAA should have been written into the Request for Proposal, but we are talking about Miami! Vamos juntos!
They might need to "lobby" Cheddar Ceaușescu personally to get this done. Money makes the world go 'round...
One of your aerial views seems to indicate that the height of the hotel is not any higher than the surrounding buildings.
Is there any information to explain their claim of a radar shadow?
MIA modernization? LMAO!
Concourse G desperately needs to be demolished - it's a relic and so if F.
Ben - I think you exaggerate on the broken moving walkways and escalors. I have witnessed Mayor Cava on her hands and knees at 3am working on the moving walkways!
NOT
As Bette Davis would say, "What a dump!"
Unfortunate that basics like "is it too tall to be at the airport" weren't considered before. Infrastructure in this country is such a joke...
So much of MIA needs a complete re-do, not just a renovation. $14B would buy a brand new airport in most parts of the world, especially when it doesn't include land or runways/taxiways...
Funny story, the resturant on the 7th Floor at MIA Hotel has become an Oasis when traveling. Both me and wife and later found out my sister waited out a lost bag their. It's a huge space, great views of the runway and tarmacs and pretty good food and service. Also, it didn't cost and arm and a leg and they let you stay as long as you want. Could MIA a new hotel 100% but don't over look the 7th floor resturant as an escape pre-security.
Sad Sad news. This was very much needed!