The Gabriel Miami, Curio Collection by Hilton {US-FL}
Jan 5, 23, 12:56 pm
#17
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: California; DO-RAGS: Old Gold tagged, PIP, LatPass 1/2, AA 4MM, HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Omni
Posts: 9,104
Thanks for everyones input. Based on location and the pictures, I just cashed in some points5th night free. While I suspect the $15 in lieu of breakfast wont go a long way to funding cocktails, better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.
Jan 12, 23, 11:23 am
#18
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Portugal
Programs: *G, VS Silver, HH Diamond
Posts: 631
I stayed there for a couple of nights in July 2022. It was nice. I like that location. I can't remember if I booked or was upgraded to a corner room looking out over Ocean Dr, Lummus Park and the beach. I didn't eat at the property. There are several buildings that make up the hotel. I was in the main tower that includes the lobby, bar and restaurant. There are two pools; one ground level between towers and one rooftop. I have a couple of pics I can post, but I need to post this message first to get me to my 5 post min to add pics.
Jan 12, 23, 11:49 am
#19
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,793
There's a Gabriel Miami and Gabriel South Beach. I think there's no dedicated thread except maybe the general Miami thread.
Sep 5, 23, 9:33 am
#20
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: California; DO-RAGS: Old Gold tagged, PIP, LatPass 1/2, AA 4MM, HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Omni
Posts: 9,104
This hotel appears to be three, if not four, combined properties. Mostly small hotels, maybe an apartment building to boot: think the old Starwood Pulitzer in Amsterdam, with its canal house mash-up, but without the historic charm but charming nonetheless.
Upon checking in, the DYKWIA answer became clear, no.
After a few minutes of consternation trying different permutations of my name I gave them the confirmation number saved to my phone, not something I always do nowadays and luckily I did as my reservation disappeared from the Hilton app as well. I dont fear Skynet without reason.
There was some discomfort and the desk clerk seemed almost embarrassed to give me a room in the one building suggesting that they were sold out and I could move the next day.
And not embarrassed without reason as the room embraced a YMCA SRO tenement vibe with some small South Beach motifs. Ive had worse, just not as grown a$$ adult.
Only the next morning I learned that the entire reservation system crashed the day before and they were flying blind. Moved to a walk-upno elevatorsthird (and top) floor oceanfront suite in building #3, the difference was night and day. I felt like the Jeffersons moving on up to the Eastside. Of course there is some goings on from the late night movable feast that is Ocean Blvd, luckily the couple next door apparently making a porn film drowned out the street noise one night.
The continental was almost covered by the $15 but other than the first day Ive been putting the script to use at the bar as there are more likable places to have breakfast.
I was disappointed that neither of the pools had a jacuzzi and being of a certain age I walked two blocks over to the Bentley to borrow theirs to stretch before heading over to Flamingo Park for some old school morning handball. Being of this certain age, no one at the Bentley front desk questioned me and sitting in their jacuzzi watching the sunrise over the Atlantic continues to be one of the simple pleasures of the trip even if having to move the open at dawn sign to step in.
The glass bottom rooftop Gabriel pool is more delightful, however. The other delightful part of the trip is none of the omnipresent jellyfish have snagged me yet, we all are enjoying 85 degree ocean water.
South Beach is, to me, like fish and chips: every so often I get a hankering then its out of my system. Off to see the Dodgers play tonight: Major League Baseball park #28.
Last edited by Jailer; Sep 5, 23 at 9:48 am
Sep 5, 23, 11:12 am
#21
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Michigan, USA
Programs: Hilton Diamond; Delta Platinum
Posts: 524
Despite a rocky start Im not second guessing picking the Gabriel over the South Beach Bentley.
This hotel appears to be three, if not four, combined properties. Mostly small hotels, maybe an apartment building to boot: think the old Starwood Pulitzer in Amsterdam, with its canal house mash-up, but without the historic charm but charming nonetheless.
Upon checking in, the DYKWIA answer became clear, no.
After a few minutes of consternation trying different permutations of my name I gave them the confirmation number saved to my phone, not something I always do nowadays and luckily I did as my reservation disappeared from the Hilton app as well. I dont fear Skynet without reason.
There was some discomfort and the desk clerk seemed almost embarrassed to give me a room in the one building suggesting that they were sold out and I could move the next day.
And not embarrassed without reason as the room embraced a YMCA SRO tenement vibe with some small South Beach motifs. Ive had worse, just not as grown a$$ adult.
Only the next morning I learned that the entire reservation system crashed the day before and they were flying blind. Moved to a walk-upno elevatorsthird (and top) floor oceanfront suite in building #3, the difference was night and day. I felt like the Jeffersons moving on up to the Eastside. Of course there is some goings on from the late night movable feast that is Ocean Blvd, luckily the couple next door apparently making a porn film drowned out the street noise one night.
The continental was almost covered by the $15 but other than the first day Ive been putting the script to use at the bar as there are more likable places to have breakfast.
I was disappointed that neither of the pools had a jacuzzi and being of a certain age I walked two blocks over to the Bentley to borrow theirs to stretch before heading over to Flamingo Park for some old school morning handball. Being of this certain age, no one at the Bentley front desk questioned me and sitting in their jacuzzi watching the sunrise over the Atlantic continues to be one of the simple pleasures of the trip even if having to move the open at dawn sign to step in.
The glass bottom rooftop Gabriel pool is more delightful, however. The other delightful part of the trip is none of the omnipresent jellyfish have snagged me yet, we all are enjoying 85 degree ocean water.
South Beach is, to me, like fish and chips: every so often I get a hankering then its out of my system. Off to see the Dodgers play tonight: Major League Baseball park #28.
This hotel appears to be three, if not four, combined properties. Mostly small hotels, maybe an apartment building to boot: think the old Starwood Pulitzer in Amsterdam, with its canal house mash-up, but without the historic charm but charming nonetheless.
Upon checking in, the DYKWIA answer became clear, no.
After a few minutes of consternation trying different permutations of my name I gave them the confirmation number saved to my phone, not something I always do nowadays and luckily I did as my reservation disappeared from the Hilton app as well. I dont fear Skynet without reason.
There was some discomfort and the desk clerk seemed almost embarrassed to give me a room in the one building suggesting that they were sold out and I could move the next day.
And not embarrassed without reason as the room embraced a YMCA SRO tenement vibe with some small South Beach motifs. Ive had worse, just not as grown a$$ adult.
Only the next morning I learned that the entire reservation system crashed the day before and they were flying blind. Moved to a walk-upno elevatorsthird (and top) floor oceanfront suite in building #3, the difference was night and day. I felt like the Jeffersons moving on up to the Eastside. Of course there is some goings on from the late night movable feast that is Ocean Blvd, luckily the couple next door apparently making a porn film drowned out the street noise one night.
The continental was almost covered by the $15 but other than the first day Ive been putting the script to use at the bar as there are more likable places to have breakfast.
I was disappointed that neither of the pools had a jacuzzi and being of a certain age I walked two blocks over to the Bentley to borrow theirs to stretch before heading over to Flamingo Park for some old school morning handball. Being of this certain age, no one at the Bentley front desk questioned me and sitting in their jacuzzi watching the sunrise over the Atlantic continues to be one of the simple pleasures of the trip even if having to move the open at dawn sign to step in.
The glass bottom rooftop Gabriel pool is more delightful, however. The other delightful part of the trip is none of the omnipresent jellyfish have snagged me yet, we all are enjoying 85 degree ocean water.
South Beach is, to me, like fish and chips: every so often I get a hankering then its out of my system. Off to see the Dodgers play tonight: Major League Baseball park #28.
What makes this better than the Bentley other than price?
Sep 5, 23, 12:32 pm
#22
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: California; DO-RAGS: Old Gold tagged, PIP, LatPass 1/2, AA 4MM, HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Omni
Posts: 9,104
I didnt say it was better and, frankly, I dont recall the difference in redemption points. I merely stated I didnt second guess my decision.
Since I was a lowly stowaway, really a jacuzzi refugee, from the Gabriel I didnt prowl around that much, but I didnt see any really nice public spaces. Taking the first floor elevator to the second story check in desk the vibe isnt that welcoming. The Gabriel screams South Beach, the Bentley feels somehow like a tired European resort hotel past its prime. Of course, had I been a real paying customer perhaps the Bentley would have opened up like an oyster revealing its wonders. And, in all fairness, Ive only been down the street first thing in the morning, not the liveliest of time of the day.
I havent loved the food at the Gabriel, so perhaps its better a block away.
Since I was a lowly stowaway, really a jacuzzi refugee, from the Gabriel I didnt prowl around that much, but I didnt see any really nice public spaces. Taking the first floor elevator to the second story check in desk the vibe isnt that welcoming. The Gabriel screams South Beach, the Bentley feels somehow like a tired European resort hotel past its prime. Of course, had I been a real paying customer perhaps the Bentley would have opened up like an oyster revealing its wonders. And, in all fairness, Ive only been down the street first thing in the morning, not the liveliest of time of the day.
I havent loved the food at the Gabriel, so perhaps its better a block away.
Sep 5, 23, 3:33 pm
#23
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Michigan, USA
Programs: Hilton Diamond; Delta Platinum
Posts: 524
I didnt say it was better and, frankly, I dont recall the difference in redemption points. I merely stated I didnt second guess my decision.
Since I was a lowly stowaway, really a jacuzzi refugee, from the Gabriel I didnt prowl around that much, but I didnt see any really nice public spaces. Taking the first floor elevator to the second story check in desk the vibe isnt that welcoming. The Gabriel screams South Beach, the Bentley feels somehow like a tired European resort hotel past its prime. Of course, had I been a real paying customer perhaps the Bentley would have opened up like an oyster revealing its wonders. And, in all fairness, Ive only been down the street first thing in the morning, not the liveliest of time of the day.
I havent loved the food at the Gabriel, so perhaps its better a block away.
Since I was a lowly stowaway, really a jacuzzi refugee, from the Gabriel I didnt prowl around that much, but I didnt see any really nice public spaces. Taking the first floor elevator to the second story check in desk the vibe isnt that welcoming. The Gabriel screams South Beach, the Bentley feels somehow like a tired European resort hotel past its prime. Of course, had I been a real paying customer perhaps the Bentley would have opened up like an oyster revealing its wonders. And, in all fairness, Ive only been down the street first thing in the morning, not the liveliest of time of the day.
I havent loved the food at the Gabriel, so perhaps its better a block away.
I totally agree the Bentley doesn't have a new/modern vibe, but their beach club, greek restaurant + happy hour deals, and just the overall vibe of South of Fifth (nice restaurants, sunset at South Pointe Pier, etc.). completely make up for it in my opinion. One of these days there has to be someone that's stayed at all 3 to provide more a direct comparison!
Sep 6, 23, 11:10 am
#25
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: California; DO-RAGS: Old Gold tagged, PIP, LatPass 1/2, AA 4MM, HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Omni
Posts: 9,104
I'm a frequent guest of the Bentley and have considered the gabriel or even the gale further north, but have always stuck to the Bentley for 2-3 night stays due to the beach club and overall location South of Fifth
I totally agree the Bentley doesn't have a new/modern vibe, but their beach club, greek restaurant + happy hour deals, and just the overall vibe of South of Fifth (nice restaurants, sunset at South Pointe Pier, etc.). completely make up for it in my opinion. One of these days there has to be someone that's stayed at all 3 to provide more a direct comparison!
I totally agree the Bentley doesn't have a new/modern vibe, but their beach club, greek restaurant + happy hour deals, and just the overall vibe of South of Fifth (nice restaurants, sunset at South Pointe Pier, etc.). completely make up for it in my opinion. One of these days there has to be someone that's stayed at all 3 to provide more a direct comparison!
Off back to the Gabriel for my two-hour bike amenity and then todays big decision: whether to drive back to the very likable LoanDepot Park for revengeand $18 beersor find a South Beach local that has the gameand $12 beers. First world problem, I know.
Sep 6, 23, 11:22 am
#26
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,793
I dismissed The Gale for not being ocean-adjacent but as I was walking nearby doing some art deco gawking I wandered through and, Meh. I guess its near the Lincoln pedestrian mall, but BFD.
Off back to the Gabriel for my two-hour bike amenity and then todays big decision: whether to drive back to the very likable LoanDepot Park for revengeand $18 beersor find a South Beach local that has the gameand $12 beers. First world problem, I know.
Off back to the Gabriel for my two-hour bike amenity and then todays big decision: whether to drive back to the very likable LoanDepot Park for revengeand $18 beersor find a South Beach local that has the gameand $12 beers. First world problem, I know.
Sep 6, 23, 12:09 pm
#27
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: California; DO-RAGS: Old Gold tagged, PIP, LatPass 1/2, AA 4MM, HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Omni
Posts: 9,104
Although the Gale is a block from the ocean, they give you access to their sister property, the Shelbourne, and the free beach chairs and umbrellas there. For comparison, the bike amenity wasn't limited to 2 hours. The main downside is the standard rooms are small if you don't have a balcony. I didn't try the Gabriel yet due to noise comments (nor the cityside Gabriel).
