This towering, 601-room Downtown Marriott caters mostly to business travelers. The large pool, modern fitness center, business center, and free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel make it a great value pick. Though more stylish, the Epic and Intercontinental hotels both have similar amenities, but often cost considerably more.

The three-pearl, 189-room Hilton Garden Inn Miami Airport West is about a 15-minute drive to Miami International Airport, making it a practical choice for travelers catching early-morning flights. Passing airplanes can get loud outside the hotel and in the pool area, but thanks to soundproofing, it's not a problem indoors. The hotel has a restaurant, an outdoor heated pool and hot tub, a fitness center, and a business center and meeting rooms, but there are several comparable hotels near the airport, and travelers might want to check out the Hyatt Place Miami Airport, which offers a free breakfast. 

With a downtown location near corporate offices and the Port of Miami, the Courtyard is a convenient mid-range option for a business trip or pre-cruise stay. The 14-story hotel is smoke-free and features an outdoor pool, workout room, self-service cafe and both self- and valet parking. Rooms are spacious, if generic, and come with free Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, and flat-screen TVs. This is a corporate chain hotel and the decor reflects that.

Following Hurricane Irma, this hotel is open but with limited services. We will update our review as soon as we have more information. Located inside "the Grand" -- a business district complex of offices, condos, convenience shops, and five so-so restaurants -- the 152-room Doubletree is a good but not great choice. It has an Olympic-size pool, a huge Jacuzzi, and a modern gym, but cleanliness is questionable and the rooms are mediocre. Nearby, the similarly priced Hyatt Regency offers bigger, cleaner rooms.

The 200-room Holiday Inn Port of Miami-Downtown is a city gem for budget-conscious travelers, offering a prime location, outdoor pool, casual bar and grill, gym, and even same-day dry cleaning. Classic rooms have flat-screen TVs and mini-fridges, and some have Brickell Key views. However, some rooms do have outdated and worn decor, and the mid-range chain style isn't for everyone. For newer and better-looking rooms, try the Courtyard by Marriott Miami Downtown. 

The 149-room River Park Hotel & Suites Downtown/Convention Center is an no-fuss budget hotel with classic decor, a pool, and a prime Miami River location that appeals to budget-conscious guests and cruise ship travelers. Traditional suites offer sitting areas and kitchenettes. However, some furnishings are outdated and worn and there's no Internet in the rooms, only the lobby. Compare prices at the nearby Hampton Inn & Suites Miami/Brickell-Downtown, which has more modern rooms. 

What the budget Leamington Hotel has going for it -- aside from rock-bottom prices -- is its downtown location close to the Bayside Marketplace and the Port of Miami, a major cruise ship port. The 105-room hotel itself is barebones basic, and could use a refresh. Its only common area is a breakfast room in the lobby, where a continental breakfast of coffee and various breads is served for free. Rooms come with free Wi-Fi, AC, flat-screen TVs in some, and while they have bright accent walls, they show some wear and tear, and guests have complained about cleanliness, particularly in the bathrooms. The nearby River Park Hotel & Suites Downtown is similarly priced and offers a little more in the way of decor, but it's farther from the cruise port and doesn't have in-room Wi-Fi.