YotelPad Miami

We used both Vela spots, the first-floor restaurant and the pool deck, and enjoyed the food and drinks. Luna was great, and I’m sorry I can’t remember the pool bartender’s name, but she made a fantastic margarita. Christian led a salsa lesson on the deck that evening and clearly knows how to teach. He even got this boomer moving. Our one-bedroom had a decent kitchen for making meals if you’re staying longer. The kiosk check-in was easy, with staff around to help, and everyone we met was kind and professional. We also liked needing a key card for the elevator. Bayside marketplace is an easy walk, though it’s a fun tourist trap. It was a good one-night stop on the way to vacation, and we’d stay again. A taxi from the airport was about $35; our friends paid around $30 for Uber.

We booked a one-bedroom apartment in yotel pad for $130 a night over five nights, and it felt like a good deal. Everything was great. I’m not sure why there are so many middling or bad reviews.

The room wasn’t what the listing led me to expect. It had two beds that pulled out of the wall, and I wouldn’t have booked it if that had been clear. I told the front desk right away, but they said nothing else was available. After we got back from a concert around 11:30 p.m., we found stains and small curly hairs on the pillows and blankets, plus visibly dirty sheets underneath. I called the desk twice without an answer, though staff were there, so I went down myself. They said someone would bring clean linens. My exhausted kids and I waited on the floor, but nobody came. More than half an hour later I went back down, asked for a refund, booked somewhere else, and left around 12:30 or 1:00 a.m. The hotel looked nothing like the online photos, and I was charged over $400, more than a four-star Marriott would cost. I only booked because the advertising was misleading. I’m requesting a full refund. Do not stay here.

The staff were great, and this is our hotel of choice when we cruise because it’s right by the port. Bayside marketplace is close too, with the metro mover just across the street.