Place to sleep after overnight flight

Question

Hi there. Please can anybody help. We are flying over night from San diego to miami International in July. We then pick up our car from the airport and will make our way to the Keys. We land at approx 6am and wondered if there was any hotel rooms that would rent a room for a few hours so we can get a couple hours sleep. Thanks in advance

Answer

Arriving early in the morning at Miami International Airport and needing a few hours of sleep before driving to the Keys is a common scenario, and there are several options to consider. While standard hotels usually have check-in times around 3pm or 4pm, some places offer day-use rooms or allow early check-ins for a fee.

Here are some practical options for catching a few hours of rest:

Airport hotels with early check-in: Hotels located very close to MIA often accommodate early arrivals if rooms are available. Examples include:

Miami International Airport Hotel (inside the airport, ideal for short naps and very convenient)
Sheraton Miami Airport Hotel & Executive Meeting Center
Hilton Miami Airport Blue Lagoon
Pullman Miami Airport

Day-use hotels: Some apps and websites like Dayuse.com or HotelsByDay specialize in booking hotel rooms for a few hours during the day. You can book a 3-6 hour block starting at your landing time, which can be more affordable than a full night.
Airport lounges: If you only need a short rest and don’t mind basic comfort, some lounges or sleep pods near the airport terminals allow paid access for a few hours.

Tips for early arrivals:

Call the hotel in advance to confirm early check-in or day-use availability. Even if the hotel doesn’t advertise it, they may accommodate if rooms are available.
Consider booking a room the night before to guarantee early access; some hotels allow check-in as early as 6am if you reserve the prior night.
Factor in traffic to the Keys—Miami to Key Largo or Key West can take 1–3 hours depending on your destination—so plan your nap duration accordingly.

In summary, your best options are the airport hotel inside MIA for convenience, nearby hotels offering early check-in, or using day-use hotel booking platforms to secure a few hours of rest before your drive.