alpen1

Anyone in the Miami area know if it looks like the Aloft will be opening on time? Still not taking reservations on SPG.com just over 2 months from opening date. Will be in that area the weekend of the 23rd and this would suit perfectly. Also Lurkers any idea?

Thanks

Starwood Lurker

This is the only Aloft hotel near Miami that I've heard anything about recently:

We are proud to announce that the Aloft Miami Doral is now part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts. The hotel is accepting reservations as of today, January 10, 2013, for future dates on or after April 11, 2013. The official opening date is February 28, 2013. SPG Category 3.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

BigBopper

I don't get it. If the hotel opens on Feb 28th then why can't you make a reservation until April? Obviously it's either a soft opening or a flexible date but then why say you're open?

Starwood Lurker

Because they are open to groups, but not individuals yet?

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

alpen1

So no info on: https://www.starwoodhotels.com/prefe...ropertyID=3629

Anyone been past lately to see if construction is complete?

holtju2

Now accepting reservations starting on August 1, although the opening date is supposed to be July 11. Award category 4 property.

KosherKimchee

Wow, maybe I'm the first here to stay this property.

Pluses: Breakfast was complimentary, staff seemed eager (but is still not yet fully trained). Good dining options at Mary Brickell village just 1 block away by walk. Car ready at valet within 1 minute of calling, but there were hardly any other guests at hotel as not all floors are ready it seems.

Negative: Booked a "suite", assured it was a suite. Was just a standard Aloft room with bigger foyer area by bathroom. Not an extra chair or table in the room (had plan to set up a work area, that's why booked suite). Plumbing horrible, sink and toilet kept getting clogged without any reason. Area kind of desolate and sketchy until you walk east to MB village.

Odd: Offered 250 points or breakfast amenity. When I took the points, mentioned that breakfast complimentary every morning right now. Then why offer to me in lieu of points???

alpen1

Stayed on 9/30 for my birthday, was also 1st night as Plat.

Pros: Given corner suite on 9th floor, staff very friendly and helpful, bottle of wine sent to room for birthday (~$13-15 bottle), free breakfast though relatively limited options, free newspapers (not this "free" but $1 added to bill crap), location, still has that new hotel smell, slept well

Cons: All floors not complete - no construction noise noted though, feels a bit cheap (W look but not the quality of materials or furniture i.e. painted plastic tiles to look like marble instead of tiles), area feels sketchy as it's a couple blocks off main Brickell rd. and apartments across the street and some people hanging around by train station are a bit iffy, valet only at $23 a night, some odd wiring in the rooms (main light in bedroom of suite could only be turned on or off by switch in living room.

Would def stay again in the area, our rate was $109 and I thought that was very fair.

heakja

How is the location of this aloft compared to aloft Doral? Considering a (preferably quiet) stay at one of these alofts before a cruise next year.

alpen1

Depends on what you're after...I'd stay here over Doral, though there is some airport noise I prefer this area of town and being closer to the water to the more suburban feeling Doral (unless golfing of course!) We stay in the Element by the airport the most while in Miami as they have a decent free breakfast and IMO very comfortable, quiet rooms. Though not as central as this one

cyncyn129

If you're going on a cruise that leaves out of the Port of Miami, stay at the Aloft in Brickell. It's much closer - i.e. 5 min cab ride. Doral is a lot farther from the port.

heakja

Thanks! We will have a car, so the distance to the cruise port is not that important. Having a quiet and relaxing time is far more important. I imagine the more isolated Doral location means less of a party-scene?

cyncyn129

I wouldn't call Brickell a "party scene". It does have an outdoor restaurant/bar/shopping mall called Mary Brickell Village, that can get busy and crowded, especially on Friday & Saturday nights. But the Aloft is two blocks from there, in a quiet area.

I'm just not a fan of Doral. Its very West, very suburban, and not very pretty. Think lots of office parks, strip malls, etc. If I had a friend visiting from out of town, even if they wanted "quiet and relaxing time" I would never recommend Doral. Just my $.02.

abk

Any stay reports on this hotel

RafKa

Stayed here last August. Typical downtown Aloft, valet parking (no self park). Lots of construction going on in the vicinity, although noise levels ok. Some road closures, meaning the 2-block walk to Mary Brickell Village can be a little longer. Large Publix supermarket couple blocks away (also blocked off due to construction). 4 blocks to Brickell proper.

Property is quite nice, standard Aloft facilities, small pool area, gym, laundry room. Got upgraded to a nice little corner suite, with separate lounge area, featuring Eames rocking chairs and a couch. A/c is a little noisy as features a separate part inside the lounge area: I believe in the small rooms, this noisy "part" would be in the sleeping area. Have encountered this design at the Element MIA.

All in all, good if you're specifically looking for an SPG property in the Brickell area, but compared with others (like JW Marriott, Viceroy, Epic by Kimpton) it lags in terms of location and facilities, while often not being much cheaper than its superior competitors.