Flying in a day or two ahead of sailing, or hanging around a while post-cruise,  makes the transition from the realm of real responsibilities to the carefree world of cruise travel an easy one.  Before we moved to within driving distance of Florida cruise ports and were commuting from Kansas, coming in early or staying later was desirable.  When that cruise left from exciting Miami, arriving early was almost a must.  Covering a variety of pre- or post-cruise hotels, here is a new one to consider; the Metropolitan by COMO, Miami Beach.

For all practical purposes, those flying in to Miami pre-cruise stay in one of two places; Downtown Miami or South Beach, both of which are easy to get to from the Miami airport (MIA) and not far from Port Miami.  Though in the heart of South Beach, the 74-room  Metropolitan by COMO, Miami Beach hotel is a sanctuary of tranquility and quiet seclusion for its guests, a true departure from the overcrowded, overhyped establishments of the area.

A new hotel poised to become an essential Miami Beach experience, Metropolitan Miami Beach delivers the perfect blend of rest and revelry, urban modernity and period charm

Getting There
Located on Collins Avenue on highway A1A (the main drag of South Beach) the hotel is steps away from a beautiful Miami beach sunrise for those who are just too excited to sleep the day of embarkation.  This would be a great place transportation-wise too; a single cab ride from the airport puts travelers in the heart of South Beach where dining and shopping opportunities are plentiful. Another cab ride takes them to Port Miami on their own schedule.

Time To Kill?  Kill It Here
Even if travelers are only in Miami for a few hours, they can enjoy a spa treatment and dip in COMO Shambhala Urban Escape’s rooftop hydrotherapy pool. The Traymore restaurant is an excellent place to grab a bite as its menu offers the best seasonal seafood, sourcing local, Floridian produce, including stone crabs, grilled octopus, and yellow tail snapper. In addition, the signature COMO Shambhala menu is offered at The Traymore, which also focuses on providing high quality ingredients, especially organic food rich in vitamins and minerals. The Traymore Bar, the first and only bar offering a dedicated Gin Club in the area, serves premium and carefully crafted cocktails featuring over 30 artisanal gins.

Photo Gallery