The Miami Beach Edition

Pros The Hotel: The entrance, lobby, bars, pools (especially at night) are breath taking. The lobby is full of huge plants and candle lamps which just adds to the charm and sophistication. Staff are all dressed in white suites, and are very friendly and helpful. Beach: There is direct access to private beach from rear of hotel. The beach side staff were very attentive and walked around with free water and towels. The beach area is great for relaxing, reading a book or listening to some music etc. as it is quiet and not super busy. Friendly staff, they knew our names by the end of the first day, which was a nice touch. Good facilities. I loved the gym, and bowling alley. 2 main pools with lovely eating areas and two bars. I only ate at the hotel twice. Once was a buffet style breakfast, which was varied. You have a choice of cooked breakfast, cereal, fruits or pastry. And another time at lunch, which was a pizza and I enjoyed both meals. Location, I loved it. It was about 15 minute cycle (on the hotel bike) to Ocean drive. Lovely restraunts nearby. Motek Restaurant is great for dinner (3 min walk from hotel) and Crema Gourmet was great for breakfast/lunch (about 7 min walk from hotel). Cons Food and drinks were very expensive. Ordering room service was sometimes slow or didn’t turn up until chased. Quite a few additional charges once you arrive a hotel.

I reserved a Standard King room and as loyal Marriott, Platinum Elite member I did request a room upgrade to either that of an Ocean view or Pool view Bungalow Suite. Prior to our stay, July 21st for one night, I received an email from Davis, Concierge team with a welcoming email. I expressed that it was my birthday trip and requested an upgrade. There was a $68/night resort fee that includes: 2 daily, wellness class offerings for 2 guests;daily beach lounger & umbrella for 2 guests; 2 hour e-beach cruiser bicycle for rental for 2 guests; something called daily 3:05 Miami Cafecito (some sort of coffee drink - we didn't use as I don't drink coffee after 1pm), Daily punch tasting at Matador bar for 2 guests; Ice Skating form 5-7pm (was closed); High Speed Internet and all we did not use as I have unlimited 5G and if I wanted, as a Platinum Elite guest already get included. I often feel that if one should be given the choice to opt out of the amenities as it felt inappropriate to charge those with whom did not use any of them. Aforementioned resort amenities and its fee should be a choice. Would've saved us $68 US dollars = $100 Canadian dollars!! Upon arrival we entered the lobby to the lovely scents of Le Labo, and to what I would want Heaven to look like - all white surroundings with lush green tropical plants being warmly greeted by staff. Just a beautiful, peaceful and zen feeling. We arrived around 2:00pm where we approached check-in being advised that our room wasn't quite ready so, we went to eat lunch at the Matador restaurant, which has beautiful ambience and a lovely view overlooking the pool surrounded by lush green plants. Mid meal were notified via the Marriott Bonvoy App that our room was ready. We were given Room 355. I believe we were upgraded to a Bungalow Ocean view King room. It was definitely not a pool view. This stay was a treat! The room was in what I believe the Bungalow (new) side of the building where the building was laid out in the shape of a U with one of the pools in the middle. Our room faced the ocean front however, we had as you will see a lot of trees in our direct purview. Thankfully we were on a high enough floor to see through the trees to the ocean. It felt very private and very quiet which we much prefer. I would recommend room 355, if looking for such. The room was not overly huge but was spacious enough for the two of us. The washroom was open concept with the sink on one side of the wall with a toilet in a closet like setting and the shower stall right next to that. The other side of the wall was a low profile King Size Bed for which was super comfortable. This is one of the reasons we are loyal to Marriott - the beds! The room had an oversized chair and had a very large balcony where we ordered and ate our room service breakfast. The trees surrounding the balcony appeared to house beautiful birds of Miami that we didn't notice until breakfast the next morning. Inside the closet were two lush robes including 2 sets of slippers. Also inside the room was a mini bar. A little rich for our blood. lol The in-room soaps omg, were devine - Miami Edition, Le Labo. In Canada, I have only seen Le Labo in the Fairmont Hotels albeit each have a different scent. I had my husband ask housekeeping for more soaps. I use L'Occitane at home. After my husband and I settled into the room, we grabbed our swimsuits and headed down to the pool to relax. We were not interested in the beach as we were heading out on a cruise to caribbean beaches. My husband much prefers the pool whereas I prefer the beach so, we compromise. As we were walking out to the pool patio area we were met by VIP Concierge, Sergio with whom was friendly, and welcoming. The pools were lovely, and were kept ok - could use a bit more attention to cleaning as debris was floating in the more shallow end of the pool, and was surrounded with plenty of comfortable albeit low, loungers. I'm only 47 and found it odd when I went to get up off the lounger. The pool area was pretty peaceful, and between the hotel and the pool area reminded of a Ritz Carlton meets the W. At the end of our day at the pool, we retreated to our room where I was beyond words in trying to describe how I felt upon walking into our room, to observe a gift bag with decadent and delicious desserts, warmly given by Lovely and Sergio in recognition of my birthday. I will say that the hotel, the staff including Lovely & Sergio went out of their way to make us including me feel special. Within the bag was a Miami Edition Candle that smells devine. I still have as I write this (Sept.2, 2024). After our return from dinner outside of the hotel, we walked around the pool area at night. The pool area was beautifully lit and the view from the balcony was beautiful. We again retreat to our room and we arrive back to another treat. Rose wine and a piece of birthday cake! I/we still hadn't had the other desserts. This was compliments of Davis, Concierge and he had put thought into the card - "Rose is for the Summer, it's colour is reminiscent of the colourful hues the sun paints with when sunset is coming to a close. Rose is for the summer and it's almost always summer over here!" We're from Ontario Canada! Just thee coolest experience all around!! The next morning was my actual birthday, and we ordered room service and it arrived accurately, efficiently and timely. I had the pancakes with my husband having an egg sandwich that came with home fries including and of course, coffee and all the accoutrements, enjoying such sitting out on our balcony taking in the view and the lovely birds within the trees. This hotel and the staff are phenomenal. I can't wait to one day return. It was heavenly! Thank you, Lovely, Davis, Sergio and to all the team with whom made our stay most enjoyable. FYI - I am a very picky person whereas I researched and reviewed many hotels in the Miami Beach area; And this hotel, had thee best reviews overall!!! I am glad that I chose this hotel. I think the Edition, is my new favourite hotel out of the Marriott Brand. Again, I am very picky and it was hard to find fault, not that I was looking. Book this place! I can't imagine anyone being disappointed!

Excellent facilities and excellent staff, great lobby great entrance hygiene level is great. Great facilities for children. Pool is excellent. The Kabana are amazing. Great food. personal or excellent specially, Luis do O. Restaurants are great. The bars is excellent very exclusive place for someone who wants to relax.