Hotel Impala was okay, but had some problems
by A TripAdvisor Member
For my first trip to South Beach, we stayed at Hotel Impala for two nights in June of '04. We booked a room through Expedia and received a reasonable rate, but sub-standard service. The room was at the end of the hall on the first floor across from the utility closet. The staff behind the desk seemed more concerned with checking their email than checking us in. We were given zero attention - which I considered odd b/c the hotel was not full. At one point I had to disturb the young woman behind the desk (who was on a personal call) to ask where I could find a local pharmacy. She stared at me for a full minute before she finally mouthed the words, "make a left." Needless to say, she wasn't too helpful.
The hotel is in a great location with a lovely courtyard and restaurant. There is an "interesting" bathroom set-up and oversized rustic furniture. BUT, there were loud clanging pipe noises throughout the night and the banging crash of trash cans, first thing both mornings.
I do want to say that we were provided plush, green beach towels at no extra charge. Also, the older woman who checked us out was quite friendly and helpful.
If you stay here, don't book through Expedia. The poor treatment is not worth the price break.
Fabulous Art Deco Hotel
by TripAdvisor Member SandENewton_MA
We had the pleasure of staying at this fabulous Art Deco Hotel - the Hotel Impala - in January 2005. It is stylishly different and the amenities are really very good. The hotel and the rooms were very clean, the bathroom was spacious and the shower hot and strong. The bed was very comfortable and the European style linens were a treat. Worth noting is the attentiveness and courtesy of the staff. All in all, if you need an affordable yet stylish accommodation – you could not do better than the Hotel Impala!
great little hotel
by A TripAdvisor Member
it was our anniversarry & we were looking for a little getaway not too far from home. were very impressed w/hotel impala. right in the middle of art deco district, within walking distance of everything.
at same time, hotel was very quiet & restful. beautifully maintained, very pleasant staff. would return anytime.
Can't wait to go back
by A TripAdvisor Member
My wife and I went down to South Beach for a little weekend getaway and were thrilled about our stay at Hotel Impala. We had reviewed tripadvisor before going and are glad that we did. Roz and her staff made our stay more pleasant. We didn't even realize until we opened the door to the room that we had been upgraded. What a surprise! The light breakfast was just perfect and the rooms definitely had character. The proximity to the beach was ideal with it just 1 block away. We saw a lot of complaints with South Beach hotels about the noise, but did not experience any problems here. We'll be back next year.
Best kept secret in South Beach
by A TripAdvisor Member
We have just spent four nights at the Hotel Impala in South Beach Florida and have never before had such magnificent service. Each and every one of the staff at this imaculate boutique hotel introduced themselves upon our arrival and called us by name each time we met thereafter. The rooms are spacious , well appointed and kept meticulously clean and updated. The hotel also features a continental breakfast in their beautiful restaurant which is also open for dinner and is popular with guests of the hotel as well as other South Beach visitors.
The staff made several recommendations for places to visit and dine in the area and they made every effort to ask us questions about what we like to match us with a destination. We were extemely happy with each place they suggested. We will definitely be recommending this South Beach secret to our friends and hope to return there several times in the years to come.
magnificent
by A TripAdvisor Member
My husband and I (Julian & Karen) stayed during the 2004 Christmas holiday for 3 nights, 4 days. We had unfortunatly made other reservations and then found all the bad reviews. I had such anxiety thinking we were stuck with them and our vacation would be ruined. Luckily, we were able to change our reservations to the Hotel Impala. We couldn't of been happier with our accomodations. The room was exactly how they discribe it on the web, even better. Soft mattress with soft linens, beautiful contemporary mediterranean design, and most importantly very, very clean.
The staff was fabulous! They helped us with numerous questions from dining to site seeing.
The Italian restaurant Spiega was fabulous. We highly recommend.
Overall I would say this is probably the most comforable hotel we have ever stayed in and I am extremely picky!
We will definitely stay here again!!!!
Thanks Ros, and your entire staff!!!
great
by A TripAdvisor Member
After 26 hrs travelling door to door, AA loosing some of our bags, delays at connection, and therefore arriving 6hrs late and not in the best of moods; the staff at the Impala were fantastic! As a hotel for a few days stop-over before moving on it was perfect. Clean, comfortable, good location, with very attentive staff, if this is all you are looking for then it's great. Many thanks to Ros for helping us out so much.
Home away from home
by A TripAdvisor Member
We have returned to the Impala for our eigth year. The manager of the hotel - Ros - runs the hotel so that the staff is there to make your stay as comfortable as possible in an invisible kind of way. The rooms are comfortable with beatifully appointed linens and elegant bathrooms. Just a block from the beach, you can enjoy all that the beach has to offer without being in the insanity that Ocean Drive guarantees.
The best on South Beach
by TripAdvisor Member kikoluv
We travel to Miami Beach each year and always try new hotels. But I dont think we will anymore, as we are sold on the Impala. While South Beach has no shortage of hotels, there is certainly a shortage of fine boutique hotels without the exorbitant prices of the Delano or Loews. This is exactly where the Impala fits in. From its perfect location at 12th and Collins, one enters this mediterranean style gem through a gorgeous fountained courtyard, thus allowing you to be close to the action but away from all of the noise that comes with it. Our standard room (204) was beautiful. Beautiful marble floors, cathedral ceiling, ceiling fan, iron bed, cd stereo, two large closets, and separate forced air heating/cooling. Not one of those loud annoying under the window portable ones. The gigantic marble and iron bathroom was a sheer delight. One of the best showers ever, just be careful not to flood the bathroom as there is no shower door. A delicious continental breakfast is served each morning in the Italian restaurant in the front of the hotel. None of the South Beach Groups hotels can even compare.
Every employee we encountered went out of their way to be courteous and helpful. From Jana who took our initial reservation to Leo who allowed us to check in three hours early, to Ros the manager who at check out made sure that we had a nice time, service was top notch all they way.
We chose this hotel based on its location and its website which is 100% accurate. What you see is exactly what you get. There are two parking garages each a block away where you can self park all day for $8. Much better than the usual $40 for valet at other hotels. While there is no elevator, it is a short trip up the stairs to the second floor, and the staff will carry your luggage up the stairs before you can say no. At $185 for the standard room, it was well worth the price. We carefully researched all of the other hotels in the area and chose the Impala, and the research really paid off. Be forewarned, they only have 17 rooms, and they do fill up quickly.
Thanks Ros, we hope to see you soon
Ricardo and Juan
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