1601 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, Florida, United States | (877) 220-1032
Five-minute drive from cruise port and 15-minute walk from AmericanAirlines Arena
Contemporary, stylish rooms with business-friendly features and big windows
In-room mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and blackout curtains; kitchenettes in some
Outdoor pool with city views, ADA entry, and poolside bar
Two restaurants offering American cuisine and room service
Popular happy hour at the lobby bar, plus a Starbucks
24-hour gym with LifeFitness machines, headphones, and towels
Over 45,000 square feet of event and meeting space
Valet and self-parking options
Free Wi-Fi only for Hilton Honors members (free to join)
Not much within walking distance
Hotel lacks a spa
Pool is a bit small for size of the hotel
The 527-room Hilton Miami Downtown is an upper-middle-range property with a contemporary feel and great location for cruise-goers. All rooms have comfy Hilton Serenity beds, mini-fridges, and views from floor-to-ceiling windows; some suites have kitchenettes. Business guests and groups are drawn to the hotel's extensive meeting and event spaces, as well as in-room work desks and charging outlets. Expect a smaller-than-expected pool, American cuisine on the menu at both restaurants, valet and self-parking options, and a 24-hour gym. Unfortunately, there's no spa here, though Starbucks and Thursday happy hours in the lobby lounge bar are big hits. The hotel is a 10-minute drive from South Beach, but there's little of interest within walking distance. For a business-friendly chain hotel in a more walkable location, the JW Marriott Marquis Downtown is a good (though more expensive) option.
Scene
Bright, contemporary chain hotel that's popular with business and leisure guests
Occupying a large tower building, the Hilton Miami Downtown is a contemporary and fairly stylish -- albeit generic at times -- chain property without too many bells and whistles. It was originally built in the 1970s, and underwent a 25-million-dollar renovation in 2017 that saw remodels and updates in all guest rooms, plus new furniture and floors in the lobby. They also added a bar space and restaurant, which is popular on Thursdays for happy hour. Although an outdoor pool is available, it's on the small side for a hotel of this size. Public spaces are always buzzing with guests, though it's not loud. The convenient access to Downtown Miami and the cruise port attract both leisure and business travelers, primarily those loyal to the Hilton chain.
Location
In northern Downtown Miami, close to Brickell, AmericanAirlines Arena, and cruise port
Hilton Miami Downtown is located within the Performing Arts District at the northern edge of Downtown Miami, near the Intracoastal Waterway. There's not much within the immediate vicinity outside of a few fast food restaurants, a Publix supermarket, and the Adrienne Arsht Center Metromover Station, though it's adjacent to the Miami Passport Agency and a 15-minute walk from the AmericanAirlines Arena. Additionally, this is a popular hotel for cruise-goers, as Port Miami is a quick five-minute drive. Guests can also take the Venetian Islands Causeway (expect tolls) to reach South Beach in less than 10 minutes by taxi. The artistic Wynwood neighborhood is around a seven-minute drive, while Brickell business district is a 15-minute drive. Miami International Airport is 20 minutes away by car. It's also reachable in 45 minutes by public transport, but this requires several changes and modes of transportation.
Rooms
Contemporary rooms with stylish elements, mini-fridges, work desks, and shower/tub combos
Contemporary rooms and suites are attractive and have a few stylish elements such as charcoal textured geometric patterns on the walls, two-tone brown geometric carpeting, bright-red armchairs, and side tables with an alligator skin-like finish. All guest rooms come with comfy signature Hilton Serenity Beds with down duvets, 48-inch flat-screen TVs, floor-to-ceiling window views of the city or Biscayne Bay, and mini-fridges. Since the hotel draws a lot of business guests, working desks, plenty of USB charging outlets, and snakeskin-patterned blackout curtains are provided. Coffeemakers come alongside Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf products. Expect standard-sized bathrooms with Crab Tree & Evelyn products and shower/tub combos with rainfall showerheads. Junior Suites add sofas, while One Bedroom Suites bring kitchenettes with microwaves and separate living areas. Presidential Suites have the most space and feature full kitchens (no stoves) and more than one bathroom.
Features
Poolside bar, popular happy hour, Starbucks, and extensive meeting facilities
The outdoor pool is smaller than expected for a hotel of this size, but it's sufficient and has an upbeat and fun vibe. Guests can grab food, drinks, and towels from the City VU Pool Bar, or claim one of the contemporary loungers atop fake grass. The pool is ADA-accessible and there is a separate bathroom so swimmers need not drip through the lobby. Food is fairly casual and American at both the main Brisas restaurant (serving all meals, including Sunday brunch) and the 1601 Lounge Bar. Brisas has a New American menu marked with vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options, as well as a 12-seat Carpe Diem private dining room at the back of the restaurant. Breakfast is served buffet-style. Occupying an open space off the lobby, 1601 Lounge Bar has a casual, contemporary sports bar vibe, popular Thursday happy hour, and bar grub menu. Room service is available from both restaurants until late at night, and there's a Starbucks coffee shop on-site. Business features shine here with over 45,000 square feet and 19 rooms of meeting and event space, and this is one of the only hotels with an in-house audiovisual menu. Rates include food and beverage minimums, water and coffee service, and Wi-Fi. There's also a business center with computers and printers. A 24-hour gym features LifeFitness machines, free weights, and exercise balls, plus a filtered water machine, towels, and disposable headphones. Travelers may be disappointed that there's no spa on-site. Hotel Wi-Fi is free for Hilton Honors members (free to join). Other features include a gift shop and garage with over 2,000 spaces is available for self-parking, though using valet is the cheaper option.