Palma Suites South Beach By Red Group Rentals

The manager refused to refund us, saying we had already checked in, even though we couldn’t see the room until after check-in. It took over an hour to get a manager on the phone, and my wife and I had to go back to our car to call the credit card company and refuse payment because of the deception. The room wasn’t clean. Pubic hair on the toilet and hair on the floor beside it made that clear. There were holes in the tile where a shelf had been removed, patched with putty instead of replacing the tile. The kitchenette was nothing like what was advertised, and the full-size fridge shown online had been replaced by a dorm room refrigerator that needed more than a little cleaning. They’d replaced the flooring but just covered the old floor forced air vent with a board and painted it. Nothing in the room matched the website pictures. The amenities they show look great, but what they gave us seemed like it came from a garage sale. Their website said they had parking, but at check-in my wife was told they didn’t, and were having a hard time getting the parking claim off their website. The person at the front desk told us to go find parking and come back. She had to wait 25 minutes for someone to show up at the desk in the first place. Perhaps the worst place I’ve stayed while traveling. Their website and pictures felt like a fabrication meant to deceive. Avoid the place. There are much better options, and this felt like a bait-and-switch con.

The location was perfect, with the beach right across the street, restaurants for different tastes within walking distance, and plenty of shopping and popular retail stores less than seven minutes away. There’s also a cute French bakery next door with great pastries, coffees, and teas. It’s an apartment suite with a motel vibe, so don’t expect a resort pool or fancy continental breakfast. The location makes up for that. William was friendly the whole time, went above and beyond, and was accommodating. When I had a small issue with the toilet, he fixed it right away. The room was spotless, I slept well, and there was very little noise both nights, which is unusual for that location. I felt safe, especially with the coded security gate. Thanks for a great stay. I’ll be back for sure.

I’ve been coming to Miami's South Beach for vacation getaways for over 20 years, but this was my first stay at this location. Compared to places I’ve stayed before, it was decent for someone looking for a clean spot in the middle of the action at a good price. There are no frills or luxury extras here, and I think it’s important to know that before you arrive. They clearly put effort into service and cleanliness, and the room was decent with a comfortable bed. Still, the place is dated and has no extras. I paid for a “suite,” but they’re using that word pretty loosely. If I’d known more about what to expect, I might have felt differently. We just needed somewhere to sleep for a few hours during a quick layover before our cruise. The bathroom had the strangest setup I’ve seen, and I wish I’d taken a picture. Imagine a regular bathroom with all the walls and barriers removed. There’s no wall between the shower and the toilet and sink, just a showerhead coming out of the wall, hot and cold water knobs, and a drain in the floor. It felt a bit like a communal restroom. Until you see it, it may not sound like a big deal, but I accidentally turned on the shower and sprayed water clear across the room, which meant a massive cleanup. The room felt a little damp and dingy, though not dirty. The lighting was dim, adding to that feeling, but it was enough. The huge TV with lots of channel options was the best thing in the room. If you’ve stayed in a hostel with private quarters, that’s what this place feels like. Come expecting that and you should be fine. You may want flip flops for the shower, just to be extra careful. For breakfast, I definitely recommend the little French restaurant/store right next door. It tasted as authentic as anything I’ve had since returning to the States from Paris.

The room was nice, and the service was good. There aren't any amenities, parking, or even a vending machine, though. It's at the north end of South Beach, so expect a few blocks' walk down Ocean Dr. to reach the busier area. I wouldn't go in March unless you're young and there for spring break. Our hair dryer didn't work.