Finding the right hotel in Miami before your cruise is very important. I’ll admit, I am not a “luxury hotel” person. I pick a pre-cruise hotel based on location and price because I am always on a budget – A points budget. I booked the JW Marriott Miami for free, and you can too.
In this post, I’ll share with you how you can afford the JW Marriott Miami for your pre-cruise stay and why it’s a great option. I’ll review it’s location, the amenities and services. I also share how I stayed at this luxury hotel without paying the hefty price tag. Yes, the sometimes over $500 a night price tag.
This post may contain affiliate links. As an affiliate, I may earn a small commission if you click, purchase, or apply for an offer. This is at no extra cost to you.
But, first, experienced cruisers will tell you to ALWAYS fly into your embarkation port at least one day before your cruise. Flight delays and cancellations are a real thing and you don’t want to miss your cruise because of a delayed flight. Arrive early and rest up or enjoy a night out in a new (or loved) city before your cruise. So, first and foremost, get to your embarkation port early.
Check out my first time cruisers page for more tips
Location Options
There are many options for your pre-cruise hotel in Miami. Some cruisers appreciate the convenience of staying near the airport. Other cruisers want to head straight for the beach and spend the time before their cruise living it up on South Beach.
If you’re visiting Miami for the first time, you may want to have a convenient location so you can check out all of the action before your cruise vacation begins. For this reason, we love the downtown Miami area and have enjoyed our stays at the Hampton Inn Miami Brickell and the Intercontinental Miami. Similarly, you can’t beat the downtown location of the JW Marriott Miami.
Location for your pre-cruise hotel in Miami
Downtown Miami – Brickell Area
The downtown area is a very popular option. A short 6.4 mile – (15 minutes, depending on traffic) ride from the airport and you’re in the hopping downtown Miami area at the JW Marriott Miami. This area is known as Brickell and is one of the trendiest areas of Miami.
The JW Marriott is a great luxury option located at: 1109 Brickell Avenue, Miami, FL
Staying at the JW Marriott Miami, you will be within walking distance of fantastic restaurants and bars as well as the the free Metromover that can take you around the downtown area and over to Biscayne Bay Marketplace. There is always something exciting happening there!
For those of you who have packed light for your cruise, you’re in luck. There is a CVS right next store if you need to pick up sunscreen, wine or any toiletries. You can’t beat that convenience! One of the most asked questions about pre-cruise hotels is whether or not there are conveniences within walking distance. The JW Marriott definitely delivers a resounding YES!
Related post: Can you bring wine on a cruise?
If you’re looking for a quiet evening, you can find plenty of things to do right at the JW Marriott. When you arrive, take a moment to check out the gorgeous lobby. Once you’ve checked in, enjoy that Miami sun and lounge by the pool or grab a quick workout before you embark on your cruise filled with endless food and drinks.
You don’t even need to leave the hotel to have a nice dinner or enjoy an evening cocktail. It’s all right there for you. There is even a spa if you need to shake off that travel day.
The JW Marriott Miami has everything you could ask for in a luxury pre-cruise hotel.
How did I get this room for “free”? (And how you can, too)
By now you may be wondering how I was able to book the JW Marriott downtown Miami and not pay the hefty luxury price tag. And, how you can afford a luxury pre-cruise hotel in Miami, too.
I booked it using bonus nights which I earned through my Marriott Bonvoy credit card through Chase. In fact, I haven’t paid out of pocket for a pre-cruise hotel room in years. Yes, years!
I applied for the Marriott Bonvoy card through Chase. At the time, the sign-on bonus was 5 reward nights once I met the minimum spend. I used this card for all of my regular purchases during the introductory period – gas, groceries, gifts, home repairs…Amazon, etc. Once I reached the minimum spend, I was awarded my bonus nights which I had a year to use. There is an annual fee of $95 but I find that is well worth 5 nights in a Marriott!
I am not a financial services provider and this is not to be taken as “financial advice” but personally, I love not shelling out hundreds of dollars for a hotel room. If you want to apply for the Marriott Bonvoy Chase Card, please use my affiliate link and check out all of my favorite travel items and offers.
Important tips for travel rewards:
- Never charge items that you cannot pay off IN FULL when the bill is due. Carrying a balance negates all of the benefits of utilizing the card for travel perks. The interest is scary!
- Use a travel rewards credit card for all of your regular monthly purchases and rack up points.
- Redeem points or bonus nights to get your pre-cruise hotel and you might stay at the JW Marriott Miami for FREE!
So, Can you afford a luxury pre-cruise hotel in Miami?
You certainly can if you book with points or bonus nights! Are you ready to choose the JW Marriott Miami for your pre-cruise hotel? Let me know in the comments below or join our positive cruising community on Facebook.
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