Le Meridien Sunny Isles Beach — Hotel Review Rating: 4.0 Pearls

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Oyster Hotel Review

Reporter: William B.
Updated: August 26, 2009

 Service

The staff is well-assembled and strategically helpful, just like the crew at any Starwood Hotel (the company that brought us the W, St. Regis, Westin and the well-known Sheraton brand). The hotel is run smoothly and efficiently and everyone seems willing to help when asked.

However, during my stay, I attempted to send an overnight FedEx package via the concierge. He obliged, but despite his pledge that it would be delivered the next day, it wasn't dropped off until three days later.

 Location

The hotel is across the street from a supermarket -- but that's about it. Way up in Sunny Isles, Miami's chichi suburbia, Le Meridien is a long drive from all the hip happenings (and about a $50 cab ride to South Beach).

The beach is much narrower at Le Meridien than it is 180 blocks south, but it's also exclusive to the high-class residency nearby -- that means there's always plenty of space.

 Room

My room, which the front desk described as the smallest in the hotel (a wonderful thing to hear at check-in), was indeed small.

The beds were well-kept and comfortable, and the charming stuffed beach ball (serving no real purpose) found its home on the floor immediately. Considering this, I reasoned that most guests did the same, and any desire to cuddle it quickly subsided.

The views from the balcony were remarkable, but it took three phone calls, 40 minutes, a screwdriver, a hammer, and two visits from a repairman to open it.

The TV, hidden in the closet, was old, small and had a standard screen.

The marble-topped bathroom, however, was plenty large and clean. Excluding the electronic scale's troubling read, I couldn't find any significant flaw (just some unmopped footprints on the floor and a fairly shallow tub).

 Features

Although the pool is nothing to write home about, it was clean during my stay. The bigger draw is the beach, which is just a few steps from the pool.

The fitness center is one of the best in Miami, eclipsed only by a handful like the Sports Club/LA at the Four Seasons or the David Barton Gym at the Gansevoort.

The classically Italian BiCE restaurant doesn't have the eclectic, global thrill of most Miami eateries, but that was just fine by me. (I needed a break from wasabi-crusted everything.)

 Cleanliness

The facilities feel dated (three hotel years equal about 20 human years), but housekeeping does its best to keep everything as lustrous as possible. I found some basic carpet wear, some smudges on the mirrors and some scratches on the furniture, but I was generally pleased with Le Meridien's cleanliness.

 Bottom Line

For a well-equipped beachside Miami resort that's nowhere near Miami, Le Meridien is a great option (even if the small, standard-screen TVs are a bit dated). This is especially true for families who want kitchen-equipped suites and a safe, 180-block distance from the scandalous South Beach scene.