Lovin' Life at the Bentley Beach Hotel
by TripAdvisor Member Girl_Meets_World
Lovin' Life at the Bentley Beach Hotel!
We recently stayed at the Bentley Beach Hotel for one night after going on a Bahamas cruise. We wanted to spend some time on Miami's South Beach to check out the area. One word: WOW!!! This hotel absolutely blew our expectations away.
First of all, the staff are very friendly and hospitable and they go above and beyond to keep the customer happy. They recommended a great and casual, fun restaurant: Big Pink, just around the corner. They also granted us a later time check-out because our flight wasn't until later on in the afternoon the next day. And they gave us an incredible room with no extra charge. Great customer service is so important to us. We paid about $350/night for this room. That is alot of money, but we would pay it again to stay here.
Next, we stayed in a large and elegant room: #1005. It had a huge balcony that overlooked Miami Beach, the Port of Miami (so we could watch the cruise ships come and go) and overlooking the city of Miami. It was such a spectacular view we never wanted to leave the balcony. The room was beautifully decorated, almost with a European flair, with a beautiful and new tile bathroom and with a kitchenette that had marble countertops with new stainless steel appliances. The bed/bedding was so comfortable so we got a great night sleep.
Then, we had close access to Miami Beach. It's literally right behind the hotel, so this is a true "oceanfront property" hotel.
Lastly, the location was our favorite aspect to this hotel because it is at the end of South Beach on 1st and Ocean. It is away from the main commotion and action of South Beach. We were there with many Spring Breakers so there were alot of people staying in this area during this time. Yet, all of the restaurants, clubs, hotels, movie theaters, and galleries are only a short 5-10 minute stroll (great for people watching) to go where you want to go and hang out or eat. It was great fun to go and hang out with the crowds, but so nice to be able to leave and go to the quiet end of South Beach away from the rowdy crowds and young adults. Our stay at this hotel was a highlight of our trip and when we come back to Miami, we will stay here for sure! Don't get confused with their other, older hotel: The Bentley Hotel, just a few short blocks away.
One tip about this area, parking is a nightmare. It is expensive to valet park at the hotels and good luck finding a parking spot on the street. Everything you need is right in this area. If you don't plan on leaving the Miami Beach area, then don't rent a car. We took a taxi from the Port of Miami (about $25) and then we walked where we needed to go. There is so much to see here that you will miss alot if you are in a car anyway. When we went to dinner, we did get a taxi ride to 16th/Lincoln to eat, and that only cost us about $8. We did take a taxi back to the Miami airport for $25. So save your money, bring good walking shoes and enjoy the stroll.
Choose the Bentley BEACH Hotel and you will not go wrong. Enjoy your stay!
Great Hotel
by TripAdvisor Member TravelinJunkie2
We stayed at the Bentley Beach Hotel 4/3/06 to 4/8/06 and had a wonderful time. The 1 bedroom suite had a living/dining area, kitchen with stainless steel appliances and a bathroom with a jacuzzi tub. We spent many hours enjoying the spectalular ocean front view on the balcony that wrapped around the corner suite. On Monday we sat on the balcony and watched as the cruise ships that left Miami Port passed by.The Bentley is further south of the South Beach hub bub which makes for a relaxing stay but its a short walk if you want the nightlife. Many fine restaurants close by. Just wanted to claify that the Benchley Beach Hotel is right on the beach and the Bentley Hotel is a few blocks north across the street from the beach. Trip advisor has the picture of the Bentley Beach Hotel on the website for the Bentley Hotel.
Great experience
by TripAdvisor Member soccermom29
I stayed at the Bentley Beach Hotel with my husband and three kids. We had a great stay. We had a beach front room with a balcony. It was very relaxing to look out on the beach. The beach was very convenient. Front desk staff were very pleasant and attentive. I do think that the hotel should offer a free continental breakfast or free coffee at least. I would stay here again.
If you can afford it, get the room with a balcony overlooking the beach.
An AMAZING experience!
by A TripAdvisor Member
I was going on a cruise and wanted a GREAT hotel to stay for a few days afterward. I searched for two weeks carefully weighing my options. I got a GREAT deal on the Bentley Beach Hotel in South Beach and decided this was the one. What I received on arrival was MUCH MORE than anticipated. The hotel was BEAUTIFUL. The customer service went beyond any expectations. The junior suite was incredible, stocked with every amentity you could imagine. The hotel is close to GREAT restaurants and the beach was stunning. I can't say enough about this place and all it has to offer. It was pricy but worth every cent...
LOVED IT! Please do not be Mislead by other reviewers!
by TripAdvisor Member linabowers
We just came back from the Bentley Beach Hotel. Please be aware that there are two Bentley hotels near one another and i am wondering if people are confusing this hotel for the Bentley near by. This hotel was wonderful. It's in a quiet section of South Beach within walking distance of Joe's Stone Crab (which is a fabulous restaurant)! The pool was on the smaller side but wonderful with towels always put out on the chairs and cold bottles of water on ice waiting for you on a nearby table. They make sure that no one but hotel guests get in the pool as it is not locked and near the public access to the beach. The beach was right behind the hotel and the service there was great as well. We stayed in a partial Ocean View (RM 912) 1 bedroom. The room was again on the smaller side but it had a full kitchen in it and was stunningly beautiful with granite counter tops and new appliances.
The service all the way around was impecable. The front desk was always smiling and gracious and they always went out of there way to say hello and be friendly. We would love to go back.
It was a wonderful; stay and we would highly recomend it. Next time we are springing for a balcony! :-)
Appears Top Notch But Falls Seriously Short
by A TripAdvisor Member
We unexpectedly visited the Bentley Beach Hotel this weekend while in-town for the SOBE Food and Wine Fest. I say unexpectedly because we were booked at the Bentley Hotel, their other property located closer to where the event we were attending was actually located. We were bumped to this sister property with NO NOTIFICATION. Needless to say were rightly frustrated when after spending half an hour getting parking and entering the hotel we were then directed back to our car and shuffeld a 1/2 mile down the road to the other hotel. While this was not a big deal the lack of service and consideration in not contacting us beforehand was not appreciated. Upon check-in we were given a lightening fast verbal rundown of how to get to our room. Unfortuantely we were given NO PROPERTY info. WHile this may not seem like a big deal, when a property charges a $10 daily resort fee, it would only be reasonable to inform the guest what this fee entitles them to. The accomodations at the Bentley Beach were acceptable. The bathroom was roomy and clean. Our disappointment came with the lack of housekeeping service. Our room was not turned down on either evening of our 2-night stay. Additionally, the $10 resort fee covered absolutely nothing. There was no attendant by the pool and the gym was unkempt. Overall this hotel is average. At a generous $300 - $600 per night, the Bentley Beach is on par with SOBE prices, but not on par with the level of service and accomodation that are normally attached to such steep hotel rates.
Awesome ocean front terrace in room 407! We loved it!
by TripAdvisor Member standard
We stayed in a 2 bdrm ocean front suite in the beginning of Feb and absolutely loved it!
The terrace must have been at least 1000 sq ft (it is shared w/ the adjoining 1 bdrm ocean front suite but felt very private because the neighbors were hardly around).
The front desk and concierge sent a complimentary bottle of Veuve Cliquot and also breakfast for 2 because we were celebrating a 40th birthday.
Except for a few minor issues such as the microwave not working and inconsistent service from housekeeping, we were overall pleased with the level of service from the staff. However, they did involuntarily check us out earlier than we expected because 2 members of our party left in the early morning while the rest of us stayed behind.
If you are looking for something right in the heart of South Beach, this is not the hotel for you. We loved the beachfront location and the convenience of great restaurants all around and knew in advance that the hotel restaurants and spa were not open. They do serve continental breakfast on the 4th floor if you want to pay.
Helpful tip - I booked this directly through the sales department at the hotel and was able to negotiate a discount because we stayed for 4 nights and had a group of 7 people. They waived the extra person charge (we had 5 people and the 2 bdrm is for 4 people). They didn't charge us for early check in and late check out.
Note that the sleeper sofa is not comfortable. You can feel all 3 support bars right through the mattress.
Pool is ok. Nice gym and hot tub on our 4th floor. I did not use the gym equipment, but my family did and were impressed with the TV monitors that are built into each piece of gym equipment.
Overall a great experience and we loved South Beach!
On a side note, Joe's Stone Crab, Taverna Opa, Front Porch Cafe, Big Pink (don't take out) - all highly recommmended!
Mandarin Oriental Spa - very nice but overpriced
Massage by Design - the worst massage I've ever had and the environment is terrible. The noise from the receptionist's desk and the guests in the waiting area was overwhelming. They need to sound proof the treatment rooms.
Great location for beach and nightlife
by TripAdvisor Member LABLOUIE
I spent a week here in December and found the service to be very attentive and helpful. Great location on the beach with lots of good restaurants within walking distance. Will definitely return next time in Miami.
