Eurostars Winter Haven

The location was spot on, and the rooms, though small, worked fine for us. They have a classy boutique look, and the service was better than I’ve had at any other hotel. A couple of things to know: beach chairs don’t come with umbrellas, and the morning shower might need to run for about two minutes before the water gets hot. Starbucks is a short walk away, near the paved path where people go to enjoy the weather and exercise. I’m not sure why this place isn’t rated higher. I’d definitely stay again.

The hotel’s vintage style and location are lovely, and the rooms are decent considering the building’s age. The stay itself was a mess because staff did little when problems came up. We were put in a twin room instead of the king we booked, and found sand across the floor and long black hair in the bathroom. The front desk showed no interest when we complained. At the gym, we were told we should have received passes from the hotel desk, though hotel staff had told us to scan a QR code. Then there was stomping overhead from 3:30 am until after 7. Staff said they’d ask the guests to quiet down, but the room’s system indicated they shouldn’t have children there. They wouldn’t promise anything or move us or them. During dinner, cleaners had left rags hanging on the handrails between the lobby bar and bathrooms. When we pointed it out, the front desk just said they did that sometimes and would probably come back. Later, a busboy carrying dirty dishes shoved past me, even as a restaurant staff member held the door and smiled. That poor server looked unsure how to react. A beautiful hotel, but the service was awful. Nobody fixed the problems or even offered breakfast or a drink. I’d stay somewhere else.

The only thing going for this hotel is its location. We paid extra for a room with a “terrace” for two nights, but couldn’t sleep there. The air conditioner was so loud it sounded like a plane taking off, and the windows didn’t open. The room was tiny, with a very soft bed and a pillow that was too high. Opening the terrace door didn’t help: a restaurant ventilation outlet on the roof below was loud and sent up a smell like lots of potatoes frying. We asked the front desk for a refund the next morning and were told to contact booking com. Booking said it couldn’t help because this was a partnership booking and sent us back to the property. We didn’t want to let it spoil our mood, so we left and booked another room at citizen M, which was perfect for a good night’s sleep. The hotel itself is shabby and needs renovation. Two stars at best, not four.

The front desk staff were friendly, though the restaurant staff weren’t as much. The location is perfect, and I found the bed comfortable, but so much in the room is cramped. The bathroom was filthy and only about 24 by 36 inches, with barely room for a small person to turn around while showering. A larger person should think twice before booking. They leave just one roll of toilet paper, so bring your own if you want a worry-free stay. There’s no microwave, and the small fridge only fits a few cans of soda they stock for sale. Everything feels so small it gets frustrating.