While the InterContinental Miami, an IHG hotel, has lorded over the sparkling turquoise waters of Biscayne Bay in Downtown Miami for more than 40 years, it has evolved – much like the city itself. Fresh off a multi-million-dollar renovation, the iconic hotel shed its former business-centric persona in favor of a more luxe vacation vibe, with rooms and suites that match the enviable bayfront setting.
What hasn’t changed? It’s prime perch near Miami’s top cultural and entertainment attractions. From some rooms, you can even spot the cruise port – so, cruisers may catch a glimpse of their ship before setting sail.
Why stay at InterContinental Miami
If you want a pulse-check on Miami, the hotel’s lobby scene captures the city’s international energy. A swirl of languages babbles through the air as a steady stream of global travelers passes through. You’ll still spot the suits riding the lobby escalators to the sprawling conference rooms and ballrooms, but there’s also a solid mix of groups and families celebrating milestone occasions, pre-and post-cruise guests, and dog parents like me, who want to take advantage of the hotel’s pet-friendly perks. Everyone is here for the convenient location: parks, museums and the Miami Heat sports arena are just steps outside the hotel’s front doors. It’s also close to public transportation that will zip guests to the airport and around Miami.
The massive lobby is a lot to visually unpack—grandly wrapped in Florentine marble and bathed in neon lights (a reminder that you are indeed in Miami, not Italy)—with a mammoth marble sculpture, ‘The Spindle’ by Sir Henry Moore, commanding center stage. Fun fact: the entire hotel was designed around the sculpture and it had to be helicoptered in from above.
But venture beyond the lobby and you’ll find refreshed guest rooms dripping in happy hues that mirror Miami’s sun-soaked lifestyle, plus blissful amenities like a private club lounge and a sky-high pool with epic bay views. The hotel keeps pace with Miami’s energy through weekly programming, from salsa nights to art shows, and dog-centric happy hours where pups romp on the terrace lawn while their owners sip on themed cocktails.
What are the rooms like at the InterContinental Miami?
A sharp departure from the lobby’s heavy travertine marble, the refreshed guest rooms are now drenched in coastal colors and cheerful patterns that feel oh-so-Miami. Think: nautical-striped carpeting, patterned throw pillows, and colorful art. All rooms flaunt views – whether of the Miami skyline, the bay, or the ocean – which are so good, you’ll wish there were balconies (sadly, there aren’t).
Choose from rooms with a king bed or two queen-size beds, spacious suites, and even two-story Presidential Suites. I stayed in a Club Level InterContinental Suite and, with a U-shaped layout, there was plenty of room to bounce between the oversized bedroom and the separate living room, which looked like it was pulled straight from a design magazine. The entryway was plastered with coral palm-leaf wallpaper and whimsical touches like luxury art books and colorful artwork. The bed was fluffy and cloud-like, and smell-good Byredo bath products added to the luxury of having two marble-floor bathrooms. These larger rooms are the ones to book for more space and more vacation-personality.
From my window, I could see the cruise ships docked at PortMiami and the glistening bay stretched out in front of me. Even though the hotel is in the heart of downtown, my room was surprisingly quiet. Since I was traveling with my dog, the hotel hooked him up with treats, a dog tent and more goodies.
What are the best things to eat and drink at the InterContinental Miami?
It’s easy to dismiss hotel restaurants, but the InterContinental lays claim to a gem that even locals tend to forget. Chef Richard Sandoval’s pan-Latin steakhouse, Toro Toro, delivers spot-on ceviches—my favorite was the Amarillo, made with ahi tuna instead of the typical white fish, in a sweet, yet spicy mango sauce—and specialties like the lomo saltado, featuring beef filet crowned with paper-thin crispy potatoes over creamy jasmine rice. You also can’t go wrong with the fresh catch of the day.
Since my room was on the Club Level, I had access to the newly refreshed private lounge, a sophisticated space perfect for unwinding with a glass of wine or knocking out work. Club perks include a generous breakfast spread, afternoon tea, and evening happy hour. If you’re not staying in a suite or a club-level room, you can buy daily access for $100, so that’s a personal budget choice if it’s worth it or not.
What is the service like at the InterContinental Miami?
This is a busy hotel, yet somehow the staff never make you feel like a number, and that could be down to the fact that some of them have been team members for decades. Check-in was smooth and fast, and the friendly front desk attendant was quick to offer tips – like guiding me to the nearby Metrorail’s Orange Line, which gets you to the airport for $2.25. The staff also doted on my dog, and the bellman remembered our names the next day.
What are the gym, pool and spa like at the InterContinental Miami?
You might forget you’re in the hectic heart of downtown Miami when you retreat to the hotel’s breezy pool deck in the sky. Here, swaying palm trees and sweeping views of Biscayne Bay will lull you into vacation mode. It feels only right to order a tropical cocktail from the bar and take frequent dips in the pool. The hotel’s newest flex? A row of glassy cabanas available to rent for the day or special celebrations.
The pool is on the same floor as the gym, which has everything you need for a solid workout, and mySpa offers treatments ranging from hydrafacials to hot stone massages.
What’s the area like around the InterContinental Miami?
The hotel is just steps from Bayfront Park, where locals jog and take leisurely walks along the bay, and where the city’s longstanding New Year’s Eve celebrations happen annually. There’s also a dog park where pups can run free directly in front of the hotel, a coveted perk for pet parents.
Since parking in downtown Miami can be dreadful, the hotel makes exploring Miami’s attractions on foot, or by a quick rideshare, easy. It’s a five-minute walk to Bayside Marketplace, a tourist haven lined with shops, restaurants, bars and boat tours, and a little further to the Kaseya Center, where you can watch the Miami Heat basketball team play. It’s also one mile from the Perez Art Museum Miami (PAMM), the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, and the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts if you want to catch a Broadway show.
Why you should book a stay at the InterContinental Miami
The iconic hotel has stepped up its leisure game, with something for every type of traveler, not just the business set. Think of it as an old friend who suddenly got a glow-up—still dependable with its prime location with easy access to attractions and transportation—yet with a breezier attitude that’s down for anything, whether it’s rest or turning up in a Miami-style.
To make the most of your stay, book a suite with a killer water view and sync your stay around their weekly programming. Salsa, anyone? As with most Miami hotels, you’ll score the best deals during the summer slump or mid-week.
DETAILS
Address: InterContinental Miami 100 Chopin Plaza, Miami, FL 33131
Price per night: Rates can go as low as $189 per night in summer mid-week, with peak season rates starting at $299
Closest transport: Miami International Airport is a 20-minute drive
Book now: via Booking.com
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