Just returned from 3 nights at this Doubletree which was enjoyable but frustrating. This hotel could be perfect but for some problems.

Good: Large suite with very nice kitchen, 42" plasma tv, balcony with table/chairs, and tasteful decorations. Good location with easy access to beach and freeways. My room was on the 8th floor and faced South with nice views of the water and the city skyline. It was nice to cook small meals and relax on the balcony. Didn't use the pool or hotel restaurant. Staff was friendly but seemed understaffed.

Bad: 2 of 3 elevators were out of order the whole time but hotel gave access to 2 service elevators which helped but were inconvenient. Large parking structure and lot mostly empty yet hotel charges $14/day. I just parked free a few blocks away in a residential area which didn't have any "tow away" signs. AC unit worked too well- room was cold and adjusting the temp upwards did nothing, even in "heat" mode. Complained to maintenance but no-one ever showed up to fix. Saw several cockroaches, staff was there right away to spray but room smelled terrible and no other room was offered. Instead they offered free internet for 2 days.

My impression is the hotel needs improvement in it's maintenance. If you can get a good rate and keep these things in mind your stay may be worthwhile. Unsure if the cockroach problem is isolated or a common issue there.

I won two nights at the Doubletree on Priceline for $65 a night. My wife and stepdaughter took a little trip together and only had positive things to say about this hotel. The price is what gives this place a 5 out of 5. If they paid the rack rate of $199, then they would have downgraded to a 4/5.

The good:
-Service was fine, although they had little contact after checking in to the time they checked out.
-Shopping center next door
-One can walk to the beach
-Big room that was clean and the beds were comfortable
-Full kitchen with a dishwasher
-Large flat screen TV on the wall
-Water taxi is convenient, although they did not use it

Only negatives:
-Parking fees, they did valet ($17) for convenience with a late arrival
-Nothing was open in the area to grab a bite to eat at 11pm on a Sunday

After hearing about the Doubletree and seeing the pictures, I wouldn't mind staying here in the future, especially for the price.

Myself and three others stayed at this property for two nights prior to a Princess Cruise.

It is definitely away from the cruise terminal, so be prepared for a little drive. I used my Marriott Reward points for this trip, so it was a free stay which was nice.

Since there were 4 adults they did upgrade us to a two bedroom suite which was nice of them to do. The room had two ful bathrooms and the bedroom wth the two beds had a very nice walk in shower. The room as well as the Hotel overall did show some signs of being tired. I noticed some dry rot in the window sills in the restaurant which was a little gross. The rooms themselves were clean, but it is definitely an older property. Each room has a nice setup with a refrigerator and a microwave. The room I stayed in had a nice view and was not noisy as compared to other reviews I have read.

Yes, the elevators in the hotel are still slow. The Hotel deals with this by sometimes allowing guests to use the service elevators. This was a little odd, but seemed to help with the problem.

Parking is expensive and I used the idea that someone else posted to park in the Galleria Mall parking lot for free. It is a small walk back to the Hotel, so it wasn't an issue. No one put a nasty gram on my car for parking in the lot.

It is a short walk to the beach area. Each morning we walked along the waterfront which was a great way to start the day.

Bottom line, I think I'll try a different place next time.

We stayed here for three nights this week and most everything I had read on TA was true.

The elevators are basically non-functioning except for one (of three in the lobby). The service elevators work, but who wants to ride in the service elevator?

I encountered an elevator repair person who told me there are "big problems" with the elevators and the situation has been this way for over a year, since prior to the renovation. Sounds kind of scary.

Neither the pool Jacuzzi nor the poolside shower work.

Great location though!

And, yes, as another poster said, don't pay for parking, park in the Galleria Mall lot. The parking fees are exorbitant.

The suites in this hotel are individually owned and apparently are now worth about 1/2 (or less) of what the individuals paid for them and the monthly maintenance is over 2k. Apparently there are issues at this property and that's why although a renovation was done recently, major infrastructure was ignored, i.e. the elevators.

But, as I said, it's a great location and a very pretty spot. Although, it attracts a lot of business travelers and meeting attendees--talking loudly on cells, B-berry's etc. Not exactly a resort, seemed to be more of a business hotel trying to pass itself off as a resort property.

And, the gym was a joke. Two broken treadmills out of four and the space was about the size of my kitchen.

If you do go--be sure to get a room facing the ICW, NOT the drawbridge side facing Sunrise, as from what we understood, they have trouble selling those rooms b/c they are incredibly loud.

Enjoy!