Mandarin Oriental Miami

The food was a real highlight. Breakfast at La Mar was delicious, with prompt, polite service and lovely views. The pool lunch was the best I’ve ever had, from the fresh ingredients to the fun take on classic dishes. The truffle honey grilled cheese with comté, aged cheddar, arugula, and truffle honey was great, and the fries were perfect. Concierge David was also incredibly kind and helpful, getting us a same-day table at a popular local restaurant that had no public availability. His menu suggestions were excellent. The room has views from practically every spot, including through a cutout from the bathroom and tub to the room and balcony. The balcony itself is gorgeous, with wide views over the Miami skyline and water. There are lots of thoughtful touches: a complimentary shoe shine tray, slippers and robes laid out, artistic and tasty truffles, chargers and ports everywhere, bath products that smell luxurious without being too strong, and a postcard the concierge will mail for you. They welcomed us with hibiscus tea, handled our bags quickly, and gave us various complimentary amenities and food and service credits for using our Amex. The bathroom is the main drawback. The vanity is tiny, with one sink and two slim, short counters already mostly taken up by toiletries and washcloths. The oddly shaped shower is tucked away and easy to miss; its small showerhead sits unusually close to the wall, though it adjusts. There’s no bidet, which I mention because our Biscayne Bay hotel had one and wasn’t nearly as nice. The room also has lovely views, even from the toilet if you leave the door open. The spa is peaceful, with a sauna, steam room, and relaxation room with comfy chairs and a few snacks. Facilities are limited, but good. The showers there more than make up for the room’s: four overhead heads, four wall heads, and a handheld sprayer. You can switch each section on and off and set the water to an exact temperature. There are different lighting modes on a touchscreen, including a soothing thunderstorm setting with lightning flashes. Bluetooth wasn’t working. From our first step on the property, the service was friendly and prompt. It’s been a wonderfully relaxing stay, and with one night left, we’re already trying to work out when to come back.

The receptionist could be quite confused at times, but the old bellman was especially welcoming and friendly. Breakfast was good and standard, though we liked the food more at room service, the pool bar at lunch, and the restaurant in the evening. It’s in a great spot by the bay, with a beautiful room view and a nice outdoor pool.

The balcony and the walk around the island both had beautiful Miami scenery. The hotel is also a short walk from lots of restaurants, and there’s a nice bar and restaurant on site with live music. Our room was clean, the hotel was beautiful, and the staff were very friendly. One issue: my coworker and I were both charged for minibar water we didn’t take. The hotel fixed it quickly, but check your receipt at checkout.

I’ve come twice, first in 2018 with my one-year-old son and then in 2024 with my sister. The rooms and decor are dated, and I was told they plan to rebuild the hotel along with residences. But the customer service is everything you’d expect from a Mandarin Oriental, attentive and top-notch. When my flight home was canceled during the busy Christmas week on my last trip, the staff went out of their way to find me a room. Their empathy and effort really stood out.