Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel Miami Airport

Not as great as it may seem!

Where to start....horrible location unless you have a car. There is a hole in the wall food place within walking distance but nothing in English whatsoever. Very difficult to even order delivery unless you speak Spanish. The restaurant in the hotel has decent food but is only open for 3 hours at night. The front desk staff was rude and so was the breakfast staff. Once again, the breakfast staff did not speak English so it was very difficult to communicate. The no-longer complimentary continental breakfast was a joke! They say there is a complimentary shuttle that takes you a few places like the mall and Walmart but (here’s the kicker) they won’t pick you up unless you bribe the driver to make another trip. Also, if you want to use their business center, the conciege starts a stopwatch and tracks how long you’re on because they charge you for computer use. I wish I was joking! The only thing close by that has any type of food is a Shell gas station across a busy intersection. If you need a place to stay for one night and all you’ll do is sleep than it would be ok. For anything else, pay a little more and stay somewhere else! Oh yeah, and there was construction in the lobby and the ceiling was leaking in another public room. Probably one of the worst hotel experiences ever.

mediocre

Had to wait over one hour to be picked up by "shuttle" service. Hotel in fairly unimpressive area of town. Had to go in back door as works going on at front. Restaurant pretty dismal looking. Parts of hotel look like they could do with a lick of paint and general repairs. But room clean and service fine.

impressed

I always stay at Howard Johnson just love the service you get from the bellmen they are very helpfull and kind go out of they way to help you gives you advice on any thing you ask them, The older one I think his name is maurice, and a younger one his name is Rena, they always have a smile for you. The room attendents do not speak english but they try to be friendly communication is kind of difficult some times but we manange. The young guy at front desk Rena he is ok, but some of the ladies are a little short mannered.After all this the hotel is very good.

Perfect for a short stay

Good situated. Near airport. Enough (free) parking. Perfect for 2 days

NOT IMPRESSED

Only stay at this hotel if you do not mind your belongings being stolen from your vehicle. I checked in at 3:30 and about 5:30 (2 hours later) my vehicle was already broken into and items stolen. The security cameras in the parking lot do not work and when i went to the front desk all they did was call the police for us nothing more. My advice do not stay there.

Reasonable value

The hotel was under renovation so some allowance must be made for that. The disco is too noisy if you’re on a lower floor, and the breakfast arrangement is pretty basic. However, the hotel is conveniently located for mall shopping and commuting by car.

Is this Hialeah or Havana?

I knew there was a large spanish presence in Miami, but this hotel really illustrates that point. From the really loud music in the nightclub to the very helpful staff, you know you’re in Miami. It was a little far from the area I usually like to frequent (fort lauderdale, boca), but the hotel itself is very well kept and the staff goes out of their way to ensure a good stay. I wouldn’t stay again, but that’s only because the location doesn’t really work for me. Other than that, the hotel itself was a homerun. Highly recommended. They deserve an extra 1/2 star. And for you single gents, the nightclub attracts some very pretty chicas.

Traveler's tip on dining

The 24 hr (at least on weekends) Taco Bell made for great late night snacks.

Under Construction

The hotel is good, the rooms are nice and comfortable, the location is convenient to travel by car, but it is not pretty, I do not recommend the disco

Convenient Location

No big deal about this hotel. The complimentary breakfast is boring - no coffee included.The free shuttle service was dependable though a bit late at times.The staff at the front desk was helpful. After i checked in got a call enquiring if i was ok with the room

love the location and view from the east of the hotel

fair

Traveler's tip on shopping

becareful of the heavy traffic

It is a good hotel

It is a good hotel for the rate offer.

Acceptable

The hotel was ok, we just had one problem, one day the decide not to clean our bedroom, I called the front desk and a lazy lady appeared in the room saying it’s not her work so she wont clean it.

Traveler's tip on shopping

30 minutes from Saw Grass Mills Mall and 20 minutes from Dolphin Mall.

Suitable for the price

The Hotel is located in a shopping commercial area. It has a good parking and serve a good breakfast. They’re going to remodel.

wonderful for the price and near freeways

nice hotel, polite staff, good breakfast included, the swimming pool is clean and peaceful

Best Price Value Hotel in Miami

We stayed in this hotel for four days and this was the best price value hotel that we had on our trip. Nice staff, clean rooms, good service and good rate per night. The rooms were even better than a Raddisson hotel we had in Key West and far superior to a hotel we had at Isla Morada. I would recommend this hotel to every one that is travelling to Miami.

Fair Price, good location, nice people.

The bright side: 1. Hotel rooms are very comfy and clean 2. Staff was nice and most of them speak spanish 3. They offer Shuttle bus to Miami Airport and to several mall around the area, including sawgrass mills. 4. The price was fair for what you get. 5. Location is great. The dark side: 1. Breakfast was very limited just cereal or bread (and they didn’t offer peanut butter) 2. They were just remodeling the hotel so it look messy at the lobby. Anyway, we spended the whole day out and around so we’re only in the hotel at night and at breakfast. It’s just what you payed for.

I am back for this coming week

Always have I been to Howard J and I enjoy the service I receive Tums up.

remodeling pays off

I guess they have remodeled the place. It was large enough, clean. the windows and stuff are painted over, but you can tell that it was an old building. everything is pretty nice. cleaning crews didnt speak English, but they cleaned my room nicely.

Traveler's tip on saving a few bucks

get the room with the kitchen. its only couple bucks more. there wasnt a very yummy restaurant round, at least for me.

Was not impressed this trip

I’ve always stayed at this hotel, but for this trip it was not what I expected. The hotel carpet was wet and not sure where the water was coming from. We were not changed from the room until the next day. The next room we received the a/c was not cooling like it should. I hope that the next trip I make that things will be a whole lot better.

will be back

had problem with air. but they switch us to an other room, staff was always nice, they are renovating. great location, we will be back next year.

Wonderful stay...would definitely return

The hotel was located right in the middle of all the locations I planned on visiting. The staff was great, very friendly and helpful. My room was great also...very peaceful.

Traveler's tip on getting the most out of your stay

Good location to access attractions both north and south.

not too impressed

the hotel front desk person who checked us in was not very friendly at all. she never looked us in the face, always talking to us and looking down. the breakfast continental was terrible, so was the manager that worked the breakfast area....however, the cleaning people were wonderful..

not impressed

Good things-perfect location for shopping and the beds were extremely comfortable and bath clean. The hotel looked like it needed a facelift.I took off the AC while I was out one of the days and when I return I was stiffling with the smoke. It was horrible. The breakfast although it said continental was a bagel and butter.I have never in my life seen this. You had to pay for ham and eggs etc. Unacceptable and low! I took it as an insult!!!

very pleased

pillow-top mattress, just like home, no problem with shuttle, pleased with free breakfast

Traveler's tip

good stopover for Miami Airport

Read the fine print

Beware that this is 20 minutes from the airport without traffic. We had to wait an hour at the airport for their shuttle service. I think the word "airport" in the name of the hotel is very misleading. Also, hours are limited for shuttle. Our flight was early morning so there was not a shuttle available and it was a $40 taxi ride.We ate at the restaraunt in the airport and their dancing music in the next room was outrageously loud. We could not enjoy our conversation. The dinner was great but hurried through it to leave asap.

Traveler's tip

Price was right until the taxi was included.