I was not impressed with this hotel either. NOT up to Marriott
standards. The room was very small, there was a divided
wall right when you walked in, that made the room even
smaller right up against the bed that made it hard to get your suitcase thru. The built in wall air conditioner
was making a loud knocking sound, as was the refridgerator
humming. I called the desk and they sent up 2 maintence men
to fix them, which took 2 hrs. I dont feel this should have been
done on MY vacation time. No other room was available nor offered to us to change.
Heard noise ALL night long from other partying guests till
3am. The bathroom was very small and outdated.
The pool was small and guests were smoking. If this is a non
smoking hotel, why are people smoking at the pool?
The attendant messed up our lunch order and seemed MAD
when he was told about it, tried to blame it on us.
Tried to get info at the concerige on what to do in Miami, but she was busy
directing the incoming traffic of guests in the lobby. NO help at all. Not at her desk doing her job. Would not stay at this
hotel again.

Well this is supposed to be a full service Marriott (with prices to match). I stayed for 3 nights with a convention. Notes:

1. Location is not great. Its nice on the bay but there is very little in walking distance.

2. Pool area is not particularly pleasant. Its kind of squashed in and the Doubletree next door looked much nicer.

3. The gym is small pokey and on three floors and, for the 1st time in many years, I opted to go jogging rather than use the gym. My knees still hurt!

4. The Internet didn't work in my initial room. It took a couple of hours messing around to get to the point. The hotel changed my room efficiently but it was hassle.

5. My new room had some stuff wrong but I couldn't be bothered to report it.

Its fine for a conference or a quick stay but its not up to normal Marriott standards.

I'm a Marriott snob and I was highly disappointed by this hotel. My wife and I stayed here February 22-24, 2008 because we were in town for the South Beach Wine & Food Fest. We try to stay at Marriott's whenever we travel based on our past positive experiences and their reputation. This was the worst Marriott we have ever stayed at.

As we arrived, we entered the parking garage which was disgusting. I know it's a parking garage but it smelled like it belonged in NYC (no offense). The parking garaged was disgustingly dirty. I know it's a parking garage but at least paint the walls so they don't look so gross. The elevator and it's fixtures were also outdated, smelled, and were dirty.

The lobby seemed nice, the hotel appears to be a layover hotel for cruise guests, airline employees, or business persons for conferences at the hotel. I couldn't imagine anyone staying here for vacation. The check-in was quick and we were upgraded to a bay view from a city view.

The bay view was gorgeous however I don't quite understand why all other rooms that were not bay view rooms had a nice little deck. The bay view rooms have a sliding glass door that leads out to a 3 inch faux balcony. This was kinda disappointing.

The room was also pretty nasty. The carpet was old and crusty and I actually walked around with sandals on which I never do. The television was outdated, no flatscreen here. The walls probably got pained over a couple years ago and look fine. There was nice crown molding by the sliding doors which was a nice touch. Now comes the bathroom from the 70's. The tile was old and not very nice. The bathroom and tub were also not very nice.

Pool was nice and heated, hot tub was good too. I'm sorry but not a nice Marriott

I enjoyed being able to see the cruise ships come and go from my room before my cruise. It really got me psyched and also a bit more prepared.

My room request recommendation would be for a room WITH a full balcony (w/table and chairs) on the cruise terminal side of the hotel as close to the water as possible on a high floor. Note: the rooms with the most expansive bay views - - which the hotel charges more for -- do NOT have balconies....although they have a sliding glass door opening onto a tiny railed-in ledge and those views are indeed the best.

The hotel was very accomodating to my need for any early check-in (10am) after my cruise, and a staff member told me that they try to be very responsive to this.

Finally, they have a self serve laundry for guests and a business center with pay internet access.