More about The Palms South Beach
Overrated and on the decline
by A TripAdvisor Member
We've stayed at the Palms 3 times now, March 2003, November 2003, and our last time, May 2004. We will not be returning anymore. Unfortunately, the quality of services, amenities, and overall atmosphere has declined rather drastically. The property is just as beautiful as ever, but the guest experience is just not up to par anymore to justify a $280 a night price tag. The front desk staff is poorly trained and unable to answer simple questions. The elevators are an absolute nightmare. It took us about 20 minutes to come down from the 10th floor to the lobby at about 5 PM on a Saturday afternoon. Service staff clog the elevators all day long. Housekeeping is sloppy, with no turndown service. The food is decently tasty but highly overpriced, with a hefty mandatory gratuity thrown in. Pool and beach service is indifferent. On two occasions we found nobody manning the towel stand, and no towels in sight. Management is elusive and complaints seem to disappear into a black hole, with no followup or satisfactory resolution. Most striking is the decline in staff responsiveness and enthusiasm. This hotel always had it's negative points, but what drew us to come back twice was the striking beauty of the grounds, coupled with excellent staff that was responsive and enthusiastic and went that "extra step". For whatever reason the staff has changed, and this has caused the entire atmosphere of the place to change, for the worse. On our first stay, we would have given this place a 4 out of 5. On our second stay, a 3 out of 5. But for our third and final stay, only 2 out of 5. The trend is not a good one, and we will try a different hotel on our next trip to Miami Beach, as there are a great many to choose from.
overall good time
by A TripAdvisor Member
The Palms is not too big or too small. It is a nice hotel with a friendly flair. The hotel is steps from the beach and the pool was great... Keep in my in mind the outside bar closes around 6:00 PM. I recoomend the Pina Coladas! This is kind of an international hotel... I did not meet any American guests maybe one or two. It is about 15 blocks from the excitement of South Beach.... it is a short walk if your with your friends. I wouldn't rent a car...there are tons of buses down there that run like every two mins. Skip the over-priced breakfast at the hotel and go to the Denny's next store...it is better food! There is a bar across the street very small that was voted one of the best bars in Miami check it out!!! The beach in front of the hotel had the least amount of seaweed comared to other beaches in the area!
I'll be back!!!
Money Well Spent
by TripAdvisor Member mrskelsey
(stayed June 12-15th 2004) The Palms was a very pleasant and welcomed experience in comparison to resorts I've stayed prior to my most recent trip to Miami. I took my husband on a surprise vacation for his 32nd B-day b/c he's never been to Miami. So pressure was on for things to be wonderful when we got there. The staff was accomodating. The resort was gorgeous. It felt as if you could retreat to a tropical oasis when ready to step out of the hustle and bustle of south beach. The art deco accomodations were in true miami form. Room service was delicious. Spa Toilietries were abundantly refreshed after daily usage. Last year I visited Miami with my girlfriends and stayed at the Lowes Miami Beach which is supposedly the best, most upscale place to stay and I had a horrible time there. Although the grounds at Lowes were nicely appointed, the staff were extremely rude, unaccomodating and the beach & pool areas were extremely overcrowded. Everything was overpriced at Lowes. I'd take my experiecne at the Palms over my Lowes experience any day. Only issues were we didn't know how often and how much to tip valet since we got our car sometimes twice a day. However we noticed at the end of our stay that there is a $15 surcharge per day for this service so I wouldn't tip as often next time. And we must have gone during wedding season b/c areas of the resort were closed off and innundated with wedding guests during certain times on the weekend. However, I've stayed everywhere in Miami from the Comfort Inn to Lowes Miami Beach and I would choose the Palms again if I ever go back.
best beach for family fun!!!!!!!
by TripAdvisor Member lizza
we just got back today 7/10/04 stayed 2 nights with my family had two rooms.. first got a great rate on line..paid half of the $220 on there web site..however things add up qucikly..$17 daily valet plus tip, $10 resort fee daily. Everything at the hotel is expensive!, however out on the beach to the right is a small beach stand with cheap soda/chips..talking about beach, this hotel is located on a nice beach with lagoon to swim in and a lifeguard station...lush grounds nice size pool..great hammocks, rooms are more 3 than 4 star attentive staff bring lots of dollars.
just outside the hotel there are lots of stores to get beer/etc ..south beach is not walkable(unless you really like walking)...get a cab or park one/two block over from ocean drive..
Oh by the we eat at bongos(own by gloria esterfan) and saw maria carey, will smith and p.diddy yes!! all in one night..maybe we were lucky as this can't be a common thing..then again they all have homes nearby on star island..
I love nice hotels and this one was nice 3/4 stars..
Loved the common areas, hated the room
by TripAdvisor Member Charmaine04
I recently returned from a trip to this hotel and here is a summary of my experience:
Negative:
1. The BEDS ARE EXTREMELY HARD!! In addition,
- you could feel every spring in the bed
- bed made sounds whenever you turn
- they used no fitted sheets only flat sheet
and a coverlet
- found a used Band-Aid in the blanket on
my first day --- Uggghhhh!
2. The bathroom is tiny, poorly lit and faux marble had the appearance of grime.
3. The pool is not as pictured on the Internet.
4. Room service was not very accommodating.
- When we asked to exchange coleslaw for
mashed potatoes in a burger meal, we were
told they could not exchange a vegetable for
a starch.
- In another instance, when we ordered a
continental breakfast, they forgot to include
danish and other pastry treats.
Positives
a. The hotel grounds are AMAZING!!!! I wanted tto feel like I was on a West Indian retreat and I got it
- The furniture was modern, exquisitely clean
- The ceiling fans throughout the hotel was a
constant reminder that you were in a
tropical setting
- The veranda / lanai had rocking chairs and
cedar and wicker furniture.
- The hammocks were extremely comfortable
and ideally located toward the back of the
property between the palm trees -- felt
very secluded and serene.
b. The food at the Dining Room, their main restaurant was extremely delicious. Also, friendly staff.
c. The bellmen were very nice and helpful.
d. The view front he ocean view room was incredible!
In summary,
- THIS IS THE PLACE FOR YOU IF you are in the South Beach area to party and do the whole beach thing with very little time for sleeping or being in your room.
- I CANNOT RECOMMEND THIS PLACE FOR THOSE WHO just want to relax in a resort like setting and unwind. While the grounds, pool and beach are amazing, the room is tiny, the bathroom is like a dungeon, and the bed is extremely hard. Believe me you will not be able to do much sleeping at this hotel.
It was okay- not worth the cost
by A TripAdvisor Member
This place is overrated. The bathrooms were tiny and the carpet seemed damp. There was some mold near the shower and bathroom ceilings. There is only valet parking available and watch your bill. There were unnecessary charges.
The view from the room was beautiful and the grounds were nice, but the curtains in the bedroom were dirty.
Average - would not stay here again
by TripAdvisor Member GREGGGENTILE
The room was fine. The beach incredible - clean and the beach staff very friendly.
My wife and I found the hotel staff rude and the pool much smaller than it appears online and in their brochure. Must be a camera trick!
The elevator situation is horrendous. Only two elevators that go past the 8th floor and you have to share these with the hotel staff bringing up luggage,linens, room service,etc. It also makes the wait for the elevator very long at times. I tried taking the stairs, but they reeked of garbage.
Also, not really within walking distance of the Lincoln Road/Ocean Drive area.
So Memorable!
by TripAdvisor Member Marti
We stayed here just before Christmas in '01. The hotel was undergoing a renovation, which might explain why we got a $52/nt deal from Hotwire.
Pros: Stunning grounds. Beautiful pool area, walkway to beach, porch and comfy seating (read an entire book on the porch, overlooking the parrot and gazebo); beautiful lobby and wonderful rooms. Seemed like a great place to have a wedding reception.
Cons: we didn't have a car and had to walk everywhere; the hotel is not in the thick of things and you have to walk past a less-than-desirable part of town to get to Lincoln or the better part of Collins. Occasionally we took a cab. In late December it was windy but still very pleasant.
Overall - a beautiful place but apparently the rates have gone up somewhat.
Sign in with Facebook
