Hotels near Port of Miami

[Mac1337]

We are going on our first cruise in a couple of weeks. Arriving the night before, I am looking for a hotel to stay. Where would be a good place to stay? Is South Beach near the port?

[OWC Jamie]

Is South Beach near the port?

Yes, but you have to swim. (It's a long ride around)

There's so much transportation in Miami that I'd recommend staying near the airport in a newer more modern hotel and taking a cab over to Dodge Island.
I'd take a blue shuttle to the hotel and then a cab to Dodge the next morning.

If you have a little bit of time to kill when you get there, a hotel within walking distance of Bayside Marketplace and walk over towards The Hard Rock Cafe where all the restaurants are. (there's a Hooters on the other end). Near Hooters is where one of the boat rides to see Biscayne Bay and Millionaires row operates from. There are at least a dozen interesting reastaurants in the Marketplace.

If you were arriving two days in advance, then I'd wholeheartedly recommend South Beach.
South Beach is certainly an option, I'd just want more time for all the walking around there.