Kimpton EPIC Hotel (Miami, FL)

What is your Priority Club status? Spire Inner Circle

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay? Yes

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive? Premier King (Points Award); upgraded to EPIC 29 Junior Suite

How are the rooms? The suite was located on the 29th floor and had a nice view of the Miami River along with the pool deck on the 16th floor. To the distance we could see Marlins Park in LIttle Havana and MIA. We found the living area to be very spacious and overall, the decor was very modern and chic. Bed was comfortable with very plush linens. There was a small balcony adjacent to the bedroom but it was too hot and muggy to linger out there, The bathroom was huge with a dual sink vanity, shower stall and separate spa tub. The overall noise was very quiet except for a few heavy planes departing from MIA that passed over us.

Note that there is an executive lounge on the 29th floor and while it is layed out like a regular hotel lounge, it is not staffed or stocked as one. Basically, it is a large room with tables, a balcony, a restroom, and a Nespresso machine. You need to use a room key to access it.

[If you are Spire]
How was your complimentary welcome amenity? Pathetic; two bottles of Pellegrino and a chocolate bar; I think they forgot to prepare one for us and scrambled to make something up.

Did you raid the minibar? If so, what did you take? Yes - bags of Yucca and Plantain chips at $5 each.

Were you offered a Chef's Taste at Dinner, If so, what did you receive? Yes; it was a serving for the table (six guests) of the same goat cheese puffs that was served during wine hour. Like the amenity, pretty mediocre.

Did you use the free spa credit / did the hotel participate? If so, was it a good value? No

What was good and what was bad?

Good - Good elite recognition. Friendly staff, fresh decor, nice location away from the crowds of South Beach. A few restaurants in the area.

Bad - Outside of the immediate area, the business district gets pretty sketchy at night. The wait for a car from the valets averaged 15 minutes or so. Welcome amenity and food at restaurant not up to par with other Kimptons.

Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return? Given the quality of rooms and upgrades, I would return.