At most hotels, smiling doormen greet visitors, but at the Hilton Miami Airport, four parrots at the front door do all the welcoming. What's more, koi fish swim under the walkway to the hotel's Coral Café, while birds, lizards and other creatures call a tiny spit of land out back their home. Neat, eh?

Situated on a private peninsula on the Blue Lagoon, a 100-acre freshwater lake, the Hilton Miami Airport offers superior lodging that goes beyond the norm for "airport hotels," even those with parrots at the front door. Three miles from Miami International Airport, the Hilton offers a jogging trail, 3,000-square-foot swimming pool, fitness facility, tennis and basketball courts. Golfers will go wild knowing that numerous championship courses are located nearby. For dining, nightclubbing and shopping, South Beach and Coconut Grove are just minutes away from this Hilton. So is the Port of Miami for Hilton guests who are going on or returning from cruises.

The Hilton provides an extended range of business services, courtesy airport shuttles, 17 meeting rooms, three ballrooms, 24-hour room service, and high-speed Internet access throughout the place, even at the pool.

The Hilton's guestrooms are decorated with cool blues and warm earth tones. Insulated to reduce the noise from the nearby airport, they present views of the lagoon or Miami skyline. For business travelers, the rooms feature ergonomic chairs, huge work desks and high-speed Internet access. Other amenities include pay movies, minibars, TV Internet access and fancy Neutrogena toiletries.

The Hilton's meeting rooms and convention services draw business types during the week. The restaurants, large outdoor pool, fitness center and other recreational activities draw leisure guests. They all mix around the buffets in the casual Coral Café, outside at the Blue Lagoon Saloon and around the piano bar in the Cove restaurant.