I booked as a friend of mine was also staying here for a conference. I called the day before arrival to request an early check in as I was arriving from Vegas in Miami at 8am. The lady I spoke with was pleasant and told me while there's no guarantee she will place the note for me so the front desk is aware upon my arrival.

Upon arrival while in line to check-in, a lady appeared and stated that she was actually next in line to check in. I obliged and allowed her to go ahead of me. She provided her ID to the Attendant and she was requesting an early check in. The Attendant stated that room is available, however, she will have to pay 50% of the daily rate which was around $100. Hearing that, my friend and I started to discuss paying the extra for the early check in which we both agreed to pay.

We proceeded to the next agent and asked about early check in and was immediately told no rooms were available. My friend stated that his colleague just told the lady standing beside us that rooms are available at an extra cost. His colleague initially stated "Oh no, she's inquiring about late check out" which was a blatant lie. We again stated that we heard the conversation then Cyrus colleague then told him to check for rooms available. Cyrus, the Agent stood playing with the mouse a few minutes and then reaffirmed that 1 room is available but it's reserved for someone who arrived at 5am this morning. I asked if he saw a note of my early check in request from yesterday which he confirmed he saw but insisted that someone else who arrived at 5am they are holding the room for. Obviously that mysterious 5am person was not on property as they would have already been granted keys for access. Cyrus then stated that I sit in the lobby and wait until 3pm usual check in time.

We proceeded to sit in the lobby and then at this point we saw the same lady mentioned earlier with about 2-3 bags looking at us as she proceeded to the elevator. At this point I became upset as I then saw some other guys with bags heading to the elevator as if they just checked in too.

Disgusted at the manner in which the situation was handled, I immediately contacted Intercontinental where I last stayed who confirmed that they have rooms available and can grant me immediate check-in at no extra cost, so I left. Of course, Intercontinental cost 2.5 times more than Novotel so this has absolutely nothing to do with money but rather a matter of principle and I am trying really hard not to call out the race card because this was truly how it appeared to my friend and I.

I'll NEVER recommend or attempt to stay at this hotel ever again!