AC Miami Brickell [Master Thread]
Jan 8, 2026 | 7:11 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Tit, Hilton Diamond, BA Gold, Carlson Gold, UA*S,
Posts: 1,531
AC Miami Brickell [Master Thread]
I stayed for a night at the AC Miami Brickell on a recent tour of the area.
The AC property exists in the same building as the element hotel. Both hotels share car parking, and the rooftop pool.
Having never visited Brickell before I was particularly eager to see why people rave about the area so much, and I was not disappointed.
For those that love to be immersed in the metropolis of Miami, the train perched high above the street on a midair tramway, runs right past the hotel window.
The Miami River can also be seen close by with fancy boats passing by from time to time.
From the rooftop pool area the expansion of Miami and building explosion that has been taking place in the area is plain to see - and it is mightily impressive, particularly at night when the buildings are all lit up.
Its just a stones throw to reach nearby coffee shops, bars, restaurants and in a magnificent shopping mall in the form of the Brickell City Centre. It really is a sight to behold and one of the most impressive outdoor shopping malls Ive seen ever.
The hotel itself has comfortable rooms with comfy beds and decent bathrooms.
Like other AC hotels, the hardwood floor that runs throughout is particularly pleasing and I also feel that it is cleaner than any kind of carpeted equivalent room these days.
The hotel was not as generous with it Titanium/Platinum benefits compared to the AC hotel in Wynwood.
Breakfast credit is only offered to two people, despite me having three people in my party. The resort fee is also not applicable towards Breakfast food so it meant I had to use my $15 food and beverage credit in the pool area the following day.
Car parking is also an extortionate $55 and there really is little way of getting around this.
I even loaded the SpotHero app but all other parking opportunities were some distance away and not that much cheaper than what was being charged by the hotel.
The pool area is particularly enjoyable with a clean and warm rooftop pool. There is some soft music being played around the perimeter and it made for an enjoyable experience to be sitting outside with the majestic skyline of Miami towering above us.
I think on a return visit I might be more tempted to stay at the Element at this location because the Element provides a free breakfast to those who are staying.
If the decor of the rooms is similar enough to that of those in the AC (you can literally walk through on each of the hotel's floors from AC to element) then I would definitely say the Element has the upper hand.
Those redeeming points will find that both properties are similarly priced.
The AC property exists in the same building as the element hotel. Both hotels share car parking, and the rooftop pool.
Having never visited Brickell before I was particularly eager to see why people rave about the area so much, and I was not disappointed.
For those that love to be immersed in the metropolis of Miami, the train perched high above the street on a midair tramway, runs right past the hotel window.
The Miami River can also be seen close by with fancy boats passing by from time to time.
From the rooftop pool area the expansion of Miami and building explosion that has been taking place in the area is plain to see - and it is mightily impressive, particularly at night when the buildings are all lit up.
Its just a stones throw to reach nearby coffee shops, bars, restaurants and in a magnificent shopping mall in the form of the Brickell City Centre. It really is a sight to behold and one of the most impressive outdoor shopping malls Ive seen ever.
The hotel itself has comfortable rooms with comfy beds and decent bathrooms.
Like other AC hotels, the hardwood floor that runs throughout is particularly pleasing and I also feel that it is cleaner than any kind of carpeted equivalent room these days.
The hotel was not as generous with it Titanium/Platinum benefits compared to the AC hotel in Wynwood.
Breakfast credit is only offered to two people, despite me having three people in my party. The resort fee is also not applicable towards Breakfast food so it meant I had to use my $15 food and beverage credit in the pool area the following day.
Car parking is also an extortionate $55 and there really is little way of getting around this.
I even loaded the SpotHero app but all other parking opportunities were some distance away and not that much cheaper than what was being charged by the hotel.
The pool area is particularly enjoyable with a clean and warm rooftop pool. There is some soft music being played around the perimeter and it made for an enjoyable experience to be sitting outside with the majestic skyline of Miami towering above us.
I think on a return visit I might be more tempted to stay at the Element at this location because the Element provides a free breakfast to those who are staying.
If the decor of the rooms is similar enough to that of those in the AC (you can literally walk through on each of the hotel's floors from AC to element) then I would definitely say the Element has the upper hand.
Those redeeming points will find that both properties are similarly priced.
Jan 23, 2026 | 12:17 pm
#2
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 164
I stayed for a night at the AC Miami Brickell on a recent tour of the area.
The AC property exists in the same building as the element hotel. Both hotels share car parking, and the rooftop pool.
Having never visited Brickell before I was particularly eager to see why people rave about the area so much, and I was not disappointed.
For those that love to be immersed in the metropolis of Miami, the train perched high above the street on a midair tramway, runs right past the hotel window.
The Miami River can also be seen close by with fancy boats passing by from time to time.
From the rooftop pool area the expansion of Miami and building explosion that has been taking place in the area is plain to see - and it is mightily impressive, particularly at night when the buildings are all lit up.
Its just a stones throw to reach nearby coffee shops, bars, restaurants and in a magnificent shopping mall in the form of the Brickell City Centre. It really is a sight to behold and one of the most impressive outdoor shopping malls Ive seen ever.
The hotel itself has comfortable rooms with comfy beds and decent bathrooms.
Like other AC hotels, the hardwood floor that runs throughout is particularly pleasing and I also feel that it is cleaner than any kind of carpeted equivalent room these days.
The hotel was not as generous with it Titanium/Platinum benefits compared to the AC hotel in Wynwood.
Breakfast credit is only offered to two people, despite me having three people in my party. The resort fee is also not applicable towards Breakfast food so it meant I had to use my $15 food and beverage credit in the pool area the following day.
Car parking is also an extortionate $55 and there really is little way of getting around this.
I even loaded the SpotHero app but all other parking opportunities were some distance away and not that much cheaper than what was being charged by the hotel.
The pool area is particularly enjoyable with a clean and warm rooftop pool. There is some soft music being played around the perimeter and it made for an enjoyable experience to be sitting outside with the majestic skyline of Miami towering above us.
I think on a return visit I might be more tempted to stay at the Element at this location because the Element provides a free breakfast to those who are staying.
If the decor of the rooms is similar enough to that of those in the AC (you can literally walk through on each of the hotel's floors from AC to element) then I would definitely say the Element has the upper hand.
Those redeeming points will find that both properties are similarly priced.
The AC property exists in the same building as the element hotel. Both hotels share car parking, and the rooftop pool.
Having never visited Brickell before I was particularly eager to see why people rave about the area so much, and I was not disappointed.
For those that love to be immersed in the metropolis of Miami, the train perched high above the street on a midair tramway, runs right past the hotel window.
The Miami River can also be seen close by with fancy boats passing by from time to time.
From the rooftop pool area the expansion of Miami and building explosion that has been taking place in the area is plain to see - and it is mightily impressive, particularly at night when the buildings are all lit up.
Its just a stones throw to reach nearby coffee shops, bars, restaurants and in a magnificent shopping mall in the form of the Brickell City Centre. It really is a sight to behold and one of the most impressive outdoor shopping malls Ive seen ever.
The hotel itself has comfortable rooms with comfy beds and decent bathrooms.
Like other AC hotels, the hardwood floor that runs throughout is particularly pleasing and I also feel that it is cleaner than any kind of carpeted equivalent room these days.
The hotel was not as generous with it Titanium/Platinum benefits compared to the AC hotel in Wynwood.
Breakfast credit is only offered to two people, despite me having three people in my party. The resort fee is also not applicable towards Breakfast food so it meant I had to use my $15 food and beverage credit in the pool area the following day.
Car parking is also an extortionate $55 and there really is little way of getting around this.
I even loaded the SpotHero app but all other parking opportunities were some distance away and not that much cheaper than what was being charged by the hotel.
The pool area is particularly enjoyable with a clean and warm rooftop pool. There is some soft music being played around the perimeter and it made for an enjoyable experience to be sitting outside with the majestic skyline of Miami towering above us.
I think on a return visit I might be more tempted to stay at the Element at this location because the Element provides a free breakfast to those who are staying.
If the decor of the rooms is similar enough to that of those in the AC (you can literally walk through on each of the hotel's floors from AC to element) then I would definitely say the Element has the upper hand.
Those redeeming points will find that both properties are similarly priced.
Mar 31, 2026 | 3:32 pm
#3
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: ME
Programs: UA Platinum; Marriott Titanium
Posts: 46
Staying here now and they said that you can use the $15 F&B credit towards Breakfast. Note that it's per night and not per day. (ie if you're staying there one night you would only be able to use it once).
The Daily Destination Fee includes:
$15 'nightly' food and beverage credit.
Daily Dessert (which is just a rock hard cookie at check in)
Local transport in the hotel's Tesla (within a 1mi radius)
Wifi is included
Online it says that Gold and above can get daily Espresso or Cappuccino but the front desk wasnt even aware of that when I asked so I guess the website is wrong.
Update: Boy is that train across the street noisy! Was on the 19th floor and could still hear it. So the brekkie is $25 for the buffet but you only get the $15 off (i.e. breakfast is not included). The location is great being so close to Brickell city center but I don't think I'll be staying at this hotel again. Status doesn't really count for anything here.
That free espresso thing is weird. I asked again at the front desk and after checking the front staff checked they kindly said that they will make me one. I think this perk may be a YMMV. Curious if anyone else has trouble redeeming it
The Daily Destination Fee includes:
$15 'nightly' food and beverage credit.
Daily Dessert (which is just a rock hard cookie at check in)
Local transport in the hotel's Tesla (within a 1mi radius)
Wifi is included
Online it says that Gold and above can get daily Espresso or Cappuccino but the front desk wasnt even aware of that when I asked so I guess the website is wrong.
Update: Boy is that train across the street noisy! Was on the 19th floor and could still hear it. So the brekkie is $25 for the buffet but you only get the $15 off (i.e. breakfast is not included). The location is great being so close to Brickell city center but I don't think I'll be staying at this hotel again. Status doesn't really count for anything here.
That free espresso thing is weird. I asked again at the front desk and after checking the front staff checked they kindly said that they will make me one. I think this perk may be a YMMV. Curious if anyone else has trouble redeeming it
Last edited by grd787; Apr 1, 2026 at 6:05 am