Once inside the main terminal building you can walk from one end to the other, passing each of the concourses in turn, and each concourse has its own array of shops and food outlets. It is generally quite busy, but there are areas where you can sit and watch the world go by.
There are plenty of shops and eateries inside the airport to occupy your time whilst you wait for your flight. One of our favourites sells a huge array of pashminas in all the colours of the rainbow. They are very cheap, about $10, and you can choose one to match any outfit. In fact you may find it difficult to decide which of the gorgeous colours you like best!
The largest, and probably the busiest concourse, is Concourse E, which has a Food Court. Here you will also find the Miami International Airport Hotel. Whilst nothing like as spectacular as the wonderful Hyatt hotel in Orlando International Airport, it still offers convenience and a most amazing view of Miami and the airport. This 260 room hotel has been newly renovated, and offers sound-proofed rooms. Porters will meet you at the baggage claim on your arrival, which is a nice touch when you are weary. There is a roof top Health Club, and from the Top of the Port Restaurant on the 7th floor you can take in panoramic views of the airport runways and the Miami skyline. This restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and is worth trying if you want a more ‘up-market’ dining experience than you will find in the concourses, where there are mainly fast food outlets.
One of our tips is to take a trip to the top of the hotel, on Level 8, where there is a roof-top swimming pool and pool side snack bar. If you have time to spare before your flight, you can sit up here and sip a cool drink around the pool, or have a quick snack in the warm Florida sunshine, before you have to leave it all behind. You can walk right round an outer walkway and the views of Miami and the airport are stunning. It’s a great place to take photos.
If you arrive late, and have a long journey to Orlando to do, then it may well be worth spending your first night here, as you can relax and have a meal, soak away the aches and pains of Transatlantic travel, or simply sink into a comfortable bed. Then the next morning you will wake early, take breakfast, collect you hire car and be on your way, relaxed and refreshed for the journey before you.
Rita Fraser
OV Ref: 576
25th July 2005
There are plenty of shops and eateries inside the airport to occupy your time whilst you wait for your flight. One of our favourites sells a huge array of pashminas in all the colours of the rainbow. They are very cheap, about $10, and you can choose one to match any outfit. In fact you may find it difficult to decide which of the gorgeous colours you like best!
The largest, and probably the busiest concourse, is Concourse E, which has a Food Court. Here you will also find the Miami International Airport Hotel. Whilst nothing like as spectacular as the wonderful Hyatt hotel in Orlando International Airport, it still offers convenience and a most amazing view of Miami and the airport. This 260 room hotel has been newly renovated, and offers sound-proofed rooms. Porters will meet you at the baggage claim on your arrival, which is a nice touch when you are weary. There is a roof top Health Club, and from the Top of the Port Restaurant on the 7th floor you can take in panoramic views of the airport runways and the Miami skyline. This restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and is worth trying if you want a more ‘up-market’ dining experience than you will find in the concourses, where there are mainly fast food outlets.
One of our tips is to take a trip to the top of the hotel, on Level 8, where there is a roof-top swimming pool and pool side snack bar. If you have time to spare before your flight, you can sit up here and sip a cool drink around the pool, or have a quick snack in the warm Florida sunshine, before you have to leave it all behind. You can walk right round an outer walkway and the views of Miami and the airport are stunning. It’s a great place to take photos.
If you arrive late, and have a long journey to Orlando to do, then it may well be worth spending your first night here, as you can relax and have a meal, soak away the aches and pains of Transatlantic travel, or simply sink into a comfortable bed. Then the next morning you will wake early, take breakfast, collect you hire car and be on your way, relaxed and refreshed for the journey before you.
Rita Fraser
OV Ref: 576
25th July 2005