Decor at the Hilton Garden Inn Miami Airport West is standard mid-range chain, with white lights hanging from its soaring ceiling. A large oak and marble-topped reception counter dominates the lobby, and retro accents like patterned carpets and lime-green and brown furnishings give the hotel a slightly staid, old-fashioned look. This Hilton offers convenience and services for business travelers, but it also attracts families. (The restaurant offers a kids' menu.) And couples needing easy airport or port access for a cruise are drawn to this location as well. While the outdoor patio near the pool area is pleasant, it gets considerable noise from airplanes passing overhead, which somewhat kills the vibe.

Miami International Airport is a 15-minute drive from the hotel, and the Palmetto Expressway, which leads to downtown Miami, is about a five-minute drive. Apart from other hotels and businesses, there is little of interest in the immediate area.

• 23-minute drive to downtown Miami
• 26-minute drive to South Beach
• 22-minute drive to Miami Port
• 22-minute drive to Dolphin Mall
• 30-minute drive to University of Miami campus

There are five room categories at the Hilton Garden Inn Miami Airport West, which come with one or two double beds. The generic decor is somewhat frumpy, with dark-wood furniture, patterned draperies, and wall-to-wall carpeting with a swirling design. All rooms come with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, microwaves, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers. Bathrooms have large mirrors over granite vanities, shower/tub combos, and Neutrogena toiletries.

The hotel has a well-maintained, heated outdoor pool and small whirlpool, with loungers. Like other chain hotels in its category, it has a convenience store and fitness center, with a mix of cardio- and weight-training equipment, a  business center with computer stations and printers, and meeting rooms with audiovisual equipment. A free airport shuttle operates 24 hours a day. The on-site casual restaurant serves throughout the day, but breakfast is not included in the room rate. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property.