Pros

  • Clean rooms
  • Across the street from the beach
  • Central South Beach location
  • On-site Starbucks
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Cons

  • No pool
  • No gym
  • Bad restaurant
  • Gloria Estefan's obnoxious self-promotion
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Bottom Line

Owned by Gloria "Rhythm Is Gonna Get You" Estefan, the Cardozo South Beach is across from the beach on vivacious (and noisy) Ocean Drive. Lacking a pool or gym, the Cardozo tries to compensate with a Cuba-meets-Serengeti-meets-Bhutan décor and a restaurant that makes equally little sense.

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Oyster Hotel Review

Cardozo South Beach

Service

The staff is polite, but guests shouldn't expect above-and-beyond service.

Every staff member I encountered was polite, but with just one employee at the desk (either singing to the constantly looping Gloria Estefan music videos or trying her best to ignore the muted screen), there's no one to pamper guests.

I did encounter an all-around runner -- someone who would sporadically carry bags and open doors, plus he showed me a few different rooms -- but I never relied on him being there. Most often, I was left to fend for myself.

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Location

The Cardozo is in the center of South Beach, the perfect spot to people-watch. Guests in rooms that face the street might be annoyed by all the noise.

On Ocean Drive, across the street from Lummus Park and the beach, Cardozo is beside some of the more sedate Ocean Drive properties. However, the scene nearby is of the novelty thong and eight-ounce shot glass variety, not the posh, couture-seeking set (which is about six blocks away in either direction).

As 1930s architecture failed to account for the Bikini-tini, the rooms don't block the noise. Guests in rooms facing the street can expect to hear traffic and cell-phone screaming at night. Still, the Cardozo is certainly at the South Beach epicenter. To say the least, it is in a premier, people-watching position.

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Features

There's no pool and no gym, but there is an on-site restaurant.

Lacking a pool or gym, the Cardozo's only draw is its location on Ocean Drive (although, this ignores its since-hip celebrity owners' kitsch appeal, worthy of a VH1 reality series).

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Cleanliness

It can be difficult to keep outdated Art Deco looking clean, but housekeeping is on the ball.

The Cardozo housekeeping runs a tight ship. Anyone who can keep outdated Deco looking like new (or at least not that old) deserves a medal. So many other hotels tend to appear somewhat decrepit one year after their renovations, but the Cardozo manages to keep the rooms, and even the bathrooms, looking clean.

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Things You Should Know About Cardozo South Beach

Also Known As

  • Cardozo Miami Beach
  • Cardozo Hotel Miami Beach
  • Cardozo Hotel

Room Types

  • Deluxe King Suite
  • Deluxe Ocean View King Room
  • Double Double Suite
  • King Suite
  • Ocean View Queen Suite
  • Standard Double Double Room
  • Standard Single
  • Superior King Room
  • Superior Ocean Double Double Room
  • Superior Ocean View King Room
  • Superior Ocean View Queen Room

Address

1300 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, Florida 33139-4210, United States

Phone

(305) 535-6500

Website

Oyster Hotel Review

Cardozo South Beach

Service

The staff is polite, but guests shouldn't expect above-and-beyond service.

Every staff member I encountered was polite, but with just one employee at the desk (either singing to the constantly looping Gloria Estefan music videos or trying her best to ignore the muted screen), there's no one to pamper guests.

I did encounter an all-around runner -- someone who would sporadically carry bags and open doors, plus he showed me a few different rooms -- but I never relied on him being there. Most often, I was left to fend for myself.

See More Service

Location

The Cardozo is in the center of South Beach, the perfect spot to people-watch. Guests in rooms that face the street might be annoyed by all the noise.

On Ocean Drive, across the street from Lummus Park and the beach, Cardozo is beside some of the more sedate Ocean Drive properties. However, the scene nearby is of the novelty thong and eight-ounce shot glass variety, not the posh, couture-seeking set (which is about six blocks away in either direction).

As 1930s architecture failed to account for the Bikini-tini, the rooms don't block the noise. Guests in rooms facing the street can expect to hear traffic and cell-phone screaming at night. Still, the Cardozo is certainly at the South Beach epicenter. To say the least, it is in a premier, people-watching position.

See More Location

Features

There's no pool and no gym, but there is an on-site restaurant.

Lacking a pool or gym, the Cardozo's only draw is its location on Ocean Drive (although, this ignores its since-hip celebrity owners' kitsch appeal, worthy of a VH1 reality series).

See More Features

Cleanliness

It can be difficult to keep outdated Art Deco looking clean, but housekeeping is on the ball.

The Cardozo housekeeping runs a tight ship. Anyone who can keep outdated Deco looking like new (or at least not that old) deserves a medal. So many other hotels tend to appear somewhat decrepit one year after their renovations, but the Cardozo manages to keep the rooms, and even the bathrooms, looking clean.

See More Cleanliness

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Babysitting Services

  • Basic Television

  • Beach

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Mini Bar (with liquor)

  • Pets Allowed

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Rental Car Service Desk Onsite

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Smoking Rooms Available

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.