Arrival/Check-In: InterContinental Miami is located on the shore of Biscayne Bay in downtown Miami. As a business hotel that attracts its fair share of leisure travelers, it’s a busy place. I was in town for a few days, so I was in and out in my rental car on a fairly regular basis. (Self-parking is not an option.) While the entrance was always bustling with activity, there was never a delay dropping my car, and I never waited more than a minute or two for the valet to retrieve my car when I was on my way out. The expansive lobby with its vaulted ceiling is acoustically daunting at first. There’s a sitting area, a bar and Toro Toro restaurant front and center. The check-in and concierge desks are off to the left. With plenty of attendants manning the front desk, I was on my way to my 29th-floor executive-level room (with complimentary access to Club InterContinental Lounge) within minutes of arrival.

Guest Quarters: The view from my room, overlooking Biscayne Bay toward the cruise ship terminal and South Beach, was phenomenal. While the wall-to-wall window maximized the vista, I sorely missed a balcony — or even a partial-open window panel. An L-shaped desk equipped with plenty of electric outlets and an Internet cable was situated to take in the view, while a comfortable settee tucked into the opposite corner was a perfect place to settle in with my laptop. A drapery control panel was on the wall adjacent to the king-sized bed, and the alarm clock included an iPod docking station. A large, flat-screen television sat on a credenza opposite the bed. The marble bath was adequate and functional if slightly awkward, with the closet and in-room safe located inside the bathroom.

Services/Amenities: While the rate difference between a guestroom and the same-class executive-level guestroom is likely to vary by season and demand, it’s a safe bet to pin the differential at $40–70 per night. The upcharge entitles guests to key-card access to Club InterContinental Lounge including daily continental breakfast, complimentary beverages throughout the day, evening cocktails and hors d’oeuvres (a spread that could easily suffice as a tapas-style meal), highspeed Internet access (available in-room at $11.95 per 24 hours) and health club access — double the value if you’re traveling as a couple. The hotel also boasts a 10-room spa and a small rooftop pool and bar overlooking the bay. The lobby bar and Toro Toro are hot spots with the after-work crowd.

The Experience: Located just seven miles from Miami International Airport and convenient to Miami’s Brickell Financial District, the Port of Miami, Bayside Marketplace and American Airlines Arena, InterContinental Miami is perfectly situated for business travelers. It’s also within walking distance of public transportation, a plus for travelers looking to explore beyond the business district.

GT CHECKLIST

• Doorman/valet
• Less than 10 minutes for check-in
• Separate tub and shower
• Large vanity
• High-quality towels
• Powerful unattached hair dryer
• High-quality bed linens
• Large, flat-screen television
• Large desk with convenient outlets
• Complimentary in-room WiFi
• Complimentary bottled water
• Stocked minibar
• Ample lighting
• In-room coffeemaker
• Iron and ironing board
• On-site restaurant and bar
• 24-hour room service
• State-of-the-art fitness center

InterContinental Miami

100 Chopin Plaza
Miami, FL 33131
tel 305 577 1000
icmiamihotel.com