I recently arrived from a Miami Beach vacation with a very good friend. After reading few of the reviews we were a little afraid about choosing the Miami Beach Resort and Spa for our short stay.

I need to tell you...We had a great experience, hope my review helps if you are planning a trip to Miami Beach.

After 4 hours of delay (American Airlines flight - terrible service) we arrived to the Miami Int Airport. We decided to avoid car rentals, and took a taxi to Collins Avenue (were our hotel was). We paid $32.00 for the taxi from the airport to our hotel (maybe 25 minutes drive).
At the time of the checkin we were greeted by a very courteous lady at the front desk. Check in process was really fast. I told the front desk lady we were celebrating my friend's birthday and she told us she was going to send her a gift to our room. In addittion she gave us a $50.00 coupon to be spent in the hotel (food, drinks etc...). Excellent !!!!

The room with two full size beds was clean. Lots of storage. Nice vew to the Ocean. Decor is a little bit outdated.

We decided to have dinner outside the Hotel so we went to the Espanola Way...Very warm street with an excellent environment. We tried Tapas and Tintos and our experience was the best. We did the Special ( paella, langosta and a bottle of wine for $70) in addition we selected two one of their different tapas...Dedos del Diablo was marvelous. I strongly reccommend to try that! Service at the restaurant was great...Low lights with spanish music in the background and if you dare even salsa lessons you will find at this small but very rich restaurant.

When we arrived to the Hotel we found out my friend gift on our room (a bottle of wine, crackers and cheese and some fruit). Even a post card congratulating my friend on her birthday.

Next day we went to the Hotel Salon and Spa Facilities...another great experience. The Spa is considered to be boutique since their facilities are small but in a great shape. The service at the spa was incredible...the front desk lady which I was told is the owner was the finest lady I have ever met. She was very courteous and friendly. We were looking for a deep tissue massage. Pilar and Miriam our massage therapists were excellent...the experience was mesmerizing. I hope to be back soon to their spa facilities.

The Hotel location is great (beachfront). Although it is a little bit far from SOBE for only $2.00 you can take a ride on the Metrobus (Bus S and 120 Beach Max moves you from the Aventura Mall to the AA Arena if you have time because of their multiple stops). We consider that a great value.

Restaurants inside the Hotel were great. Breakfast buffet for $19.00. Dinner Special for $22 - $26. Service exceeded my expectations.

I hope to be back again. The service is the best!

After reading all the reviews I was so nervous that I went through with booking this hotel. I am so thrilled that I did. What an amazing deal.
The staff was beyond friendly. The room, though dated, was clean and had an amazing ocean view. I cannot believe that anyone was upset with the value. At $186 a night it was a tremendous value. The price of food is no different then any beach resort.
The walk to the action of south beach was an easy walk during the day and an $8 cab ride at night.
We would absolutely go back. The only thing lacking was a terrace but we dealt with it based on the great deal.

Having stayed at the Ritz Carlton last September, my friends and I were a bit nervous to stay in this hotel due to the many negative reviews here. But since we're 20-somethings living on a non-Ritz budget right now, we had no choice but to stay here. Between comments about poor service and lack of cleanliness, we really didn't know what to expect going in, but after spending a weekend here I can assure you this hotel is wonderful. Upon arrival, we noticed how beautiful the lobby is, and we discovered shortly after that the rooms were nice as well. Very clean, spacious, great view - and that's pretty much all I care about. It's not as modern as some other hotels, but who cares? Do I mind the pink bathroom walls and the black checkered floors? Not at all. My friends and I joked that the second we got home, one of us would write a glowing review to debunk any myths about this hotel. My one and only "gripe" is that the pool area gets shady after around 2PM because the hotel next door blocks the sun. I'd stay here again in a heartbeat.

I thought I was getting a good deal on the room rate, but then didn't expect all the additional expenses. Resort fee of $12 for WHAT? There are beach towels supplied and lounge chairs in the pool area, but if you go out on the beach you have to pay to rent chairs and umbrellas. The hot tub was not any hotter than the pool. Parking is $25 a day, plus a tip every time you get or return your car. Food and beverages are expensive, and the mixed drinks are weak.

I also did not like the location. Too far from shops and restaurants to walk. Getting your car from valet parking is a hassle, plus downtown it is hard to find parking. What we ended up doing is using the bus, since there's a handy bus stop in front of the hotel. I think if I came to Miami Beach again I would stay closer to things.

Not to beat up on the hotel too much but I had two other complaints: First, when something of mine rolled under the bed during the second day of my stay, and I had to retrieve it, I saw that under the bed was filthy, with an old beer bottle and old shoe. Housekeeping did clean under the beds on my request. Secondly, I called down for a first aid kit and was told someone would bring it right up, and they never did (I finally just went to sleep and got my own antibiotic ointment & bandaids in the morning).

The beach outside the hotel was nice but nothing else positive stands out about this hotel.