Hotel By Hosp — Hotel in Fort Lauderdale

I will preface this review by noting that I am retired from a position as regional director for a large hotel chain, so I can be a bit picky on hotel reviews. So, here goes...

My experience with the Elita started out poorly... so poorly, in fact, that I thought it might have been a scam. I arrived in Ft Lauderdale late in the afternoon on the day before I planned on staying at Elita (I had a reservation away from the beach for that night). I knew that check-in was at 3 pm, but thought I'd call the Elita to see if an early check-in on my arrival day might be possible. The number on my reservation (which I made directly with them, not through AirBnB) appeared to be non working and would not connect. Concerned, I looked up other numbers for the hotel but, aside from getting a recording to leave a message, none were answered. I emailed, but did not receive a reply. Bad start, right? It gets worse.

Very concerned that I might have been scammed, I took an Uber from the hotel I was at to the Elita to see what it was like. First impressions were not good. The lobby door was locked, and had a sign to go to the office of their affiliated motel down the street. When I got there, two signs struck me. The first stated that the office was open from 9am to 4pm, and the second advised me to contact AirBnB... since I booked directly with the hotel website, and not with AirBnB, that wasn't a solution for me. I was more worried than ever when I encountered a few guests of the hotel who told me of their woes. Needless to say, I didn't sleep well that night because I thought I was scammed.

A new day: the next morning, I headed down to the Elita to see what was going on. Now, things changed for the better. Their manager, Nicole, greeted me with a smile and an understanding of hospitality that was truly welcome. She's amazing! She told me that my room was not yet ready but gave me the codes to open the main gate (locked and requires a code), along with a code to open a small locked storage space there. She said I could check back in a few hours to see if my room was ready earlier than usual check in time, and it was.

Now it gets really good: the room was really well appointed, comfortable, and spotlessly clean, and included a small refrigerator and locking safe. The shower had good water pressure and heated up right away. The pool was inviting, and the public areas were really welcoming. This is an old property among new ones, but it has a certain appeal that the mega hotels lack.

There are a few things that could be improved, starting with ways to contact the hotel pre-arrival. The luggage storage room was welcome, but since it is shared, the security is not exactly secure. There are good bath amenities, but they should add cups ( available in the common room downstairs, but missing in the guestroom). Since the main gate to get into the common area is locked and requires a code, there are no lights for guests to see the push button lock after it gets dark (many of us struggled, juggling cell phone flashlight and pressing many keys) so just add a light. Finally, while the room door locks are digital (you're given a code at check in) there are no dead bolt locks and no security hasps/chains on the rooms. That's worrisome.

Would I stay here again if not for the helpfulness of Nicole and the nicely renovated room? Because of the pre-arrival difficulties of contact numbers that don't connect, unanswered voicemail and email messages, and unstaffed front desks after 4pm, maybe not. But, understanding that this is operating more like an AirBnB than a hotel, maybe yes. Finally, you can't beat the location (1 short block from the beach and ocean), and the price given its location. So, 4 of 5 stars overall.

Pro tip: If available, get a room on the second floor to avoid...

This review is rather lengthy, I apologize as I don't often leave bad reviews, But I wanted to make potential guests aware of what they are getting into. This is a Motel. It is NOT a hotel as listed. 3 stories and no elevator & all rooms are accessed via outdoors. That's a motel in my book. As were the cheap amenities and bar soap. We reserved their "penthouse". The rate was approximately $240 a night. The room was an average size, but very outdated and oddly set up. No sitting area, no full length mirror, no radio or clock, a small TV, peeling wallpaper, a door that had no deadbolt, & a small refrigerator, that was in the closet for some reason. They never cleaned the room on day 2, so on day 3 we went down to the office to inquire why. We were told that they do not clean the rooms unless requested, and it has to be requested twenty four hours in advance. They stated this had something to do with covid procedures. Seems like an overused excuse in 2024. As we were leaving the next day, we did not bother to put in our 24 hour notice. Every day previously, we had emptied our own garbage. Tied it up, placed it outside the door only to come home and still find it there. We put it in the dumpster ourselves. The "balcony" consisted of 3 chairs, no table, next to the roof and ac unit with a view ( if you can see through the overgrown palm trees) of their pool and the parking lot. Speaking of parking, It is very, very reasonable at ten dollars a day. I have handicapped parking so I was able to pull to their first spot. Right in front of their office door. Giving them a clear view of my car. On our last day there I received a courtesy call from the office to tell me my car had been ticketed. Reason, my back tire was slightly on the walk way. I had not moved the car since we got there on day one so they could have given me that courtesy call before the ticket! When I came down to move the car forward, The young woman behind the desk told me that they inform every guest upon arrival to be very careful of that as the Miami police department will often give tickets for it. I told her that we were not informed of that when we checked in and she seemed very surprised.I asked to speak to the manager about the forty dollar ticket, Seeking to see if he would split the cost of the ticket with me. I wasn't looking for him to absorb the entire ticket, but I felt that,If his employee was telling me I should have been told at check in then they did bear some of the responsibility. She got Giovanni on the phone and before she could complete my request verbally to him,He flat out denied it and stated it was my responsibility to know because it's written on the document that they hand you to put in your windshield. And I checked and yes, at the bottom of this small little postcard that they give you in very fine print, it does say to be cautious about where your tires are. Again ridiculous that they would not split the cost of this with me. Was not about the $20. It was about customer service. It was at that point that the nice woman behind the desk In a condescending, tone told me I should always read something before I sign it. I saw other people's complaints that were similar to mine on reviews. But I had stayed here 4 years ago with the same friend,and had found it to be cute. I believe they are under new management. My advice would be if you can afford it,Spend the extra seventy five dollars a night and go across the street to the Hilton. I have stayed there a number of times and it is a beautiful resort with impeccable service. If you have to stay in budget, there are a number of cute motels all along the beach. This place is definitely not worth staying at no matter...

BEWARE BEWARE BEWARE!!!!! FAKE PHOTOS!!! Not a review of the whole property itself but my experience with Ilona through booking with airbnb.

I have hesitated and pondered on writing this review as I was truly hoping that the host or AirBnB would have the decency to resolve this awful experience. I will leave a complete and honest review as I feel I am left no choice.

This property is listed as a two bedroom “presidential suite” which it most certainly is not. It is a one bedroom hotel room, with two full beds in the ONE actual bedroom, and the “master bedroom” greets you as soon as you walk in the front door..(?) You walk into a room with a table and a “kitchen”, a king size bed with a couch at the end of it. It is in NO WAY two bedrooms. The photos show a wall between the dining room and kitchen (not the dining room or kitchen in the actual room) with a tv on IT.. NOPE. The photos show a spacious bathroom with a robe hanging on the wall- it was not photo of the listings bathroom. The photos posted on this listing are a gross misrepresentation of the room, and comparing them side by side clearly shows that the photos posted for advertisement are a complete falsification and blatantly photos of a room that is NOT what you paid for.

The hosts cancellation policy clearly stated that if you cancel by 4pm you will receive a full refund. As soon as we saw the room we called the host at 3:53pm to cancel and she said “that’s only if you don’t check in, my supervisor is out of town for two days so I can’t let you know about a refund.” I alerted the front desk we were misled and checking out immediately, they called the host themself who responded to them the same thing. The host of this property has since edited their cancellation policy.

Airbnb was absolutely zero help. I realize they are a third party vendor, however I am appalled that they stand behind the fraudulent decision of this host to not honor their own policy of a full refund under their OWN terms, after falsifying photos for a listing they represent. This host blatantly took advantage of us - and of AirBnB - by trying to buy time before we reported it, and in my honest opinion STOLE from us as we cancelled within their own timeline and cancellation policy.

We stay with AirBnB often (at least 4 times a year) and I have never felt so disgusted with a host or my experience with AirBnB as a whole. I will continue booking with AirBnB as it’s not their fault, but save yourself the time, money, and heartache and DO NOT BOOK THIS PROPERTY. I have never left a bad review in my entire life and I honestly feel so bad doing it, but the booking agent gave me the opportunity to reach out before reviewing the property, which I did multiple times, and still refused to make it right. I hope others have a better experience as I’m out $441 for a one night stay in a “suite” I...