Newport Beachside Resort

I spent 5 nights in this hotel (1x3 + 1x2); Good points: - the staff is very friendly (first time I even got a free upgrade to ocean view) - the rooms are generally clean (just within my expectations' range) - the beds are comfortable and bedding seems to be brand new; - the beach and pool area are very nicely arranged; the plastic deck chairs are for free (you can also try to use the unoccupied wooden beach lounges but wil be kindly asked to leave as soon as somebody reserves these) - the food choice on site is sufficient; there is a supermarket in the neighborhood and a food mart just across the street - the location is OK; there is also a bus stop at the hotel (both directions) so you could even reach the Miami downtown without having to use the car - executive suite I upgraded to during my 2nd stay was just awesome! But there are also things to consider: - the hotel is being renovated now; many rooms are just "clean but old"; It's not glamorous, but it's also not really disturbing (you will spent the whole day on the beach either, won't you?); - on some floors you will have to deal with renovation works. Hint: just ask the staff and they will check other rooms for you (worked for me both times) - there are some building works on the pier next to the hotel (but not really disturbing); - the self parking is across the street; it's only a problem on check-in/check-out or if you have a lot of luggage you want to transport to/from the car; but the parking staff is friendly - just tell them you have a reservation. - the price does not include Resort fee ($15 per day) and room tax ($1,95 per day); Resort fee (or the combination: room price + resort fee) is in my opinion too high given the current works in the hotel. But fair considering the free amenities. - the price of the valet parking on-site ($20) is ridiculous. The self parking ($15) is also a bit expensive (comparable hotels in the neighborhood have free or less expensive parkings). All in all I can really recommend this hotel!

Hotel was clean from the atrium to my room, but certain stairways going down from the third floor where I was staying that accessed outside, needed some cleaning up. It is an older hotel. When you book a room and you want a balcony like I thought I was getting, make sure you inquire first to make sure you have one. The web booking site I used implied balcony rooms, but my room was not one of them. I did get a renovated room on the parking lot side of the hotel which was renovated nicely, but the air conditioning was too cold for me even when turned off. A heat setting was not available on the AC thermostadt. There was no way to warm it up via opening a window (all sealed) or balcony door (no balcony). My room was lucky to be 72 degrees during the day with the AC turned off. I'm from Maryland, and I like my inside ac temps set in the summer from 78 to 80 degrees . I had a rental car, which I kept in the hotel cheaper non valet parking lot across the streeet from the hotel. This parking lot worked fine for me. The beach by the hotel is very nice and the sand clean, but the last week of August 1011 that I spent there included occasional jellyfish. There are a plenty of lounge chairs around the pool and outside bar area which bode well with me. The food was OK at the Coconuts pool bar as well. I never tried the inside restaurant due to a lack of advertising of menu items and specials. There are a lot of eating places within a couple of blocks North of the hotel, one of which was an Italian one that I really enjoyed, and frequented four or five times. It had a small band playing on Saturday eves. Hotel events were not advertised well at all. The hotel breakfast buffet restaurant was fine, but doesn't change its items, at least for the week I was there; so, I went to Denny's a couple of times for a change, which was a fair walk up Collins Ave. from the hotel. Check in was slow in terms of my room being ready. And a couple of hours later, when my room was ready, around 4pm, the valet who had my bags was nowhere to be found. I also had to return to the front desk a couple of times to have my room 'keycard' reprogrammed. I believe the memory strip on the cards are worn, and don't hold the key code after a couple of days. As a retired Engineer, I know magnetic strips used on the cards wear out. I flew into the Miami airport and drove North to the Newport on this trip. But if I did it again, I would use the FT Lauderdale airport, due to the traffic congestion I dealt with in Miami.

Over the years, I have had recommended many of my clients to stay at this establishment. However, my visit on February 04, 2012 was unfortunately a horrible exception. I am certain that once you are aware of what transpired, you will be as appalled as I am. Here's what happened: On Saturday’s arrival the parking lot across the street was full and we were instructed to valet parking at the hotel, it took about 30 minutes to get park due to an special event, the front desk agent at the check in stated that she will waived the parking fee; two hours later took about one hour to retrieve my car, even when we called 15 minutes before to the front desk making the request. On Sunday when my car was brought to me it was not in the same condition that I left it the night before, it looked like someone was throwing liquor all over my windows. I was trying to complaint at the check-out but the system was down and many people was complaining, since I am in the hospitality industry I decide to wait and then communicate the issues that I had experienced in order for the hotel manager addressed accordingly. I just received tree e-mails with the final receipt that shows a charge for valet parking that supposed to be free of charge not only for the inconvenience but because what the agent said to me at the check in. (Delivery what you promises to a guest) As you can imagine, the experience fell far short of my expectations. I also frequently recommend your accommodations to other travelers. I am not certain at this time if I will ever feel comfortable returning to this establishment. To be honest, it depends on your response to my concerns. Thank you very much for your prompt response. Sincerely,

Staff was friendly and accommodating. The location is great. Parking fee not fun.

My experience was unpleasant to say the least. There were people screaming in the hallways until late hours of the night. The elevators barely worked and they kept getting stuck. I had to call downstairs for a corkscrew FIVE times before room service CAME BACK (upon my request) after my food was already delivered. There were no room service menus and someone had to bring them up after I called. The internet went in and out. The highlight of my stay was how good the food was but besides that, I would not recommend this hotel to anyone.

The hotel informed me at check in time that they would be charging me $15 per day (4 days) for services that I may or may not use and of course I never used them but was still charged. They then gave me a fraudulent $130 bill at check out time for some outrageous fees which I absolutely refused to pay. Apparently they think their guests are idiots and will pay for anything they throw your way. I will never refer anyone to that hotel for any reason. They were horrible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had a great time at this hotel. The staff was great! The rooms are very clean. The drinks at cocunut grove was very fruity. Theres plenty of transportation outside. Only thing I dont like was the extra fees when checking out. I would go back again.

Dislikes -The hotel room needs a lot of remodeling. I think it was last remodeled in 1991. -I'm not quite sure what package deals were being sold but, I didn't like the fact that there was sales representatives trying to sell you a timeshares. -Jet ski rentals were too expensive for 30 min use. Liked: The service was decent and the vibe was good. I LOVED the fact that the beach was right smack in front of the hotel. Looked very family and kid friendly. The concierge/valet guys were funny, warm and friendly. Very accessible to stores/restaurants Room maids were friendly and hard working. Please be considerate and leave gracious tips; they don't make much in Miami.

I read reviews on this hotel and I chose to ignore them and think positive or hope that they were just rare bad experiences but unfortunately we shared many of the same bad service. *It took us 3 TRIES before we were able to get a room whether it was not the right amount of beds we requested or the key card not working... *Elevators are always BUSY and always SLOW *Additional FEES added a few hundred $$$ onto our trip! an example of a fee is a mandatory $15/day resort fee and parking... ect *The BEDS WERE HARD! *COST of food is not worth the quality you're given. Hope this helped... Good Luck!

very good and good situation, good hotel and personnal. I recommanded thios hotel