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A Miami Mileage Run: The VIP lounge at MIA & positioning flight
A Miami Mileage Run: The run to Phoenix
A Miami Mileage Run: The Sheraton MIA & time in Miami
A Miami Mileage Run: The Delta Skyclub in MIA
A Miami Mileage Run: The totals & the flight home
The Sheraton MIA airport looked like a great choice for a quick visit to Miami after the Phoenix run itself. Since my Dad lives down this way it was a perfect way to combo a DeltaMileageRun with a family visit. Plus, my friend Noah who is a famous radio personality in South Florida and a VERY devoted Delta fan boy, lives here and offered to take me out to dinner for a Miami experience. How could I say no?
But first the hotel. There are two things that make my blood boil when I see them at hotels. The first is a resort fee as I talked about yesterday. The next, that is almost worse, is a parking fee (and don’t even get me started on valet fees)! There is no resort fee at the Sheraton MIA but, you guessed it, a parking fee for my Dad to park his car at the hotel. Oh and same charge for a few hours as overnight for guests. Thanks Sheraton for that. No discount either for a Platinum SPG member.
My room, as you can see above, was nothing special. All the suites were KING only and I was at least offered one but Dad was joining me so we needed two real beds.
The view was nice of airplanes landing at MIA. I guess you could in hotel speak call this an “enhanced” room since it was not a view of a dumpster or something like that (had that at the Sheraton MKE once). The room was fine. Clean. A/C worked. Bathroom was clean. A basic fine room that I would use again. On to other bits for the hotel.
I land in time to get checked in and go sample the evening’s Sheraton Club room goodies. Here is another area that really sets a hotel apart IMO and sad to say the Sheraton MIA fails again.
You see, the drinks, even the house ones, all cost a TON. Many Sheratons and Westins I stay at give house and well drinks free in the club. Paying $7 for a small so-so glass of wine after just being told about the parking fee did not sit well.
The snacks offered were fine. Not exactly dinner but they are not supposed to be either. In a pinch, they will get you by.
There were working computers but I did not test them (I need to do that from now on) but they seemed fine.
After this it was time for a quick beer with Dad. Where to go? The “blue monster” aka Donald Tumps 18th is only a “long iron” away from MIA airport.
And when you tune in to see the tournament next year – this is how they got those new palm trees in place. Amazing!
On to dinner next. Noah picked me & my Dad back at the Sheraton and had his car tricked out with Delta goodies. It was a fun and nice touch. Noah asked where we wanted to go and I indicated, with the long list of ideas he mentioned, that I had never had Cuban food including a Cuban sandwich. Off we go to Versailles! It was a fun experience and good time had by all.
I was told that I HAD to also try a mojito. It was OK but not really my kind of drink. It was fun to try however and I am glad I did.
Lastly, back to the Sheraton, I sampled the breakfast choices. Basic continental fare and nothing like a full hot breakfast. This is one of the only negative sides of a club room – just what you get can vary wildly by hotel and there are, as far as I know, no set standards to expect from SPG. The fruit, however, was very fresh and nice.
Overall I was happy to test the Sheraton MIA before my flight home after positioning down to Miami and the stay was fine overall but if I return I will look for another SPG property over this one (at least if I have a car). – René
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Well , at least you visited the best Cuban restaurant in Miami.
But even tho’ I love those sandwich’s, but there are even better things to order there.
BTW, generally speaking of hotels in Miami, you basically overpay for little to few amenities. Staying close to the airport is always cheapest with fewest frills.
OH, and I did an experiment with the AA Admirals club in MIA last summer on a trip the Dominican Republic that only AA flies to.
MY RECC. is to avoid MIA Admirals club at all costs! Went in on my
departure and arrival back and it was consistently horrible compared to the dozens of skyclubs I have been to. Haven’t been to the MIA skyclub yet since Delta doesn’t connect anywhere I want to go from MIA
Arguing about parking or resort fees when they are clearly published seems a bit childish, especially at airport type hotels where parking is always a challenge. As far as drinks in the lounge, I think it is fair that alcoholic beverages carry a cost and yes, I admire the hotels that swallow that cost and offer those drinks free. As far as breakfast, you always have the choice to ask for a Continental Breakfast instead of points upon arrival and per SPG terms: Enjoy continental breakfast, bonus Starpoints or local amenities as your Platinum welcome gift. You and a guest staying on your reservation can start each day at minimum with juice, coffee, pastries, cereal, or yogurt when you choose continental breakfast — along with our thanks for being one of our best members. You ended up getting fruit, so the hotel gave you more than your PLT status provides. You were offered a suite upgrade without using SNAs, it was your choice not to take it.
I like your blog, but your judgmental reviews of SPG properties is sometimes questionable. If you are receiving everything in SPG T&C and beyond that, then I think there should hardly be the attitude like the hotel could have done better (and I do agree that many times there are properties that can, this one just sounds like they did everything the way described on their website and per the SPG program). Ultimately, if you are unhappy with the stay, then vote with your money, which is what most Platinum members would tell you. Plenty of properties in MIA.
@Marty – I post what happens during a stay. Many many many SPGs, like ones in ATL, offers rooms for 3-4k vs 7k for this MIA hotel. There are many SPGs that do above what they “must” do (and many that do less). I will vote with my wallet and not stay again at the MIA Sheraton. Txs for your input and reading the blog.
Rene, you are right, there are some hotels bumped into the upper categories, that absolutely don’t deserve to be there. I believe the categories are awarded to properties based on their revenue management (down to how fast they clean and turn a room according to Phil, the gm at lax 4points). I wish it would be actually based on how they treat customers, and we would see many more cat 1-2 places. Still SPG shines over the other big ones in service and redemption options and in what you get as plat even at the base platinum level imo. Can’t wait to see pictures from other properties.
@Marty – Agree 100% with you. I have had many world class visits to many locations that are just tops. I even think, since it is LA after all, the Sheraton LAX for example, is a good value at 7k due to location, perks and very nice club room.
Like I said, MIA hotels, esp near MIA are zero for what you get.
You really need to stay in the Brickell, Coconut Grove, Key Biscayne, South Beach, or Downtown hotels. Probably in that order. I haven’t even lived down there, (even tho’ I visit many times a year), in 15 years yet I still know that.
Surprised your dad didn’t give you the heads up on the MIA airport hotels since he lives there.