Novotel Miami Brickell

The breakfast was good quality and had enough options. The staff were energetic and very helpful, and the rooms were spacious, modernly designed, and very clean. I really enjoyed my stay and was very satisfied with the whole experience. The hotel's interior, from reception to the rooftop bar and restaurant, was stylish and elegant.

We were in the Executive Suite. The front desk kindly upgraded us to one on a high floor, which I appreciated. The room was fine, with lots of windows and a nice panoramic view, though the U-shaped layout put the sitting area far from the bedroom and didn't make it feel especially spacious. Our high-floor room looked out over the commuter railroad, and the periodic noise could be a problem for light sleepers. The food at the restaurant was mediocre. The lobby looks better in photos than in person, and while the Miami style fits the brand, the stained carpets and tacky overall feel aren't tasteful or elevated. The entryway was underwhelming too. It seems like the kind of place an Instagrammer might appreciate. Calling the front desk took more button presses than expected and then a long wait. It's a solid property that lives up to its four-star reputation, but nothing special. If you're looking for a true luxury hotel in Brickell, you'd need to look down the road at Hotel AKA or JW Marriott, etc.

I spent a lot of time working from the lobby lounge, where the couches were comfortable, and ate at the bar several times. The hotel itself is stylish and inviting, and the staff were excellent and friendly. I had a really good stay at the Novotel in Brickell. My one complaint, and this seems to be a Miami or Brickell thing, was the 20% service charge, or tip, on every tab. I usually tip 20%, so I wouldn't normally mind, but it wasn't disclosed upfront. A few times I ended up tipping 40% before I realized. Servers or bartenders really should tell you about the charge.

The bathroom had a decent shower area with enough room to move, and water didn't splash out easily. But the shower head had very sharp corners, and I accidentally cut myself a few times when lowering it to rinse my toddler. We stayed in room 914. The room was typical for a business hotel, with minimal amenities. There were no slippers or toothbrush, which was acceptable for an eco-friendly hotel, but the power outlets didn't take international plugs. I liked the many TV channels. We were there for five nights, and I spent about half that time recovering from jet lag. When the air-conditioning stopped working at one point, engineering came promptly after we told the front office. The location is in a quiet residential area, close to bustling Brickell city centre, with Walgreens across the road. The quiet streets are good for cyclists and joggers, and there's a park nearby for a morning walk. There were lots of rental bikes for exploring. The lobby is beautiful and bright with natural light. The lobby restaurant has limited seating, but it was always busy and made the place feel lively.