Hotel Recommendation

Question

I am thinking about staying at Yotel in Miami the day before my cruise. Has anyone stayed there before? If so, recommendations please.

Thanks!

Answer

Yes — YOTEL Miami is actually a really solid choice for a pre-cruise stay. Here’s a breakdown of pros and things to watch out for, based on actual guest experience and hotel-info:

What’s to Like About YOTEL Miami Before a Cruise

Excellent Location for PortMiami: The hotel is very close to the cruise port — about 0.7 miles away, which is roughly a 5–7 minute drive.
Pre-/Post Cruise Package Available: YOTEL offers a special pre/post-cruise package that gives you early check-in and late check-out to align better with your cruise schedule.
Modern, Tech-Forward Design: The rooms are compact but cleverly designed, with features like mood lighting, a “SmartBed” that adjusts, USB ports, and Smart TVs.
Great Rooftop Pool & Lounge: On the 12th floor, there’s a rooftop pool with city skyline views (Vela Sky), which is perfect for relaxing before your cruise.
Food & Drink Options On-Site: There are two on-site places — Vela Miami (ground floor) has global-inspired fare, and Vela Sky up on the roof offers light bites and cocktails.
Fitness-Friendly: A 24-hour gym is available, so you can squeeze in a workout before setting sail.
Easy Access Around Downtown: The hotel is walkable to downtown attractions, and right next to a Metromover station, which is free and super handy.

Things to Consider / Potential Drawbacks

Parking Is Valet Only: YOTEL does not have self-parking; it offers valet parking on-site.
Parking Cost: Some guests have flagged that overnight parking via the valet can be expensive (reports on Reddit mention ~$55).
No Dedicated Shuttle: While there’s no regular hotel shuttle to PortMiami, you’re so close that most people just take a quick Uber or taxi.
Compact Rooms: Because YOTEL is very space-efficient, rooms might feel small if you have a lot of luggage or want more “room to spread out.”

Real Guest Feedback

Several cruisers who stayed at YOTEL reported that it’s “clean, comfortable, and centrally located.”
One Reddit traveler said: “Nice pool too!”

Bottom Line: If you’re looking for a stylish, modern, no-frills place to stay the night before (or after) your cruise, YOTEL Miami checks a lot of boxes—especially for location and convenience. That said, be ready for valet parking costs and make sure to use the pre-/post-cruise package if timing matters.