Water access and cruises: Port of Miami, water taxi and South Beach beach chairs

YOTEL Miami sits in downtown Miami one block from Bayside Marketplace and within easy reach of the Port of Miami; guests can take a short rideshare/taxi to cruise terminals or use the Bayside water taxi with a YOTEL guest discount. As part of the facility-fee benefits, YOTEL guests receive two daily complimentary beach chairs in South Beach at the Boucher Brothers station and access to a rooftop pool deck (Vela Sky).
In this guide
- Port of Miami and cruise access from YOTEL Miami
- Water Taxi from Bayside Marketplace to South Beach
- South Beach beach chairs included with your stay
- Getting from YOTEL Miami to the docks and South Beach
- Pool, beach and on-site comforts: planning a beach day
- Practical tips, policies and room choices for beach/cruise travelers
Port of Miami and cruise access from YOTEL Miami
YOTEL Miami's address is 227 NE 2nd St in Downtown Miami, placing it near the Port of Miami cruise terminals. The hotel notes a typical rideshare or taxi trip to the port takes about 9–10 minutes (roughly 1.8 miles).
If you are cruising, many guests stay downtown the night before embarkation and take a short taxi, rideshare, or private transfer to the terminal on embarkation day. The hotel is also convenient for post-cruise returns to downtown.
- Hotel address for drivers: 227 NE 2nd St, Miami, FL 33132
- Typical taxi/rideshare time to Port of Miami: about 9–10 minutes (dependent on traffic)
- Ask the hotel for luggage storage or late checkout options if your cruise timing requires it
| Useful on-site / nearby options | Notes |
|---|---|
| Rideshare / taxi | Fastest way to Port of Miami; time varies by traffic |
| Hotel luggage storage | Available through hotel services — ask reception/crew |
| Metromover + transit | Metromover serves downtown but is not a direct cruise-terminal connection |

Water Taxi from Bayside Marketplace to South Beach
Bayside Marketplace is a short walk from YOTEL Miami; Water Taxi Miami runs a daily shuttle between Bayside and the South Beach Marina across Biscayne Bay. The crossing takes about 1 hour 15 minutes each way according to the property information.
YOTEL notes guests receive a discount on Water Taxi fares when using the hotel keycard. Check current schedules and boarding locations at Bayside Marketplace before you go, as hours and crossing times can change seasonally.
- Boarding point: Bayside Marketplace (walking distance from YOTEL Miami)
- Approximate one-way duration: ~1 hour 15 minutes (per hotel's guest info)
- YOTEL guest benefit: discounted Water Taxi fare with your keycard
| What to bring | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Sunscreen and hat | Boat decks are exposed to sun on the bay |
| Light jacket | Bay breeze can be cool in mornings/evenings |
| Water and snacks | Ferry crossings can be over an hour |
South Beach beach chairs included with your stay
YOTEL Miami's facility-fee benefits include two complimentary daily beach chairs in South Beach at the Boucher Brothers station on 5th Street and Ocean Drive. This is presented as a guest benefit; confirm availability and redemption procedures at check-in.
The beach-chair benefit is tied to the hotel's facility fee — staff will explain when and how to claim the chairs. If you plan a specific time or peak-season visit, ask the front desk or concierge to reserve or confirm the chair allocation.
- Location: Boucher Brothers station, 5th St & Ocean Drive, South Beach
- Included: two complimentary daily beach chairs per room (as a facility-fee benefit)
- Confirm: check at front desk on arrival for how to claim the chairs
| Question | Action |
|---|---|
| How to claim chairs | Ask front desk/crew at check-in for current instructions |
| Can chairs be reserved in advance? | Hotel staff will advise — availability may vary by season |
| What if chairs are unavailable? | Front desk can suggest alternatives or paid rentals on-site |

Getting from YOTEL Miami to the docks and South Beach
Options between the hotel and waterfront points include rideshare/taxi, the free Metromover for downtown links, and the Water Taxi from Bayside for a bay crossing to South Beach. The Metromover is useful for short downtown hops but does not connect directly to the Port cruise terminals or Miami Beach.
If you have early-morning cruise check-in or heavy luggage, a taxi or rideshare is generally the most direct choice. For a scenic bay crossing to South Beach, use the Water Taxi at Bayside Marketplace and watch the schedule for departure times.
- Rideshare/taxi: quickest door-to-door, good with luggage
- Water Taxi: scenic, slower (about 1 hr 15 min one-way), discounted for YOTEL guests
- Metromover: free around downtown/Brickell, not a direct cruise-terminal link
| Route | Best use case |
|---|---|
| Taxi / Rideshare | Early cruise check-in or heavy luggage |
| Water Taxi from Bayside | Leisure trip to South Beach; scenic bay views |
| Metromover | Short downtown trips without luggage |

Pool, beach and on-site comforts: planning a beach day
If you prefer to stay closer to the hotel, Vela Sky on the 12th-floor rooftop includes a covered pool deck, sun loungers, a hot tub, and a bar serving light bites and drinks. Pool hours are listed by the hotel as 'sunrise to sunset' while other sources show specific daily times; check the guest information on arrival.
For South Beach, the included beach chairs give you basic beach seating; most beachgoers add umbrellas, towels or a cooler from local vendors if needed. Remember pets are not allowed on the pool deck or in hotel restaurants, though the hotel does accept cats and dogs in rooms for a fee (service animals exempt).
- Rooftop pool: Vela Sky on 12th floor (pool hours listed as sunrise–sunset by the hotel)
- Pool facilities: covered deck, hot tub, loungers and Vela Sky bar service
- Hotel beach benefit: two daily beach chairs at Boucher Brothers station in South Beach
| Amenity | Notes |
|---|---|
| Vela Sky rooftop pool | Covered pool deck; check pool hours at arrival |
| Vela Sky bar & light bites | Open 7am–10pm per hotel information |
| South Beach chairs | Provided via facility-fee benefit; confirm redemption at check-in |
Practical tips, policies and room choices for beach/cruise travelers
Bring photo ID and the credit card used to book when you check in; the hotel requires both at arrival. Guests must be at least 18 to reserve and check in; minors must be accompanied by an adult.
If you need extra flexibility on cruise day (late return or early pickup), ask about the hotel's luggage storage and early/late check-in options. YOTEL lists specific early-check-in and late-check-out fees — confirm current amounts with the hotel at booking or on arrival.
- ID & card required at check-in
- Minimum age to check in: 18 (minors must be with an adult)
- Check with the hotel about claiming your complimentary beach chairs and any required vouchers or keycard use
- If you need more space for family gear, consider a larger room type such as Junior Suite or Suite, 1 Bedroom
| Room name examples | When to pick |
|---|---|
| Premium Room, 1 King Bed | Solo or couple stays, compact but efficient layout |
| Premium Twin Room, 2 Twin Beds | Two guests who prefer separate beds |
| Suite, 1 Bedroom | More living space for families or longer stays |


