Girasole Apartments

We arrived at 5 p.m. and waited over an hour in a very long check-in line. The staff weren't friendly. We were running late for our plans, so we didn't even go up to the apartment then. We got back around 2 a.m. and finally saw the awful condition of the place. The room was very old and smelled strange, and the sheets hadn't been changed. My wife had to put our own clothes over the bed to lie on. We were exhausted and only there for the night, so we didn't go to the desk to complain. Stay away from this dump, it's not worth a penny.

The front desk told me that every unit is individually owned. We had room 1005, and it was awful: a bad smell, a rusty fridge that barely opened because the bed was in the way, and a bathtub that looked worn out. Everything about that room was horrendous. After the first night, we booked another hotel and gave up the rest of our reservation.

I really enjoyed this place and plan to bring my mother next time. My room, 903, had an amazing ocean view, and the price was affordable compared with other Miami Beach spots. The beach access is private, and the pool was great and just for hotel guests. It felt more like an Airbnb than a hotel since there's no daily housekeeper, which didn't bother me, but might not suit everyone. Getting around without a car was easy. Bus stops are right outside, and the buses run 24 hours. I felt very safe, even taking one to get McDonald's at 2 a.m. The trolley stop is right there too and it's free, though it only runs until 11 p.m. The AC suited me, but it can't be made colder, so bring a sweater if you get chilly. I was cold and glad I had mine. The water temperature was great, but after showering water came out onto the floor and made it slippery, so I put towels outside the shower.

Don't be fooled by the photos online. Check-in took more than an hour, the staff were rude, and the valet team was difficult too. Our room smelled moldy, the bathroom wouldn't drain, and the toilet flush was broken. There were even mothballs in the AC vent. Management didn't respond properly, and during our three-night stay they never brought the crib we requested or any extra towels. The beach access wasn't worth it.