Hilton Miami Airport Blue Lagoon — Hotel in Miami Springs

My family and I stayed at the hotel last Sunday (1/26). We had booked a 1 King Bedroom Suite last minute because my wife had a serious GI issue that required us to stay in Miami after she was hospitalized earlier the day.

Upon contacting the hotel and explaining that I only booked a suite so I could get my sick wife and child into a room because we didn't know if they were contagious, we were informed that there was a strict 4PM check in. Upon asking for a contact for a taxi that would be able to transport an infant, after just informing me that the concierge was the only one who could help me, the front desk attendant was very dissatisfied to transfer and even questioned what I needed from them after just telling me to speak with them.

I spoke to the concierge and asked for a taxi to pick us up at noon as we were leaving the ER. Not a problem he says. 12:15 rolls around and there's still no taxi. I call the hotel 6 times attempting to get ahold of someone, and finally had to call corporate to get somebody at the hotel to answer. It turns out the concierge had not ordered a taxi because the number that contacts them has to be at the pick up location. Why was I not called back and informed this?

We get a different taxi, we get to the hotel. It clearly used to be a great hotel that's just been let go. Everything just has a sheen of dullness that only comes from a lack of interest for the property. The carpet is covered in half eaten food, everything in the main hall is covered in dust and dirty as opposed to the posted pictures that show a bright and welcoming entrance. The real standout was the nice women in the Garden Cafe in the center, they were super helpful and welcoming.

At about 12:50 we see a group of flight attendants get their room keys as soon as they walk in, so I approached the desk to see about being able to check in early again. I was very graciously informed that the ONLY room I could check into was a junior suite that was next to the elevator and WOULD be extremely loud, and there would be no compensation provided for the noise or downgrade. Now, I have a sick daughter and wife, don't mind the downgrade, but obviously a loud room still isn't going to work - all of which I inform the front desk attendant - Chris. Chris being the great person he is then smiles at me and tells me "Okay, then AGAIN, there is NO early check in and check in will be AT 4".

Annoyed at terrible guest service, I went back to the couch that we were hanging out at in the main lobby waiting. For the next 2 hours we got to listen to Chris attempt to flirt with his co-worker non stop while my child alternated between sleeping and screaming non-stop for not feeling well.

Around 3PM, there was a change and a different woman was working the front desk. We saw another group of FAs and some guests actually getting assistance and getting through the line, so I hopped up. The front desk clerk gave us a phone number to text any questions to, and pre-checked us so that we would be able to quickly get through the check in process once we they were ready for us.

Apparently during this time, Chris had made enough of a scene in the main lobby that I had 2 people that I had never met before come up to me and ask what I did to piss him off. While doing the pre-check in process he had walked up, made some sort of disgusted noise and rolled his eyes at my back.

4 o'clock rolls around and the check in process starts. Now, they've been herding people for over 5 hours into the main lobby, so one would assume they had some sort of process to quickly help guests. One would assume wrong. The pictures of the people in line are from 5PM when we were STILL in line waiting to check in. Hilton had originally only opened 2 guest lines, the HH line, and the standard. After about 30 minutes, they had 2 people start to float, but they'd sit between 3 and 4 lines for most of the 2 hour check in process. The HH line also was the slowest as the third line would take people from the standard line, this upset quite a few people in the HH...

How is this Hotel 4.0, blows our mind. Read this!!! We chose to stay at this hotel based on its reputation for excellence, but our experience as Diamond Honor Members was disappointing. Most people associate Hilton with elegance and luxury. The only way to enjoy their properties and amenities was to stay on Hilton property. Despite the high cost we paid for our room, amenities, and pool bar with food and drinks, we were only given two bottles of water, which seemed inadequate and humorous to us. And to add to that, we actually had to request them. The property is very run down. The hallways are hot, the rooms are outdated and smell. If you have a balcony, most of them are not screened and full of mosquitos. The sheets are stained. There are bugs in the rooms. Check out this awesome sofa 🛋️ no back cushions.

Rather than following the traditional approach, we recommend a different strategy for enjoying your time at this hotel. The hotel sells day passes for $35 to non registered guests When purchasing a day pass, bring your own alcoholic beverages in a discreet manner and a bag for disposing of empty containers. You can also bring a Bluetooth speaker to enhance your experience. You can play it as loud as you want. You can also smoke at the pool, even though there are signs that you cannot do it. Management does not enforce the rules. The hotel and pool is full of low class and disrespectful people. Supervisor Hector seemed oblivious or indifferent to these activities, only addressing them after repeated instances of guests engaging in prohibited behaviors like smoking, playing loud music, or consuming outside alcohol. His response, if any, typically amounted to a simple request to lower the volume of the music. As soon as his back was turned, the low class, disrespectful day pass people increased the volume that it can be heard for miles.

We believe the best way to visit this hotel is to take advantage of day passes. Management does not check for wristbands. This alternative is not only more cost-effective but also allows you to reuse the same key for subsequent visits without additional payment. Get your hands on a key card, they don’t check. Supervisor Hector appears unconcerned with verifying this, and waiter Manuel is accommodating even when situations are not entirely correct. By tipping Manuel who works at the pool bar a few dollars, he will provide you with a clear plastic glasses for your own alcohol and handle the disposal of empty containers, demonstrating his kindness and helpfulness. What a nice employee.

Should you have any grievances, it is best to avoid seeking assistance from the unhelpful front desk supervisor, this blonde lady ignored the lady that we heard telling her what was going on. In summary, we recommend against paying for a room at this hotel and instead suggest opting for a day pass, $35 a day to access the facilities. This way, you can return with the same key without additional charges, as Supervisor Hector is unlikely to check if your key card is actually activated. Manuel will attend to your needs, even in unconventional circumstances.

Why pay for high nightly rates, when you can enjoy all the amenities for very little money. Plus when you purchase the day pass you get discounted parking fee. When you actually book a room, you pay full daily parking charges. And if you don't mind sharing the pool and facilities with non guests who are breaking all the rules, then this is the hotel for you. We on the other hand, will not be returning here. This hotel is a disgrace to the...

They market this hotel as an airport adjacent convenient hotel. Man, we this anything but convenient! The shuttle is posted as running every 30 minutes. Well, I hope there are 20 people or less hoping to be picked up, because otherwise, no dice. Tried to cell the front desk to ask exactly WHERE we should stand, but no one picked up at 7:15 pm to help out. I am here to say that DOOR 5/6 is the door you NEED to be at. That is the first stop and your only chance at getting on this bus. If I had known, I would have either a) spent the $35 on a XXL Uber OR b) just stayed at ANY OTHER PROPERTY.

Don’t worry, I contacted the hotel about giving me an upgrade because I am a diamond member, and they said they upgraded me to a “Lagoon View”. They asked “you currently have 2 beds, do you need 2 beds?” My response, “Yes, there are 4 of us”. When we FINALLY got there, they did upgrade me… to a king and pull-out… that’s what I want: to sleep on a pullout at a hotel. Went to make my own “bed” and mattress was covered in crumbs with no fitted sheets.

I asked about switching me back… but sadly they’re all sold out and can’t switch me… didn’t have a problem earlier in the day though! They did ask housekeeping to come up and “make” the pull-out.

So here I am, with this view of a parking lot, my wife and kids in a king bed and me, not sleeping on a pull out couch 20 hours after leaving my house and flying to Miami.

Never stay here. Stay away. I have stayed at SO many hiltons, and I am so disappointed in this hotel.

EDIT: Added an extra star. Found out that the rooms at This hotel are normally WAY smaller, and this room is, in fact, a junior suite. The upgrade is nice I guess because we have space, but still would have preferred 2 actual beds over a bunch of unused floor space.

Also, still haven’t seen room service to make the beds or give pillows. At this point, I am using this couch as a couch and just hoping we will get extra pillows eventually.

Silver lining, the room service guys were very nice.

SECOND EDIT: Told the front desk to forget about the bed. My kids are already asleep I just need a pillow to sleep on this couch like it’s a couch. Housekeeping showed, at 10pm up with sheets, no pillows. Told her “I just need pillows. Too late on the bed situation.” A few minutes later; pillows. At this point I am probably just jaded, but these pillows follow the “bag of chips” filling method, because they are 20% fluff and 80% nothing. MAYBE 3 pillows = one reasonable pillow. Fine. So here I lie, 10:20 pm, 3 pillows under my head, sleeping on a couch not long enough to hold my body, counting the minutes until we can get out of here. I will keep it at 2 stars. Maybe this is “Florida” nice?

THIRD EDIT: Well we survived it the night. I removed my added second star because of the night we had. Our room is across from the elevator and, MAN, they need to get those fixed! had to ensure to my kids no one was breaking in. The “clang clang clang” is the elevator. The “click click click” is the janky refrigerator. The metal scraping sound is… also the elevator? Oh man, what an upgrade! We keep telling the kids “the whole vacation won’t be like this”. My 8 year old just said “I don’t think Hilton is bad, I just think this is a bad Hilton”. Let hope so bud…...