Loews Miami Beach

Index to Genius1 Trip Reports

When it opened in 1998, the Loews Miami Beach was the first new hotel to be constructed on Miami Beach in 30 years. The property is spread over two main buildings - the 1998 main tower and the shorter 1939 art deco St Moritz tower. Reception and most facilities are located in the main tower, which is where I checked in.









I was initially allocated a room in the St Moritz tower (I think the category was a St Moritz Ocean Front room - the website is not particularly clear). Access to the tower is across a partially outdoor area, and involves steps - no help with my luggage was offered. Once on my floor, several twists and turns around the narrow 1930s corridors found me at the door to my room. Being charitable, this room was cosy. Being unkind, this room was tiny. Two double beds (allocated presumably as I was staying on a conference rate) took up the majority of the space, with an armchair sandwiched into the corner so tightly it was impossible to properly close the curtains, which were half hanging off their rail in any case.







Whilst at first glance the room appeared to have everything I would need despite being small, there was a distinct smell of damp, the source of which I quickly found upon inspecting the bathroom - a huge mouldy obtrusion from the ceiling above the bath.







Back downstairs I went across to reception in the main tower, where a greeting of 'I thought you wouldn't like the room' awaited me. I felt like responding 'In that case, why did you allocate it to me?', but instead chose to remain quiet whilst I was allocated an Ocean Front Balcony room (a one category upgrade) in the main tower. This was clearly not the first time the reception team had had to deal with unhappy guests allocated a room in the St Moritz tower.





My new 1998-era room on the 14th floor, whilst decorated in the same design as my previous room that the 2017 refurbishment had introduced, was significantly more spacious. Still with two double beds, this time there was plenty of space to move around the beds, both of which featured smart headboard panels and individual reading lights. There was even room for a floor lamp in the corner adjacent to the armchair. The central bedside light included built-in power and USB sockets.









The minibar was stocked and a coffee machine was provided, although all water was chargeable. Bathrobes and slippers were provided in the wardrobe.





The bathroom was spacious, with a shower over the bath. I could just about ignore the shower curtain thanks to the pleasant Julien Farel amenities provided in small bottles. I would have preferred proper glasses in the bathroom as opposed to the provided paper cups, although this could've been a pandemic legacy yet to be concluded.







My balcony offered quite the view over South Beach and the Atlantic Ocean in one direction, and towards downtown in the other. The offending St Mortiz tower was immediately ahead, with the state of its roof just about visible - no doubt a contributing factor to the mould. I understand preservation orders are in place over such buildings, but that's no excuse for poor maintenance.



















A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect during my visit, which meant housekeeping proactively brought the balcony furniture into the room on one night, replacing it outside once the storm had passed. I enjoyed some spectacular sunrises and sunsets from the balcony, including once with a complimentary cocktail from reception, available on certain nights.







Two restaurants and two bars are available at the property - breakfast is served in Preston's Market and is priced at USD39 for the buffet, if not included in the room rate. There are extensive à la carte options at additional cost. The buffet included cereal, pastries, porridge, cold meats and cheeses, salad, whole and cut fruit (including individual berry and bircher muesli bowls, much to my delight), yogurt, multiple hot options and a made-to-order eggs station. Service was eager and welcoming, and the surroundings were trying very hard to be 5-star.

























The large free-form swimming pool was clearly a big draw for families, surrounded by sunbeds and chargeable cabanas. One of the two bars is located poolside, and there's direct access to Miami Beach from here too where there are dedicated hotel beach chairs (included in the mandatory resort fee). Various beach activities are also included. The property offers both a gym and spa.











After the initial room allocation and ignoring the often rowdy nature of some of my fellow guests (it is South Beach after all), I enjoyed my stay at Loews Miami Beach. Whilst I wouldn't rush to return (primarily due to Loews not being part of a major chain and therefore loyalty programme), the views from my balcony more than made up for the lack of points.