Residence Inn by Marriott Miami Sunny Isles Beach

We checked in around 7pm for a one-night stay, and the room on the 18th floor was muggy and 75°. I turned the air down into the 60s while we went out to dinner, hoping it would cool off. When we got back, it was still bouncing between 74° and 75°. The service desk said they’d send someone, but the person who came said it was working fine and to give it time. It never got below 74° and stayed muggy the whole time. That’s not what I expect after paying $500 for a room. I also paid all the fees ahead of time, only to be charged another non-optional $40 for valet. I’ll look elsewhere on future trips to Miami.

We had a great few days here. The place was very clean, we had a nice view, and the pool was great with decent food. Getting to the beach was easy, about a 3-5 minute walk, and they provide beach chairs and towels.

The best parts were Gerald at the rooftop bar and the pool bar and the included breakfast, which was decent. Our daily resort fee also included two cocktails, though I guess they aren’t really complimentary if the fee covers them. Gerald was consistently hospitable, professional, and pleasant. He deserves five stars. The pool and deck are fine, too, but nothing special. For the price, the stay felt very average. We arrived with bags and kids and weren’t greeted. The front desk staff chatted for a couple of minutes before acknowledging us, even though no other guests were in the lobby. Staff were generally okay but not very friendly or helpful. The rooms and facilities were just okay, and our room wasn’t cleaned thoroughly. There was sand all over the floor when we arrived, and it was still there after the two nights we stayed. We hadn’t been to the beach, so it was left by previous guests. The bathroom door was also bizarre: it doesn’t lock, and even when slid shut, it doesn’t seal. For a room that fits a family of four, a little privacy matters. The facility felt mediocre, and I think the money would be better spent elsewhere.

It’s about a five-minute walk to the beach, with shops nearby, though the hotel is far from the center. Getting there takes an hour by bus or 30-40 minutes by taxi. The hotel is simple but pretty good: the rooms are bright, spacious, clean, and comfortable, with a small kitchenette stocked with what you need. Breakfast was basic but enough. There’s also a small gym with a few cardio machines and dumbbells. The windows don’t open, and the hot water wasn’t always very hot, but overall we had a good stay.