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My wife and I, being Frequent Floaters, always arrive at least 1 day before our cruise because we know the ship will leave without us if we are last and it is no fun having to fly to another city to try to join a ship late.
In this case, we chose the Element by Westin Miami International Airport because 1) we had Marriott points and it was 20,000 points per night that we got from our Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card vs. paying hundreds of dollars and 2) it had a free airport shuttle and free breakfast and 3) a pool and we wanted some sun time before we boarded our ship.
This hotel is not a hotel to choose if you are looking for nightlife or beach time or such as it is very near the airport in an industrial area so do keep that in mind (hello Uber eats?). We chose a studio suite. How was it? Rather disappointing. Take a look.
At first glance this looks decent for a budget hotel with lots of space. I will say everything in the room worked that is the dishwasher, refrigerator and TV other than the fact that you had to use a wedge to keep the TV from rotating when sitting in the sofa.
The bed was reasonably comfortable but the headboard was disgusting as you can see by the photo above. The other thing you can not see in the photo is that the floors were filthy and if you walked around either in socks or bare feet they were black in no time at all. And there were other issues in the bathroom.
This hotel, I am told, is scheduled for a “refresh” in 2024 and boy does it need it from paint blistering in the shower area to this:
The glass doors do not meet at all and the attempt to use a plastic sweep did not work so water pours onto the floors outside when you shower unless you very carefully direct the water flow at the back wall of the show and then do what you can to keep the water away from the doors. Also there were no shelves in the shower for your own items.
Lastly, and not surprising, the sink was cracked. The photo above to me sums up this room and the state of the hotel. I did bring this to the attention of the management when we checked out and they asked why we did not ask for an “upgrade” or another room but since we were only there two days it was not worth the move. Besides – as a Marriott Bonvoy elite could you not have offered me a better room to begin with?
No real issues with the breakfast. It was hot and the powdered eggs were cooked. One of the days we had “real” plastic plates provided with metal utensils the other day all disposable everything. Now to one of the real reasons we booked this – a chance for some sun before our cruise.
If you think this pool looks dirty and disgusting – I would agree. Maintenance is not a top concern for this hotel. You should have seen the spiderwebs in every light and every umbrella (shudder).
During our two days laying out only one time did we see an attendant sweep up leaves that really is the minimum that should be done right?
Both days we had to ask for towels as the staff had not proactively taken away the previous days dirty towels and stocked new. The first day I was handed by the front desk room towels (just fine) but the second day we had to wait almost an hour to get clean pool towels.
We did accomplish our goal of some time in the sun and enjoyed the daily visits of the local wildlife waking up and getting some sun and eating ants – that and jets flying overhead one day and landing the other direction the next.
Honestly I am shocked this hotel has a 4 start rating on both Google and Trip Advisor reviews as I would not give it more than a 1 or 2 and despite the quick and free airport shuttle (and decent wifi) I would look for other options for a budget hotel with a pool, rather than being Bonvoyed as we were, before your next cruise out of Miami Florida. – René
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Both of the Element hotels near MIA are mediocre and have been since they day they opened. Most guests only plan to stay one night anyway so there is little incentive to provide a good stay. The airlines keep them full with distressed passengers from cancelled flights.
@Kurt – That explains a lot – thank for comment.
Stayed at the Element at BWI and experienced difficulties with the pick up shuttle and the front desk which were snooty and unfriendly. When I called for the pickup they said they would contact the driver who would call me when he finished other pickups. Sooo after two hours on a rainy night the shuttle finally came at 10pm. No apologies.
Cookware and utensils in the kitchen were kind-a random and misplaced. Others from the staff remembered me from previous stays and were quite nice. Marriott needs to work on consistent quality and standards for all properties listed under their brand… especially Element Hotels.
I am thinking of a Marriott “DELTA” in Garden Grove, CA. Any comments?
@chris,
Never a big fan of Element to begin with. I felt like it was furnished with Low End IKEA furniture.
Which ship are you cruising on? And like you whenever we fly for a cruise we come in early and usually stay an extra night.
But living here in South Florida we just drive or Uber / Lyft to the ports.
Enjoy the vacation.
@Gregg G – I was on the MSC Divina. It was horrible. Never ever again on MSC!
Originally I loved elements. The one in Lexington MA for example was great. But yeah many have worn poorly. My bigger complaint is many of the newer studios are not suitable for long term stays which is the whole point of the brand. I stayed in an Element outside NYC and the studio was no different than a Hilton garden inn. Mini fridge and a microwave. No cooktop, no real freezer. Similar size to a HGI. That isn’t an extended stay room.