Best Western Hotels in Miami: Where to Stay, Miami Beach vs Mainland
Miami splits neatly into two different trip experiences: the barrier island of Miami Beach, with its sand and nightlife, and the mainland, home to the airport, cruise port, and neighborhoods like Coconut Grove and North Miami. Best Western's Miami-area properties sit on both sides of that divide, so the right pick depends on whether you're here for the beach, a cruise, or a mix of business and sightseeing. This guide walks through the main areas and the logistics of getting between them.
Miami Beach vs the Mainland
Miami Beach is the barrier island most visitors picture: wide sand, the Art Deco district in South Beach, and a walkable strip of restaurants and bars. Best Western Plus Atlantic Beach Resort sits in this beach-oriented part of town, which suits travelers who want to leave the car behind and spend most of their time on foot near the sand.
The mainland covers everything from Downtown Miami and the airport corridor to residential, leafier neighborhoods like Coconut Grove. Arya Hotel & Suites Coconut Grove, a WorldHotels Distinctive property under the Best Western umbrella, is in this quieter, marina-side neighborhood known for its tree cover, waterfront parks, and a slower pace than South Beach.
Best Western Plus North Miami/Bal Harbour is positioned on the mainland side near the northern end of the Miami Beach barrier island, close to Bal Harbour's shopping and the northern beaches, but with mainland pricing and a car-friendlier layout.
If beach time is the priority, staying on the island itself cuts out a daily commute. If you plan to explore Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, Downtown, or head out on a cruise, a mainland base with easier road access can make more sense.
Near the Airport and Cruise Port
Miami International Airport (MIA) is on the mainland, roughly midway between the northern suburbs and Downtown. None of the Best Western properties in Miami sit directly at the airport, so plan on a taxi, rideshare, or rental car for the transfer regardless of which hotel you choose.
PortMiami, one of the busiest cruise ports in the world, is just east of Downtown. Travelers doing a pre- or post-cruise stay should think about whether they want to be near the port itself (mainland, close to Downtown) or prefer a beach stay and are willing to add a short ride to the terminal on embarkation day.
Because Miami traffic can be unpredictable, especially around cruise turnaround days and rush hour, build in extra time for airport and port transfers rather than cutting it close.
Getting Around Miami
A rental car is the most flexible option if you're staying on the mainland and want to reach Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, Wynwood, or the Everglades day trips. Parking in Miami Beach itself can be limited and metered, so factor that into your plans if you're driving to the island.
Rideshare and taxis are widely available and are often the simplest way to cross between the mainland and Miami Beach without worrying about bridge traffic or parking.
Miami's Metrorail and Metromover cover parts of Downtown and the mainland but don't reach Miami Beach, so public transit alone won't cover a trip that mixes beach and mainland stays.
If your itinerary is Coconut Grove-centric, that neighborhood is walkable once you're there, with the marina, parks, and a small commercial strip within an easy stroll of a mainland hotel like Arya Hotel & Suites Coconut Grove.
How to Book the Best Rate
Rates for all of these Miami-area Best Western hotels change with season and demand, so always check the current live rate on bestwestern.online rather than relying on a number you saw elsewhere.
Booking direct means no third-party markup and no account required, which is useful if you want to compare the Miami Beach option against the mainland ones side by side before committing.
If your dates are flexible, try shifting a search by a day or two, since Miami pricing can swing around weekends, conventions, and cruise embarkation days.
Confirm cancellation terms at the time of booking, particularly during hurricane season (roughly June through November), when flexible plans are worth the small extra peace of mind.