“Better service and more comfort at a fraction of the price of a Miami Beach hotel”
We stayed 5 nights in late January 2013 in this Hotel. I picked it among hundreds of Hotels in Miami just based on reviews from tripadvisor members and I am happy that I trusted those reviews and am not disappointed. Let me talk about all aspects of this Hotel one by one, and remember we should always compare apple to apple. When I say something was fantastic, I am not comparing this Hotel to a 5 star Meridian, I am comparing them to Hotels at their price range up to almost twice their price range.
Location: It is located off of Florida Turnpike and very easy access and exit for both south and northbound. It is just 1 min. walk away from a Publix supermarket, a medical centre, tons of restaurants and fast foods, and all different shops. The Dolphin Maga Mall is just less than a 5 minute drive from the Hotel. The only thing that I was worried when I was booking the room was the road noise, because it is close to SW 40th St, SW 117th Ave. and Florida Turnpike, and I am a very light sleeper and have insomnia. So I asked them to give me a room as far as possible from any noise. She said they were fully booked and the only room available was the one they offered. I understood because we arrived late and thought maybe next day I would ask them to change my room, but to my surprise it was very good. Not dead silent but acceptable. So we didn't bother asking them to change our room and stayed in that room for another 4 nights.
General Area: Lobby, corridors, elevators very nice, clean and inviting. Decorations are very good.
Room: It was big and very spacious compared to regular Hotel rooms but on the small side compared to a “suite”, comfortable beds, nice couch bed, clean bathroom, with fridge, microwave oven, in-room safe, iron and ironing board, and all other necessities. TV was LCD but a little on the small side for a room that size. You can fill up your ice bucket from the ice machine on the ground floor.
Wifi: It was free and OK.
Breakfast and Breakfast Room: Breakfast was very good. They had waffle makers where you could make your own big regular or cinnamon waffles (although the ready to use dough was not the best), sausages, hams, scrambled eggs, boiled eggs, fruit yogurts, cream cheese, bagels, toasts, jam, just three types of cereals (I wish there was more options), milk (although I wish they had skim milk), different juices (although not best quality), coffee, some sweets, etc. Do you want more from a free breakfast in an American style Hotel? I would like to see some variety for those who are staying longer than one or two nights. Breakfast room was complete with a big TV on the local news and couches. Chairs and tables were abundant and comfortable. Although some days it was too busy and there was line up for waffle machine but it was not that bad.
Pool, Gym and Spa: Pool was in an acceptable size where you could swim comfortably, water was always warm and clean, towels were always available, Spa was clean and nice. Gym had treadmills and weight machines. There was no free weight (dumbbells). For me it was perfect.
Personnel: every single one of them that I encountered, from the front desk during check in, to the lady in the breakfast room who couldn’t speak English, to the room service, etc. etc. were very polite, helpful, friendly and receptive. Hotel manager was standing in the lobby checking out with guests most of the mornings if everything is in order, chatting with them about where they want to go giving them directions and one day when I complimented him, he said they will be doing a renovation in coming June, although the Hotel is 12 years old! So be aware of that!
Almost everything you might need for a couple of nights stay with a better service and more comfort at a fraction of the price of a Miami Beach hotel.
I normally don’t spent time to write reviews unless I am very unhappy or extremely happy and obviously this time I was so happy I wanted to appreciate them with their great work. I got most value for the money I spent.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.