The main reason people stay at the Days Inn Miami International Airport is that it offers regular free shuttle service to and from the airport (leaving the motel every half hour between 5 AM until 2 AM every day except Monday morning, when the last one is at 1:30 AM). There is also a free shuttle to Port of Miami based on registered 2 adults per room, $10.00 charge for all additional person. I don't know anything about the logistics of the shuttle to the port or to the Merchant Mart (also free), but have taken the airport shuttle a total of eight times. The four to the upper (departure) level were on time. Somehow I seem to have missed one on one of the times I wanted to go to the motel and waited a total of 40 minutes. That was frustrating, certainly, but it is possible I didn't see one of the vans.

TheDays Inn Miami International Airport is certainly not my favorite place to stay, but is serviceable. It is AAA-approved, which dumps are not.

In my experience the rooms have been clean, the beds comfortable, and the televisions large. The cable options include 5 HBO channels, 3 ESPN ones, CNN, and I watched the last 7/8ths of the Super Bowl on one.

Off the lobby are two computers, only one of which functions. It could be the least ergonomically sound one I've ever experienced, since the screen is viewed through a glass window under the surface where the keyboard is. Craning the neck to look down beyond the keyboard was a novel experience, but I still wanted to check my E-mail as was able to, alright?

The front desk staff was not notably rude or incompetent. More comfortable in Spanish than English, but not lacking in fluency or comprehension of English (the same cannot be said for the staff at the adjacent restaurant, but it is a separate business).

The 11 AM checkout time is annoying for those with mid-afternoon flights. This seems to be hardly anyone, since we were the only people on the 11 AM shuttle Thursday...

The pool was cool and a bit scummy. In the dark, I managed to step onto a ledge that was underwater (and was pleased at the tightness of my Nikes!). It also is built on the freeway (836) side with lots of road noise.

The rooms have coffee makers and coffee, irons, ironing boards, electric hair dryers. I liked the Sol-Terre shampoo provided. And the in-room safe. There was also a microwave and a refrigerator and an electric alarm clock, none of which we used. I did pick up complimentary copies of USA Today every morning, and a free Miami weekly.

I definitely liked the first room on our recent trip better than the second. The first was even-numbered—away from the highway and its noise—and on the second floor. On the way back we were on the fourth floor, in an odd-numbered room with significantly more traffic noise and a light switch between the beds that was inoperable (so we watched "Footloose" and went to sleep).

More very strange design is that the elevator is not by the lobby, but all the way at the other end. The first floor has some smoking rooms and the corridor smells like smoke. Except when moving luggage, we took the stairs (which are by the lobby).

There is plenty of parking, which there should be given the remoteness of the location from anything other than roads.

The worst feature for those shuttling in and out is this remoteness. The only restaurant anywhere nearby is attached to the motel, Mystic Dining and Dancing. Our first night there, a Friday, was disco night. The decibel level was not compatible with any conversation among those dining. The menu is also limited.

We were happy to pick up a car the next morning and to eat elsewhere the next two days (even without the doc), but, returning from Panamá, were too lethargic to taxi back to Versailles or somewhere else.

The noise level was reduced. Tuesday and Wednesday evenings there are salsa lessons on the dance-floor of the Mystic, mostly working on moves without music. This was entertaining to watch and it was nice to be able to hear each other and our waitress (the one with very marginal ability to communicate in English).

The breakfast offerings provide even less choice: continental breakfast or eggs how you want them cooked with deep-fried patties that are called "has browns" plus bacon, sausage or ham and an English muffin or toast (wheat or white, only).

Especially in that Steve got food poisoning, probably from ordering the churassco that had been good on our stay on the way down, I would recommend venturing out by taxi or getting take-out delivered (and especially on Friday evenings!). With a car and the culinary marvels of Miami to choose from, the Mystic should not be considered.

BTW, there are other Days Inn franchises in Miami, at least one of which also has airpor shuttles. This one is at 7250 NW 11th Street with NW 72nd Avenue the cross street (and a major one) There is an entrance/exit to/from 836 very nearby..

Finally, I have to mention the absurdity of the rack rate of $500. We paid $103.


Recommended: Yes