The sea view at Bal Harbour is a perfect combination of a nice beach, location and price. The room was overlooking Collins ave, but far away from the street, it was big enough,full of light, had 2 walk ins, two queen beds, very comfortable.
The beach is very, very nice! It has a nice pool that I never used because the beach is right there.The cleaning became poor through our stay, at the beginning was all right but as we stayed 10 days, they just made the beds and a light cleaning that I had to call the maid and point out some dirt, but nothing very dramatic if you compare the price with the place. The breakfast is a bit of a dissapointment: eggs, bread, croissants and cereals. Jam and cheese. Period. No yogurts!!That part of the hotel needs refurnish... The carpet with old drawings and the old curtains, not nice at all. But...I would go back without hesitation. Two brigdes away from aventura mall, excellent sea, and Carpaccio to dine at Bal Harbour shopping mall just across the street.

It´s a magnificent hotel. A building with lots of history, 63 years since it was build, but all the rooms have been totally refurbished in a modern style. Rooms are big, peaceful and quiet. Very good food and beverage quality and service.
Excellent location, right at front of Bal Harbour Shops and 10 min from Aventura Mall. Near several good restaurants.
Direct access to the beach. Beautiful oceanfront.
Next time you go to Miami, book the Sea View. I have been doing it for nearly 20 years !!

I've been in many hotels and never had to pay for pool chairs, especially by the 1/2 day. The pool area was nice, as long as you didn't mind the construction going on for the cabanas. The service left a lot to be desired, i felt, unless you had a male companion then you got a lot of attention. Did I tip? Yes I did!!! I traveled with my 2 Grandchildren. Breakfast was good and the only time our table was tended to was when the little oriental man was working. In the lobby, Rafael was the greatest, the others couldn't give us the time of day and when the did, the conversations were brief and short and not friendly. The room was kept fairly clean, yeahhh for housekeeping. The bathroom, very small, no shelfs for anything. We stayed 5 nights and wasn't aware of the 5th night free deal until I read it on the internet but I guess that's my Travel Agents error. Miami Tours were the greatest. Very informative, excellent drivers and very helpful going out of theie way to help us. I highly recommend them.

It'a amazing to find this 1950's style hotel set between the St Regis, Balmoral, ONE, and other upscale modern hotels costing mucho dollars more on the beach side of Collins Avenue. We arrived July 4th, had a standard room with a balcony facing Collins, promotion was 4th night free. Hotel seemed empty, there were never more than 20 people at the pool or beach. Room was adequate, dated furniture with a tube TV, mushy pillowtop bed, and a $9.99 shower head in the bath. Maid service was twice daily. Continental breakfast was included in the rate. The pool was huge, measuring 75' x 50'. Pool attendants, esp. Jonathan, were pleasant and attentive. If you rent a lounger poolside, they will set up a cushion and cotton cover on it for comfort. Towels were abundant and easily accessible. However, construction of new cabanas was going on and I found the noise of hammering and sawing disruptive. I felt there should have been a warning about the ongoing construction on the hotel's web page. The dining area and coffee shop were closed. The beach area was nice, but an offshore storm was sending large amounts of scratchy seaweeds that amassed in huge floating accumulations that were a pain to wade through. Not under the hotel's control, but an annoyance nonetheless. This ocean lover spent more time at the uncrowded pool than the beach. There is an excellent jogging/walking path that extends for maybe 2 miles between the hotels and beach, no dogs or bikes allowed. The hotel has many seasonal time share owners, they called them "stockholders", who seemed to lock up some of the rental amenities such as the poolside cabanas. While I am at it, let me voice my displeasure of the common Florida hotel practice of nickel and diming their patrons for parking, exercise room, loungers, cabanas, etc. My "extras" probably totalled about $200 for a 5 night stay. I was surprised there wasn't an added charge for using the pool, beach or walking trail. Wait, maybe I shouldn't mention that, give them ideas. I'd prefer one basic room rate, all amenities included.
We did have one dinner at the hotel, it was served at tables in the bar area by Barry, who was bartender, waiter and exercise room attendant. The catch of the day was Mahi Mahi and it was nicely grilled.