Dharma Home Suites Miami at Monte Carlo

The room was just right: high ceiling, ocean view, balcony, and, most important for us, a spacious clean bathroom. The hotel also had the cooking utensils we needed, plus dish soap, a new sponge, detergent capsule, Swiffer, and other useful things. Domino Pizza is right across the street, so food wasn’t a worry. The people were kind and welcoming, and the pool and dry spa were the best. The dry spa was so good, you should try it while you’re there. Miami Beach is behind the hotel, with secured beach chairs for guests, just a 1-2 minute walk away. Best stay of all my years traveling. I highly recommend it. The photos were taken after four days, and it was still clean and nice!

I paid an outrageous $350 a night for an Ocean Front View Room at the Dharma Hotel, and the stay was miserable. The room itself was okay, but the route to it went behind a garage, and the hallway by the elevator smelled strongly of marijuana. Inside looked decent, but trees completely blocked the advertised ocean front view, so there was no ocean view at all. I raised the issue several times with staff and the manager. Nobody helped, offered a refund, or tried to move me to another room. The service was terrible: unfriendly, defensive, and unwilling to accept responsibility. The website photos were misleading, and none of the rooms have a guaranteed ocean view. They don’t seem interested in being honest with guests. If something goes wrong, don’t expect a fix or refund. Plenty of other hotels and apartments nearby treat guests with respect and deliver what they promise. Avoid this place, you’ll be disappointed.

The Atlantic view was mesmerizing, and the place looked even nicer in person than it did in the pictures. We really enjoyed our stay. Next door is a fantastic upscale restaurant overlooking the beach. A free public trolley and a bus are only a few minutes’ walk away, with rides to South Beach and the Bal Harbour Shops. A car isn’t necessary, since shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and convenience stores are all nearby. Worth every penny. Enjoy!

I stayed for nine days and would happily return. I booked a corner suite with an overview one bedroom, then got upgraded at no charge to the same accommodations on the 17th floor. The condo was very clean and had everything we needed, from coffee to salt and sugar. Every request I made was handled, the lobby staff were kind and friendly, and valet was included. The valet service was exceptional, and the gentlemen were the fastest and kindest I’ve met in the field. I’m not sure whether the hotel, Dharma, or both hired them. William especially was so kind and helpful. The only downside was a humidity smell when first entering. It wasn’t overpowering, and I think it may be a Miami issue rather than the condo. Thank you, Dharma family. I’ll be back.