Aloft by Marriott Miami - Brickell

The rooms are spacious and well equipped, and the property sits right in the heart of residential Miami. It's next to the Metromover and Metro rail, with a Publix one block away and endless shopping and restaurants nearby. I stay at a lot of Alofts, and this one has one of the cooler lobbies. Highly recommend.

My room could've used more character. It had black walls with chipped paint and a TV, with no pictures and not even a clock. It made me feel like I was at a Motel 6. The balcony was my favorite part, even though the view wasn't great, and there was a musty smell in the room. The hotel itself is actually nice. I liked the decorated lobby and pool area, which leads into a really nice restaurant. The front desk and valet staff were both pleasant. The location is the strongest point: Brickell City Centre, with its shopping and restaurants, is walkable, a liquor store is right across the street, and South Beach is about a 15-minute drive away.

The elevators could get slow during busy periods, and parking was a bit expensive. Otherwise, I had a very enjoyable stay at Aloft Hotel in Miami. The room was spacious, comfortable, and nicely designed, with minimalist decor and a good bed. The bathroom was clean and had the essentials, though I would've liked more counter space. The hotel feels modern, stylish, clean, and welcoming, and check-in was quick. Staff were friendly and helpful throughout. The pool and lounge were good places to unwind, while the bar had a lively feel in the evenings. The location also made it easy to get to nearby attractions, restaurants, and nightlife. I'd recommend it for a comfortable, convenient stay.

My stay was on March 21, after American Airlines bumped me from a flight and gave me a voucher. Ayesha was kind and helpful at check-in. My companion also had a voucher, and I offered to share one room with two beds to make things easier for the hotel. I wanted the stay to show on my Bonvoy account as a Platinum member, but didn't realize the hotel had checked me out of the system just minutes after checking me in. I found out the next morning from my folio, which said I hadn't stayed at all. I did sleep there. The morning staff told me to call later to get it corrected. When I called, manager Elias Garcia said voucher stays “never” get Bonvoy credit. That might have been fine if it were true, but my companion was in the exact same situation and received full credit for the same night. When I explained that, Elias suggested removing the points from my companion's account instead of fixing my stay. I found that shocking, dismissive, and a bit condescending. I also contacted General Manager Kathlyn Tancrede directly and never got a response. This wasn't an attempt to game the system. The hotel was paid for the room, I stayed there, and the record didn't reflect it because of how the reservation was handled on their end. I thought I was helping the hotel by sharing a room, and it ended up costing me. It would've been an easy fix, or at least a conversation, but the issue was brushed off and then ignored. I don't usually leave negative reviews, especially when I didn't personally pay for the stay, but the follow-up left a bad impression. The front desk experience in person was positive, and the property itself was fine. Still, how a hotel handles problems after a stay matters too, and this fell well short.