W Miami (downtown) [Master Thread]
Jul 9, 2016, 11:53 am
#31
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: YOW
Programs: TK*S, SPG Gold
Posts: 714
so 1, I'd say that Mandarin IS the nicest downtown hotel it's just that you can't walk to many places. I know I know Uber, but I love the ability to walk places. Second JW Marquis/Beau Arts is probably the best finish hotel and location isn't bad. That said I've only stayed at Veceroy twice and I thought everything was 5* but it wasn't crowded when I was them to the extent that a coworker brought girls up to the pool and they proceeded to smoke with no issue (which I'm not condoning).
I don't get what you said about security not allowing pictures of river/canal. Railings were pretty protective, so if they tried to stop me id have ignored them and kept on. I will say that it was not a party focused hotel and more about "luxury" non common folk but if expect that would be the first thing to change with W hosting some real blow out weekend parties with a DJ on hand. Not saying I want this but kind of expect it.
I don't get what you said about security not allowing pictures of river/canal. Railings were pretty protective, so if they tried to stop me id have ignored them and kept on. I will say that it was not a party focused hotel and more about "luxury" non common folk but if expect that would be the first thing to change with W hosting some real blow out weekend parties with a DJ on hand. Not saying I want this but kind of expect it.
Aug 23, 2016, 1:47 pm
#33
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
Oct 31, 2016, 4:58 pm
#34
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SLC/HEL/Anywhere with a Beach
Programs: Marriott Ambassador; AA EXP 3MM; AS MVP, Hilton Gold, CH-47/UH-60/C-23/C-130 VET
Posts: 5,234
Any suggestions on for a weekend getaway comparing the W Miami (old Viceroy) to the JW Marquis? I'm a plat and not sure which is better on the hanging out side. Or which the GF will enjoy more. I didn't see any feedback on upgrades for plats here although it looks like they have a lot of suites.
Jun 27, 2017, 5:06 pm
#36
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SFO/DTW
Programs: DL PM 0.5MM, Hyatt Globalist, HHonors Gold, SPG Plat, Marriott Gold, Avis PC, National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,988
Recently stayed at the W Miami. I booked the wrong hotel (didn't realize there were 2 W hotels in Miami) so unfortunately I did not get to try the W South Beach.
I booked the hotel at 7pm local. Checked into the hotel around 9pm. Most upgrade rooms were already given away but I still got upgraded to a corner room on floor 5. Big room with a kitchen. Pretty comfortable. Choose points as amenity.
Valet parked my car. Valet driver paired his phone to my rental car and used the bluetooth radio. Also changed all the radio settings. Not a big deal, but very annoying.
No resort fee. Personally, I wasn't very impressed with the hotel for the W brand.
I booked the hotel at 7pm local. Checked into the hotel around 9pm. Most upgrade rooms were already given away but I still got upgraded to a corner room on floor 5. Big room with a kitchen. Pretty comfortable. Choose points as amenity.
Valet parked my car. Valet driver paired his phone to my rental car and used the bluetooth radio. Also changed all the radio settings. Not a big deal, but very annoying.
No resort fee. Personally, I wasn't very impressed with the hotel for the W brand.
Jun 27, 2017, 5:39 pm
#37
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Delta - Gold; Starwood - Platinum; HHonors - Diamond & Avis Preferred
Posts: 10,869
Recently stayed at the W Miami. I booked the wrong hotel (didn't realize there were 2 W hotels in Miami) so unfortunately I did not get to try the W South Beach.
I booked the hotel at 7pm local. Checked into the hotel around 9pm. Most upgrade rooms were already given away but I still got upgraded to a corner room on floor 5. Big room with a kitchen. Pretty comfortable. Choose points as amenity.
Valet parked my car. Valet driver paired his phone to my rental car and used the bluetooth radio. Also changed all the radio settings. Not a big deal, but very annoying.
No resort fee. Personally, I wasn't very impressed with the hotel for the W brand.
I booked the hotel at 7pm local. Checked into the hotel around 9pm. Most upgrade rooms were already given away but I still got upgraded to a corner room on floor 5. Big room with a kitchen. Pretty comfortable. Choose points as amenity.
Valet parked my car. Valet driver paired his phone to my rental car and used the bluetooth radio. Also changed all the radio settings. Not a big deal, but very annoying.
No resort fee. Personally, I wasn't very impressed with the hotel for the W brand.
Jun 28, 2017, 3:29 pm
#38
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SFO/DTW
Programs: DL PM 0.5MM, Hyatt Globalist, HHonors Gold, SPG Plat, Marriott Gold, Avis PC, National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,988
Aug 9, 2017, 2:50 am
#39
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 6,017
Was recently checking rates at this property and noticed they claim to participate in the Birth year offer: http://www.americas.starwoodoffers.com/payyourbirthyear
However, when clicking through the offer - it shows the W as 100% greyed out (which means they do not participate). Quite misleading.
Lurkers - can you either have them removed from the promo birth year website or have them load their participating dates?
However, when clicking through the offer - it shows the W as 100% greyed out (which means they do not participate). Quite misleading.
Lurkers - can you either have them removed from the promo birth year website or have them load their participating dates?
Aug 9, 2017, 10:05 am
#40
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, LLC
[email protected]
Oct 9, 2017, 9:43 pm
#41
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 6,017
I recently completed a stay. I was unimpressed.
1- Arrived at 1:30pm. Room wasn't ready (no issue here since it was early). they took my cell and texted me when room was ready. Friendly check-in.
2- I left a letter with the concierge with instructions to call my room when the person picked it up and left a letter for me. This was not done. I had to go down to check only to find the front desk agent didn't know about it even though concierge assured me he would leave word with them since he would be gone by the time the letter was delivered.
3- A nice fruit plate was left for me in the room as a welcome amenity. A plus. No fork was left to enjoy it. A minus.
4- Room was upgraded to Corner... lovely room. Best part of the stay was the room. The corner room is large and lovely.
5- DND was on door and yet someone knocked to bring extra water. Why would the staff ignore a DND hang tag? For water of all things?!
6- No business center or even desk to sit to work. Was told to go to the restaurant and sit at a table. Seriously? This is the best you can offer? Why not figure out a way/area for a small business center?
7- Worst of all the A/C in the room didn't work properly. I spoke to 3 different people at the front desk about it and they assured me someone would be sent up to repair. No one showed up ever. At checkout when I told the lady about it she just said, sorry. No goodwill gesture of any kind.
I expect more from a W.
1- Arrived at 1:30pm. Room wasn't ready (no issue here since it was early). they took my cell and texted me when room was ready. Friendly check-in.
2- I left a letter with the concierge with instructions to call my room when the person picked it up and left a letter for me. This was not done. I had to go down to check only to find the front desk agent didn't know about it even though concierge assured me he would leave word with them since he would be gone by the time the letter was delivered.
3- A nice fruit plate was left for me in the room as a welcome amenity. A plus. No fork was left to enjoy it. A minus.
4- Room was upgraded to Corner... lovely room. Best part of the stay was the room. The corner room is large and lovely.
5- DND was on door and yet someone knocked to bring extra water. Why would the staff ignore a DND hang tag? For water of all things?!
6- No business center or even desk to sit to work. Was told to go to the restaurant and sit at a table. Seriously? This is the best you can offer? Why not figure out a way/area for a small business center?
7- Worst of all the A/C in the room didn't work properly. I spoke to 3 different people at the front desk about it and they assured me someone would be sent up to repair. No one showed up ever. At checkout when I told the lady about it she just said, sorry. No goodwill gesture of any kind.
I expect more from a W.
Oct 30, 2017, 10:27 pm
#42
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: FLL
Programs: US CP, AA Plat, DL Silver, EY Gold, Kimpton IC, SPG Plat
Posts: 409
I'll be in no rush to stay at the W Miami again.
While the staff were fine, the main pool deck is closed for renovations. No notice was given on the website or via email. The remaining pool deck is small, required taking two elevators, and, upon check-in, we were informed that it would be unavailable after 2PM due to a wedding. The front desk was apologetic and offered to shuttle us to the Marquis to swim. A nice offer and I wondered if they'd mind driving me in swim trunks and a bathrobe. At any rate, we ended up using a friend's hotel pool down the road.
Low floor rooms get a lot of street and construction noise. The breakfast restaurant also gets lots of construction noise from the aforementioned pooldeck project.
I used an SNA to upgrade to a suite. It was nicely furnished but lacked certain details like garbage cans by the desk, tissues in the bathrooms and a tested coffee machine (they replaced it quickly). Also, no platinum welcome note, fruit or anything.
On the bright side, no A/C problems and the keys worked without having to get them reprogrammed every day like some properties.
Again, good people and worth another shot if you have to be in downtown. Though you might want to wait until construction settles down a bit (: call to check ).
While the staff were fine, the main pool deck is closed for renovations. No notice was given on the website or via email. The remaining pool deck is small, required taking two elevators, and, upon check-in, we were informed that it would be unavailable after 2PM due to a wedding. The front desk was apologetic and offered to shuttle us to the Marquis to swim. A nice offer and I wondered if they'd mind driving me in swim trunks and a bathrobe. At any rate, we ended up using a friend's hotel pool down the road.
Low floor rooms get a lot of street and construction noise. The breakfast restaurant also gets lots of construction noise from the aforementioned pooldeck project.
I used an SNA to upgrade to a suite. It was nicely furnished but lacked certain details like garbage cans by the desk, tissues in the bathrooms and a tested coffee machine (they replaced it quickly). Also, no platinum welcome note, fruit or anything.
On the bright side, no A/C problems and the keys worked without having to get them reprogrammed every day like some properties.
Again, good people and worth another shot if you have to be in downtown. Though you might want to wait until construction settles down a bit (: call to check ).
Dec 29, 2017, 7:46 am
#43
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1K, SPG Plat, Hyatt Diamond, NYC MTA Gold, AA EXP
Posts: 318
The worst W property--no "swanky" W vibe at all. Stayed at a Marvelous suite and was very underwhelmed. Looks like 15th floor pool/gym construction is almost done and that may bring some "coolness" back.
Dec 20, 2020, 7:44 pm
#45
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
Review : W Miami
Stay Report - 12/19 to 12/20
Location: The hotel is located in Downtown Miami on Brickell Avenue just south of the Miami River. It's located in a really nice part of downtown in walking distance to the Kimpton Epic, the JW and a few other hotels with excellent dining. Also there's nicely a number of CVS locations including a 24 hour one you can walk to. It is a little annoying to get onto I-95 due to the roadways around here but you can still get to MIA in 15 minutes.
Hotel: The hotel is a modern 15 story high rise with attached Residences which is a longer building. The lobby is comparatively small and only contains as small sitting area and coffee shop. The pool deck is on the 15th floor and up there is a restaurant and bar. Do note that on weekdays there is no in room dining or dining at the restaurant. The spa is currently closed but the fitness center remains open. Parking is valet only with in and out privileges at $42 a day.
Lobby and coffee shop
Current services
Pool Deck
Check In: A friendly agent helped get me checked in and offered me points or breakfast as an amenity. All the staff I met here were extremely friendly and helpful.
Room: I booked a Spectacular Guest Room and applied a SNA and was upgraded to a Marvelous Suite. The room was incredible. There was a huge living room with desk, TV, couch and two chairs, a dining table, a kitchen area with a microwave, fridge and range top and a powder room. The separate bedroom was large with another TV, a balcony with a view of the river and a huge bathroom with separate tub and shower. It's one of the best hotels in the US I've stayed in in fact.
Powder Room
Master Bath
Dining: I visited the bar for a drink and then took breakfast at the restaurant as well. Breakfast is a buffet with a server handling all the food. It had cereal, fruit, yogurt, scrambled eggs, sausage and bacon, chicken sausage and waffles. I will say some of the food was pretty low quality. The waffles were clearly frozen and served with Smuckers Breakfast Syrup. Service though was amazing.
AddICT Restaurant and Bar
Breakfast
Overall the hotel was a touch pricy at $219 but I really enjoyed my stay. The room and service made it all worth it.
Location: The hotel is located in Downtown Miami on Brickell Avenue just south of the Miami River. It's located in a really nice part of downtown in walking distance to the Kimpton Epic, the JW and a few other hotels with excellent dining. Also there's nicely a number of CVS locations including a 24 hour one you can walk to. It is a little annoying to get onto I-95 due to the roadways around here but you can still get to MIA in 15 minutes.
Hotel: The hotel is a modern 15 story high rise with attached Residences which is a longer building. The lobby is comparatively small and only contains as small sitting area and coffee shop. The pool deck is on the 15th floor and up there is a restaurant and bar. Do note that on weekdays there is no in room dining or dining at the restaurant. The spa is currently closed but the fitness center remains open. Parking is valet only with in and out privileges at $42 a day.
Lobby and coffee shop
Current services
Pool Deck
Check In: A friendly agent helped get me checked in and offered me points or breakfast as an amenity. All the staff I met here were extremely friendly and helpful.
Room: I booked a Spectacular Guest Room and applied a SNA and was upgraded to a Marvelous Suite. The room was incredible. There was a huge living room with desk, TV, couch and two chairs, a dining table, a kitchen area with a microwave, fridge and range top and a powder room. The separate bedroom was large with another TV, a balcony with a view of the river and a huge bathroom with separate tub and shower. It's one of the best hotels in the US I've stayed in in fact.
Powder Room
Master Bath
Dining: I visited the bar for a drink and then took breakfast at the restaurant as well. Breakfast is a buffet with a server handling all the food. It had cereal, fruit, yogurt, scrambled eggs, sausage and bacon, chicken sausage and waffles. I will say some of the food was pretty low quality. The waffles were clearly frozen and served with Smuckers Breakfast Syrup. Service though was amazing.
AddICT Restaurant and Bar
Breakfast
Overall the hotel was a touch pricy at $219 but I really enjoyed my stay. The room and service made it all worth it.