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Congress Hotel South Beach: Traveler Reviews

3.5 of 5
1052 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139 (Formerly The Strand)
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Complimentary bottle of wine
Congress Hotel South Beach
Ranked #62 of 198 hotels in Miami Beach
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724 reviews from our community

Traveler rating
    266
    207
    101
    87
    63
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Families
71
 
Couples
291
 
Solo
31
 
Business
38
 
Rating summary
  • Location
    4.5 of 5 stars
  • Sleep Quality
    3.5 of 5 stars
  • Rooms
    4 of 5 stars
  • Service
    3.5 of 5 stars
  • Value
    3.5 of 5 stars
  • Cleanliness
    3.5 of 5 stars
Date Rating
1 review
“Resort tax is a complete rip off! Needs a deep clean and refurb!”
2 of 5 stars Reviewed December 16, 2012 via mobile

Stayed here for 1 night back at the beginning of december. First impression was good, great bellboy who is extremely helpful. Got to reception and this is what let's the hotel down. Receptionist really couldn't care, actually quite rude. Got there at midday and told couldn't check in to room until 4pm. The resort tax is a complete joke! Apparently this covers a glass of bubbly (we were never offered this!), use of loungers on the beach (great when u can't check in til 4 and then have to check out by 11) and apparently use of wifi. The wifi didn't work once in our room and when advising the hotel they advised would get maintenance on it. I enquired again about this when checking out and was told "no problem". Also, when checking out, I went to pay the cash for the valet parking and rip off resort tax to be told they had already taken it off of my card. I found this extremely annoying since I had the cash ready and hadn't authorised them to use my card for this. Rooms were spacious, however, bed linen filthy and had to ring down for extra sheets as there was blood on the ones we were given. No furniture on the balcony, water came through brown, bathroom doors didn't shut and tears in the carpets. All in all, I wouldn't recommend this hotel, pay the extra 20 dollars and go to a more upmarket hotel. As I work in the travel industry in the uk, I certainly won't be promoting this hotel to future clients.

  • Stayed December 2012
    • 2 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 2 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 2 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 1 of 5 stars Service
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Ask Junesparty about Congress Hotel South Beach
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Nancy R, General Manager at Congress Hotel South Beach, responded to this review
December 17, 2012
Thank you sincerely for taking the time to provide feedback regarding your recent stay at the Congress Hotel. It is disappointing for us to hear that your overall experience was not to your satisfaction. Our entire team strives to provide a most memorable time for all of our guests, and we truly apologize as this was not achieved for you. If you can kindly reach out to us, we would appreciate an opportunity to offer a solution and earn back your loyalty in the future.
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Massachusetts, United States
Senior Reviewer
8 reviews 8 reviews
3 hotel reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
“Great location, terrible management.”
2 of 5 stars Reviewed December 11, 2012

MAKE SURE YOU KNOW THE DAILY RESORT FEES ARE DAILY AND PER PERSON STAYING IN THE ROOM WHICH IS NOT CLEAR WHEN YOUR SIGNING FOR THE DAILY RESORT FEE CHARGE. I SPENT AN EXTRA $180 APPART FROM HOTEL ROOM CAHRGE. This hotel is in a great location, staff was 50/50 some where very helpful and others specially the women could care less. On our first day everything was fine but the next it would go down hill. As someone mentioned before Our room was also NOT cleaned which we thought we would wait until the evening to ask if they cleaned the rooms on a daily basis or not. Well since they didn't clean the room we also did not have clean towels and had to reuse the ones from the night before. I asked one of the guys that worked there about the room cleaning and he called the maintenance people right away. They cleaned the room within a few hours. I mentioned this when checking out and asked if could maybe give me a discount on the daily resort fee for that day they charged and they said the RESORT fees had nothing to do with the cleaning of the rooms and that they owe me nothing to because they cleaned my room that same late EVENING AFTER I had asked if they could please do so. I have never Asked and don't believe any customer should ask for the room to be clean and towels changed. At that point I didn't want to argue with the short lady with the curly hair who seemed to be part of management who overheard what was going on and asked "SO WHAT DO YOU WANT US TO DO"? I was appalled by the lack of professionalism, if this person has a degree in the business field she should be fired. I WILL NOT BE STAYING HERE AGAIN AND HOPE THIS HELPS PEOPLE BOTH VISITORS AND HIGHER MANAGEMENT TO IMPROVE THE LEVEL OF SERVICE THIS PLACE CAN OFFER IN A GREAT LOCATION. With the right management this little place has so much potential for all age groups both young and old I hope they make quick changes before they have to face bigger consequences of a failing business.Feel free to contact me by email if you have any questions.

  • Stayed December 2012, traveled with friends
    • 1 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 2 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 2 of 5 stars Service
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Ask Nolberto A about Congress Hotel South Beach
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Nancy R, General Manager at Congress Hotel South Beach, responded to this review
December 17, 2012
Thank you for staying with us and taking the time to share your experience. I would like to apologize on behalf of the hotel for the challenges you encountered during your stay at the Congress Hotel. I have addressed my team accordingly in regards to the customer service and HK issues you encountered during your stay. The resort fee is mentioned on the registration form that we have all guests sign and initial upon check-in and it is also mentioned on the Bookit.com confirmation. If you can kindly reach out to us, we would appreciate an opportunity to offer a solution and earn back your loyalty in the future. I hope we have the pleasure of turning your perception around on your next visit to the Congress Hotel.

Sincerely,
Nancy
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“I Could Move Here”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed December 10, 2012 via mobile

Amazing location. Jr. suite was huge. Full fridge, freezer, stovetop, oven, toaster, coffee maker, comfy bed, and the deepest bathtub I've ever seen. They had dishes and pots and pans too. They even had a paper towel rack with paper towels and they had delicious apples at the front desk. I had a huge balcony too. The rooftop pool is awesome. Great place to relax and hang out with ocean view. I'm very happy especially for the low rate I got the room for on bookit.com. It was the mystery hotel deal. Once I got the hotel name I called and Dionara was really helpful and sweet. There was definitely loud South Beach music really late but low enough to be white noise in the background. The visitor center is steps away along with the hop on hop off bus stop. My favorite bar Fat Tuesdays was also a few doors down. Great dance bars all around the hotel. I was greeted by Brian and he was so friendly and especially helpful during my stay. I would definitely stay again!

  • Stayed December 2012
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask WrldTrvlrr about Congress Hotel South Beach
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Nancy R, General Manager at Congress Hotel South Beach, responded to this review
December 19, 2012
Thank you so much for your review. I'm happy to hear that you had a great stay with us! We've been working hard to make sure guests have a fantastic stay and it sounds like we are succeeding!
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New York, New York, United States
1 review
“Great hotel and even better staff”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed December 10, 2012

My wife and I were on our way home to NYC after our honeymoon and were stranded on a layover in Miami by Hurricane Sandy. When I explained our situation to Eleanor at the front desk, she said that she would make sure that we could make the best of this tough situation and that she would have a room for us in a few hours. We left our bags and returned a few hours later and were so pleasantly surprised to check into a huge suite with a giant balcony overlooking the beach. Needless to say, we spent the next four days enjoying Miami, and the nicest hotel room we'd ever stayed in. Anyway, thanks to Eleanor and the entire Congress staff for helping us make the best of a tough situation. If only they could help out with the fact that Sandy ruined our house. Oh well. Can't win them all.

  • Stayed October 2012, traveled as a couple
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask David S about Congress Hotel South Beach
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
“couldn't have asked for more”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed December 9, 2012

Great all around experience. Close to resteraunts and bars & across the street from the beach. Perfect location right in the heart of South Beach. Friendly, courteous staff that made part of our honeymoon special. Special thanx to Brian & Louis.

  • Stayed November 2012, traveled as a couple
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes
See 3 more reviews by J A for Miami Beach
Ask J A about Congress Hotel South Beach
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Nancy R, General Manager at Congress Hotel South Beach, responded to this review
December 17, 2012
Thank You so much for your review! All of us here at The Congress Hotel have a great time taking care of our guests and making sure they have a wonderful hotel experience. We are also happy that you were able to take advantage of our prime location here in South Beach - it really makes it so easy to relax, party, explore, and enjoy yourself with ease! Thanks for staying with us, and we hope to see you again soon!
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Additional Information about Congress Hotel South Beach

Also Known As:
Strand Ocean Drive Hotel
Strand Ocean Drive Miami Beach
Strand Ocean Drive
Address: 1052 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139 (Formerly The Strand)
Phone Number:
Region: United States > Florida > Miami Beach
Amenities:
Bar/Lounge Beach Free High-Speed Internet Kitchenette Restaurant Suites Swimming Pool Wheelchair access
Hotel Style:
#48 On the Beach Hotels in Miami Beach
Price Range: $$
Hotel Class:3.5 star (3.5*)
Reservation Options:
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