I was there as a hurricane wilma refugee while I waited for power and water to be restored at my place. Granted, given the circumstances, the hotel was not operating at 100%, but I have to say they made a profound impression on me....a very good one.

The rooms were OK...light, bright, and well maintained, but not luxurious by any stretch. The staff was friendly, pleasant and helpful. Parking is an issue, as you are basically a hostage to their valet service given the lack of street or self parking...so add about 16/day to your budget plus tips. Internet access is free (wifi in the lobby, cabled in the rooms).

This property appears to be a renovated old-style Miami Beach oceanfront hotel...and much of the property confirms this image, from the old/slow elevators (I could have walked to my floor faster with crutches) to the corny decor of the lobby and dining room which seemed to have escaped the renovations. When I was there, the kitchen did an incredible job leveraging everything they had on hand (there were no food deliveries for the first few days) to provide 3 meals a day (buffet style) at fair prices...with everything back to normal, the restaurant should have the normal fare with Denny's quality for breakfast/lunch and abit fancier offerings for dinner - but remember where you are - there are much more appealing options off-property, and at lower prices.

There is a small, basic exercise room, a nice pool and sundeck, and the beach is right out back with a nice boardwalk to stroll along. See if you can get a high floor oceanview room - it's well worth it.

Are you choosing Miami Beach for any particular reason? There are much more appealing properties to choose from in South Florida, including much nicer locales. Miami Beach in the Collins/40s area is not South Beach, and is an old, dated, ugly area trapped in the 1950s-60s. It might have been nice when my grandparents vacationed there decades before I was born, but it would not be on my list of hotspots now.

It's nice for a cheap stay, but to say the hotel is nice is probably a stretch to most folks.

Mediocre on a good day
 

I was there in February for a few nights on business. I thought the place was worn, dated, and in moderate to significant need of renovation. I had colleagues staying down the street (couple of blocks South) at the Courtyard and their hotel appeared much newer and nicer by comparison. As I recall, my hotel room door had enough space beneath it that noise in the halls (families with young kids, drunken late night folks, etc...) was clearly audible in my room. On the positive side, the hotel is on the boardwalk, which is a nice place for walking and running.

One particular thing that stuck with me. I called down the night before I was scheduled to check out and requested the Platinum 3:00 pm check-out. I asked nicely, got a bunch of lip from the kid working the front desk, then stated that as a Platinum this request was usually not met with much resistance. Getting nowhere, I politely hung up, called back from my cell phone and had the hotel operator connect me with the GM's voicemail. Left him a polite voicemail requesting a late check-out and a call back the next morning, but never heard back the next day by the time I departed.

The only reason I would return would be the cheap offseason rates. I think in February I paid around $199/night, which I didn't think was much of a bargain for the quality of digs and service I encountered.

How bad is 4 points miami?
 

I have a res next week (4 days) and the week after at the Four Points Miami. After reading all the bad reviews I'm concerned. I've stayed at other so-so 4 points before (like 4 Points outside DC) But have also stayed in the Sydney 4 Points (nice!) But I'm working in downtown Miami and don't want to add extra drive time. I wonder if a call to the Plat Conceige would do anything? I'm curious to see the place, but don't want to be stuck in a dump. As long as it's clean, and has decent beds I'm happy. And the Sheraton Mart seems to be nice but isn't anywhere fun and is more $.

Any suggestions?

Do you mean the 4 Points Miami Beach? That's the only one I see in the Miami area. I stayed there last month using Priceline. It's a fairly typical 4 Points. The location is so-so, not a bad beachfront but the neighborhood is a bit run down and there's not much to do in the area. It's mostly frequented by families. There's a small pool and jacuzzi.

I wasn't dissappointed, but also wasn't expecting much. It seemed clean, at least for a family/beach hotel. The bed was fine, and the staff was quite helpful. It's not a dump, but not a huge step up from a Days Inn. I note that you will have a car, which is necessary if staying in this area.

by far the worst starwood experience i have ever had - to be avoided

Bad Experiance at Four Points Miami Beach
 

Past weekend I have stayed at the Four Points by Sheraton Miami Beach. When I checked in at 3PM my room was not avail and finally one hour later I was able to check in. I was suprised by this b/c I am a Platinum member Upon entering my room and settling in I have found previous guest underwear under the bed that were sticking out. What do you guys think I should do? I called the front desk right away and informed them of my finding and it took them over two hours to send someone up, by that time I have removed the underwear myself and placed them outside of my door.

how do you know it took over two hours after sticking them outside the door? did you keep checking on them? :D

as can be seen in numerous other threads on this hotel (hint, hint), people have had issues. instead of fighting with the property, i would call starwood customer service when i returned from the trip. 800-328-6242

I'm headed there Monday....can't wait to see what troubles I experience! :rolleyes:

four points miami report
 

I'm at the four point right now and find it's not as bad as I had expected.

When I checked in I was upgraded to a suite on the 5th floor and was given the option for Plat gift.

The issues I've read included; "slow to get your car from the valet" - When I checked in they said call down 30 minutes before hand to get your car. There is also a sign in the lobby advising that. So, that what I've been doing and having no problems. "Elevators were slow" - I've had no long waits for an elevator.

I'm happy with my suite...two rooms, one with couch & kitchenette, the other with a king. Two tvs. And a huge patio looking out on the pool and beach. The place is clean, the water pressure and temp are fine. I don't hear any noise from the hall ways. The AC works ok, but it's humid in the room.

This is an old property that could be refurbished, but it's ok and clean. The staff has been fine with me.

I would say, for a resort property on miami beach paying around $110/night, it's as good as you should expect.

burrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
 

I've stayed there before in order to keep my SPG platinum status...can't believe you need a heater in November in FL...crazy.

This place is so bad that I don't even bother looking at it any more...I get much more value out of the Doubletree Surfcomber...even if I needed a few more stays to keep my Platinum status, I wouldn't book the four pts. They need to tear that place down and start over.

Retaining Status
 

Status....This is the only reason I'm here!

Okay, this is the funniest (sorry it's at your expense, CE!) thing I've read on FT this month. Thanks for the laffs.

That said, one of the things I most detest about these aged hotels is that miserable CENTRALLY CONTROLLED CLIMATE CONTROL business. It never works out well for anyone and I'm either frozen or roasting. Absolutely ridiculous that after lo these many years of running that hotel there is no better solution.

To have to request 4 heaters is maddening. You haven't indicated, but one guesses that the hotel management might see fit to make a significant gesture here?

Keep us posted. In the meanwhile, keep warm! :cool:

Recent stay?
 

Has anyone had the pleasure or displeasure of staying here recently (or has a visit planned for January)? I have an upcoming stay in February and am considering alternate accommodations based on the mixed, but primarily negative feedback.

Thanks and happy new year!