Castle Beach Club Condominiums by New Point Miami

The penthouse view was excellent, with lovely bay and downtown Miami sunsets. We also liked having the pool and beach access. Still, I wouldn't return or recommend the place unless it gets major updates and better security. The unit itself had worn, partly broken furniture that didn't match the Airbnb photos. Old window AC units were extremely loud, and the instructions said not to switch them off or open the windows, which was frustrating and unusual. We thought the patio or deck was private, but it was actually a shared walkway with other guests regularly passing by, and that hadn't been clearly disclosed. The main double French-style door barely locked and seemed easy to force, while the sliding doors to the patio didn't feel secure either. The building feels neglected and worn, like it hasn't been updated since the 80s or 90s, with a strong unpleasant smell in common areas. The elevators had inspection certificates that appeared to have expired several years earlier. Maybe that is common locally, but I didn't feel confident using them with my family. Shops in the building were dingy and overpriced, with a poor selection, adding to the run-down feel.

The pool was large, warm, and very nice for our January trip, and the lobby looked beautiful. Direct beach access and room views could make this a prime vacation spot if the property were renovated. The rooms felt dated and weren't very clean. There was no working shower vent, so the room stayed damp, with signs of water damage, moisture, and possible mold on the walls. Black gunk was visible where water comes out of the faucet, so we used bottled water to wash our faces and brush our teeth. There aren't many places within walking distance, though being right on the beach is a plus. Breakfast at the restaurant looked like it had good prices and was amazing, but two breakfast sandwiches, two sodas, and a smoothie came to $80 because they charge a card fee if you don't pay cash. Paid late checkout was convenient, with options to leave at 3 or 8pm, though staff started waiting outside our room about 30 minutes before our paid checkout time.

The beach is gorgeous and the location is good. The concierge was nice, though busy, and the gym was okay. There is basic food and a few amenities in the old-school basement. The pool was so-so, and the lobby is very old. The photos gave a misleading impression. If you drive, getting your car from valet can take more than 30 minutes, with hundreds of people waiting. It also seems like several different companies operate here, while the concierge represents the whole building and may not have authority to help with individual apartments. There are no beach chairs or equipment. You get what you pay for.

The pool and beach nearby were the only real perks. Everything else felt dingy and decades out of date, and the Google photos were completely outdated. There was mold on the windows, stains on all the linens, and even blood on a pillowcase. The smell was disgusting, like burnt plastic mixed with mildew. The table felt ready to fall apart if bumped, and the tub sealant was stained and peeling. The elevators either didn't come or took over ten minutes, and some floor buttons didn't work, even though you had to press a floor before one would arrive. Rules threatened fines of up to $5,000. We weren't allowed to turn off the AC, even though the room was freezing, and fresh towels weren't offered. We got just one small, probably stained towel in the room, and had to rent more. At 11pm, people were screaming racial slurs and other obscenities at each other in the hallways. Dingy is the best word for this place.