Florida - 9 hour layover @ MIA after red-eye: Options?

Hello all,

In November, we (2 adults + 2 kids) are flying in on a red-eye from the west-coast and arriving in MIA at around 9am. Then, we'll connect to the evening flight (530-ish) to Punta Cana, DR.

My kids are 9 & 5, and I'm thinking a little rest would be nice.

Can any of you suggest any options? - esp. because I'm not staying overnight - can I get a day-time hotel to lie down for a few hours, and then come back to the airport?

Any other options? BTW, I don't have access to any lounges etc...

Thanks in advance!

-G

Seriously ... Buy the lounge access for the day ... You'll burn needless time getting out of MIA and getting back in through security.

I like to walk MIA when I'm there ... Plenty to see, lots of aviation history if your kids are into that.

There is a hotel (landside) above the Concourse E ticketing areas - it is called, cleverly enough, the Miami International Airport hotel:

http://www.miahotel.com/

I haven't stayed there in over 16 years, so can't give a meaningful report, but you could always check Trip Advisor for basic information. The main attraction is not having to exit the terminal building to reach the hotel,

Thanks guys. Hotels require an overnight stay. There's no facility to just use the room for a few hours (like I've seen in Singapore). So far, it looks like buying lounge-access is my best bet.

I'll wait and see if there's any more ideas...

Just because the hotel requires an overnight stay doesn't mean you have to stay overnight. If you can get a decent rate (whatever decent is to you) then get the room (early check-in if possible) and rest and then go ... they can't tell you when to check-out ... just when to check-out by ...

That being said ... a hotel is a commodity and as such, *ASK* at the front desk if they have a day rate ... i can't imagine you're the first person to need/request such, especially at a gateway airport.

The couple on the plane with me just confirmed that the airport hotel at MIA *will* do a day rate. It's $95 and is no reservations or phone calls. Gotta go and ask for it. But ... That might be worth it, your mileage may vary.

The couple on the plane with me just confirmed that the airport hotel at MIA *will* do a day rate. It's $95 and is no reservations or phone calls. Gotta go and ask for it. But ... That might be worth it, your mileage may vary.


Perfect. that's exactly what I was interested in. I'll call 'em up. Thanks!

Just because the hotel requires an overnight stay doesn't mean you have to stay overnight. If you can get a decent rate (whatever decent is to you) then get the room (early check-in if possible) and rest and then go ... they can't tell you when to check-out ... just when to check-out by ...

That being said ... a hotel is a commodity and as such, *ASK* at the front desk if they have a day rate ... i can't imagine you're the first person to need/request such, especially at a gateway airport.

This kind of think is done by pilots who need to rest where they say get n on a red eye then go toa hotel and sleep for an 8pm flight.

What you can do s book a room at an airport hotel explain to them your situation and ask about a late check out around 3pm. Then the kids could take a nap and play in the pool the hotel has. They may have a special rate for you.