If you want to stay close to the Miami International Airport,this an excellent option. Shoppers can also consider the Candlewood suites an alternative to stay, because it is only 10 minutes drive from the Dolphin Mall.

PRO's
- Free parking
- Free wifi
- Friendly staff
- Great room with new furniture and appliances
- Large TV with HD channels
- Clean bathroom
- Fridge and stove in the room
- Close to MIA
- Quiet room

CON's
- No complimentary breakfast
- The hotel is a little hidden from the trees and another hotel

Candlewood Miami Airport is by far the best choice in Miami. Whenever I go to Miami I always stay at Candlewood Maimi Airport. The hotel is simply fantastic and the staff is great (especially Shirley and Marco who are very kind and helpful.)

Another thing that I like a lot at Candlewood Miami Airport West is their cupboard. It's a great one! You can buy lots of things for a very cheap price. The other hotels in the area aren't as good as Candlewood and charge top dollar!

The wife and I stayed here in February 2012 the night before our cruise departed. We had an extremely stressful trip getting to Miami due to snow/ice up north where came from and multiple canceled flights. For an overnight stay, it was okay, but I'd choose to stay somewhere else next time.

Check-In
There was a large group in front of us checking in (appeared to be a soccer team in town for a tournament) and only one front desk staff member to assist, so while I was frustrated at the amount of time it took to check in, I was understanding.

Room
Our first room we went to did not have working A/C. We requested to be transferred to another room, but were told that they were sold out for the night. I pulled out my Priority Club membership card, and the staff member "bumped" someone that had not yet arrived from their room so that we could have working A/C (I feel bad for that person when he/she arrived). The other complaint I have is that since the rooms are mini-suites, they include a kitchenette. This led to the room smelling of burned food from those that had cooked there before us.

Amenities
One nice thing about the Candlewood chain is that they include a "pantry store" where you can pickup frozen meals, Pop-Tarts, sodas and the like and have the charges billed to your room. This is convenient for us since we had not had dinner when we arrived, nor is breakfast offered here in the mornings (presumably because you have cookware in your room).

Location
I bit farther away than I thought - I believe it was a $25 taxi ride from the airport in minimal traffic, and a $40 taxi ride the next morning to the cruise terminal. Next time I'll stay somewhere on the east side of the airport and save money on cab fare.

Summary
I really didn't want to knock this place too hard, but I agree with another reviewer who said that it needs some TLC. But, until that happens, I'd recommend staying somewhere else.

I've never stayed at a Candlewood Suite before but if this place is like all of them, I certainly will again. The thing that impressed us about there was how they think of everything - they have complimentary laundry services, a mini shop to make food purchases, a gym, free wifi, and the rooms are fitted out with a kitchen. We were a couple traveling, but this would be a great option for families. The staff were really helpful with everything too. I didn't expect much from here, and as a a result, I was very happy we stayed.