Is The Grayson Miami Downtown worth it? Honest pros and cons
Yes — The Grayson Miami Downtown is a solid choice if you want a modern, full-service downtown hotel with strong location advantages (walking distance to museums, the arena and Bayside) and rooftop pool/food-and-drink options. It’s not an all-inclusive resort and carries a mandatory daily destination charge plus valet parking, so factor those costs in.
In this guide
Location and neighborhood
The Grayson Miami Downtown sits at 1100 Biscayne Boulevard in the heart of Downtown Miami, overlooking Biscayne Bay. The address puts you within easy walking reach of major cultural and entertainment sites.
Walkable nearby highlights listed by the hotel include the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM), the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, Bayside Marketplace, and the Kaseya Center (home of the Miami Heat). That makes the hotel convenient for museum visits, concerts and arena events.
- Address: 1100 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, FL 33132
- Frost Science, PAMM, Adrienne Arsht Center and Kaseya Center all roughly a short walk away
- Metromover/Omni/Brickell loops and free city trolleys nearby to reach other neighborhoods
| Nearby spot | Approx. walk |
|---|---|
| Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science | ~3 minutes |
| Kaseya Center (arena) | ~7 minutes |
| Bayside Marketplace | ~8 minutes |
Rooms and views — what to expect
The property lists nine room types ranging from City View Room to One Bedroom Suite with Balcony. Many room categories are sized and described on the hotel page; several room types offer Bay View, City View or private balconies.
If a bay or balcony view matters, book a Bay View Room, Bay View with Balcony Room, Corner Bay View Jr Suite with Balcony or Bay View with Balcony categories that specifically promise bay-facing windows or terraces.
- City View Room (388 sq. ft., 1 King Bed)
- Bay View Room (388 sq. ft., 1 King Bed)
- Pool View with Terrace Room (581 sq. ft., 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds)
| Room type | Size / Guests |
|---|---|
| City View Room | 388 sq. ft. / 2 Guests |
| Bay View with Balcony Room | 501 sq. ft. / 2 Guests |
| Pool View with Terrace Room | 581 sq. ft. / 4 Guests |
Pools, rooftop bar and outdoor spaces
The Grayson features two outdoor pools and a 14th-floor rooftop infinity pool deck with a poolside bar and seating. The rooftop is used for both guest recreation and event functions, and the hotel mentions free cabanas, loungers, umbrellas and towels on the pool deck.
If you want to use the rooftop facilities, note they’re on the 14th floor; the pool deck and rooftop bar can also function as event space for meetings or receptions.
- 14th-floor rooftop infinity pool with poolside bar
- Two outdoor pools total; pool deck offers cabanas and loungers
- Pool Terrace is also listed among the hotel’s event spaces
| Feature | Notes |
|---|---|
| Rooftop infinity pool | Located on 14th floor; views of Biscayne Bay |
| Poolside bar | Serves cocktails and small plates |
| Pool terrace | Available as an event space |
Dining, bars and in-room dining
On-site dining options include Grayson Kitchen (breakfast and dinner), Seasons Café (coffee, pastries and daytime fare) and the 14th-floor Rooftop Bar (listed also as Bella's Rooftop Bar on some sites) for cocktails with bay views. In-Room Dining serves the restaurant menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Grayson Kitchen’s published hours are breakfast 7:00 AM–11:00 AM and dinner 5:00 PM–10:00 PM; Seasons Café is listed 7:00 AM–7:00 PM. The rooftop bar’s hours vary and the concierge can confirm current service times.
- Grayson Kitchen: breakfast 7:00 AM–11:00 AM and dinner 5:00 PM–10:00 PM
- Seasons Café: daily 7:00 AM–7:00 PM (coffee, pastries, casual fare)
- Rooftop Bar / Bella’s Rooftop Bar: cocktails and small plates; hours vary
| Venue | Typical service |
|---|---|
| Grayson Kitchen | Breakfast & Dinner (hotel-listed hours) |
| Seasons Café | Coffee, pastries & daytime fare |
| Rooftop Bar | Cocktails & small plates; 14th floor |
Wellness, spa and fitness
The Grayson Miami Downtown includes Alicia Med Spa on the 4th floor, offering a range of medical and wellness treatments. Spa hours listed by the hotel are Sunday–Friday 10:00 AM–6:00 PM (closed Saturday); reservations are required for treatments.
A 24-hour Fitness Center is available and access is included with the hotel’s daily destination charge. The destination charge also lists premium Wi‑Fi, complimentary bicycles and yoga/fitness classes among included amenities.
- Alicia Med Spa (4th floor) — reservations required; Sunday–Friday 10 AM–6 PM, closed Saturday
- 24-hour Fitness Center included in daily destination charge
- Destination charge covers premium Wi‑Fi and access to bicycles and fitness/yoga classes
| Wellness feature | Note |
|---|---|
| Alicia Med Spa | Medical and wellness treatments; contact details on hotel site |
| Fitness Center | Open 24 hours; included with destination charge |
| Fitness classes | Yoga/fitness classes included with destination charge (subject to availability) |
Practicalities: rates, fees, parking and family rules
The hotel applies a mandatory daily destination charge (it covers premium Wi‑Fi, fitness center access and some extras). At check-in the hotel places an incidental deposit (the hotel states a $150 per day hold) in addition to room and tax charges.
Valet parking is available for a nightly surcharge; self-parking is not available and oversized vehicles are not accommodated on site. The hotel welcomes guests of all ages, but the lead guest checking in must be 21 or older.
- Daily destination charge applies (covers premium Wi‑Fi, fitness center, etc.)
- Incidental deposit required at check-in (hotel lists a $150 per day hold)
- Valet parking only; self-parking not available; oversized vehicles not accepted
- Lead guest must be 21+ to check in; children are welcome but balconies/terraces may need supervision
| Policy | Hotel detail |
|---|---|
| Check-in age | Lead guest must be 21+ to check in |
| Incidental hold | $150 per day hold listed on hotel site |
| Parking | Valet parking only; no self-park |
Events and meetings
The Grayson offers a range of event and meeting spaces totaling over 8,500 sq. ft. on official listings, with options from small boardrooms and private dining to larger spaces such as G Bar Venue and rooftop Pool Terrace. Capacities vary by room; for example the G Bar is listed as accommodating up to 300 guests for cocktail events.
If you’re planning a meeting or wedding, the hotel provides A/V and catering services and multiple flexible rooms (PDR, Library Lounge, The Studio, Suite 1410, Rooftop Bar / Pool Terrace). Confirm capacities and layouts with the hotel when booking.
- Total event space listed on the hotel site and venue directories as over 8,500 sq. ft.
- Event rooms include G Bar Venue, PDR (Private Dining Room), The Studio and Library Lounge
- Rooftop Pool Terrace can be used for receptions and events on the 14th floor
| Event space | Typical maximum |
|---|---|
| G Bar Venue | Up to 300 guests (cocktail) |
| PDR (Private Dining Room) | About 90 guests |
| The Studio | Capacity ~60 (varies by layout) |
