Hotel Riu Plaza Miami Beach — Hotel in Miami Beach

We’re a family of four, visiting from England, approaching the last couple of days of a 14 day stay as part of a British Airways holiday.

There wasn’t a huge amount of information about the hotels on offer on the BA site so we endeavoured to find more information via Google/ Trip advisor reviews. We were puzzled by the polar opposite reviews for the Riu, with mainly positive reviews scoring highly, but peppered with low scoring and at times scathing reviews. On the basis of the hotel’s beach front location and position near enough to the action further south via a short walk we chose the Riu and are so pleased with our decision.

We opted for a city view room which was spotless, has two generous and very comfortable beds with the benefit of twin sinks outside of the bathroom, ideal for a family sharing. There’s also a part ocean view from the window. I’m delighted to report that all staff I’ve encountered from reception staff at check in to the restaurant staff, household staff, maintenance staff and those servicing the pool and beach areas have been friendly, polite and accommodating. The restaurant staff always seem to have a smile on their faces, even during the times when they’re at their busiest. The man who checked us in always has a smile and a wave when we catch his eye walking through reception and the household staff have been so accommodating with requests for towels etc whilst our teens are keen to stay in bed and don’t want the room made up. During our stay we’ve had a couple of small issues with our room and both times have resulted in a maintenance person being with us within 10 mins and our issues being resolved promptly.

Many reviews refer to the poor lift service in the hotel. There are 3 lifts which, other than one being out of order for a day, have all been in action. From what I’d read, I was expecting some kind of substandard antiquated lift service. There is sometimes a short wait for a lift, but nothing more than a few minutes and, once you’re in the lift, they’re very quick. We did opt to use the staircase at times when there was a queue which works well if you’re mobile enough – not to mention burn off some of the calories from the buffet spreads.

We booked the half board option. Both breakfast and dinner are offered in the Florida restaurant with a choice of inside or outside seating – the latter with a view of the palm tree fringed pool. The choice at both was fabulous. Breakfast has a wide selection of fruits, cereals, pastries, cakes, cold meats and cheeses in addition to hot options including bacon, sausage and vegetable options as well as an egg and omelette station - and even a salad bar. Dinner options are as varied with different options throughout the week and a popular chocolate fountain with fruit kebabs for dessert.

The pool area is spotless and well maintained with clean beach towels available daily. A ‘mini’ beach area is available by the outdoor restaurant/bar and it’s been great to be able to access free beach beds and parasols on the beach itself with waiter service for bar drinks and food. I wasn’t expecting these beds to be free so that’s been a great added bonus of our trip. The hotel is located on a pedestrian boardwalk with an enjoyable walk in either direction and we’ve also taken advantage of the free trolley service to explore the area.

As a member of the Riu loyalty club I was touched to have a personalised letter and gift delivered to the room shortly after our arrival. I encourage people to register with the programme as it does reap rewards.

The only thing we’d change – now having seen the breath-taking view from an ocean fronted room and having room envy - is our room choice. If you have the option to stay in an ocean fronted room then go for it – the view is amazing and takes your breath away – it really is postcard material.

Thank you to all the staff – it’s been a blast and we’re looking forward to making the most of our last...

Let me preface this review with saying that I was on a family vacation and I reserved a full ocean front room, which had highest premium, for 4 nights. It was when I reached hotel, things start to go south.

1. The so-called “ocean-front” room

First, the check-in guy told me not to worry, I have an ocean front room (not the ocean view). We went to the room and it was not a full ocean front room but rather an ocean view room. The picture is attached of the outside view and if anyone is thinking of paying extra for such room, please look at this picture (not the one this hotel markets) and save yourself some trouble. I tried to reason with staff right away but no one cared and they kept insisting this is the ocean front, despite me showing them what they are showing on their website. Apparently, they call full front and partial front rooms ocean front whenever it suits them.

2. The room

The beds were pretty bad and worn-out as there was no support left. The sheets and pillows were also pretty old. The sink was inside the room instead of the bathroom so you’ll always have some water spilling in the doorway to your room. There were no toiletries included. The room had no coffee or even coffee machine. The door to balcony was kinda stuck sometimes but worked mostly.

3. NO soundproofing (literally NO)

The walls in the room do NOT stop sounds from adjacent rooms or lobby. I literally woke up 3 times in the night to the noise coming from lobby and other rooms. I could literally hear them talking all the time. Please keep this in mind if privacy is your concern.

4. Smoking policy (or lack of it)

The hotel was non-smoking which was important to us since we had a 20 month old toddler with us. However, I could smell smoke all the time I was there. In fact, I saw people smoking in their room windows and balconies. It really felt like I was in a motel in some downtrodden area. Please keep this in mind if smoking if your concern.

5. Broken shower

After spending that horrible night, the next morning we figured that the shower is broken. It could only work with hot water and cold water side was broken. I complained it and they said they will have to check and it will take some time.

6. The construction outside

There is a lot of construction going on outside and you may hit blocked traffic and road closure. When we arrived, it was a big mess of traffic in front of hotel. Please keep it in mind when considering this property.

7. The cancellation and checkout (cherry-on-the-cake)

After spending 380/night for a premium room, after the first night, we packed our stuff and cancelled the remaining 3 nights. When checking out, I got the receipt for one nigh stating that I am charged for one night and remaining 3 nights are cancelled. I got receipt for refund amount as well. However, they charged my credit card for full amount and it got posted. I had to call chase to dispute the charge and they’ll be taking care of it. To be honestly, I didn’t have a shred of doubt and I was sure as hell that these folks will charge me full. The amount of dishonesty and sheer lying that I’ve witnessed is not what I’ve experienced anywhere else. After cancelling, I moved to Marriott nearby with a full ocean front (the real one, not Riu’s fake one) and I couldn’t have been happier. Best experience so far.

To the folks considering this property and traveling with family, please go over this review before making any decision. I hope the upper management take this seriously and take steps to...

Tips and suggestions for visitors to make the most of your stay. A very detailed review of the room and the pool and the common areas. A few hiccups but excellent staff response!

Also, checkout is at noon! Which is pretty great!

Let’s start with the common areas. There is only one pool. It is large, but pool chairs are in demand, depending on the time of day. There are several chairs in direct sun, and then a few underneath some strategically placed palm trees and then a few underneath structures that have shaded awnings that retract and expand. The pool, unfortunately, closes at 6 PM. I’ve seen this a great deal in Miami Beach, and I’m assuming it’s because they do not wish people to get too drunk and rowdy, because… Miami Beach. The drinks at the pool bar are also quite strong, and I reviewed that separately. The pool bar is called the alligator bar. So look for my review there. A lot of unattended children, unfortunately, but that has less to do with the resort and more to do with parenting style. There is no diving. It’s really quite shallow. The grounds around the pool were nice. Lots of mature palm trees.

Rooms: the rooms were certainly serviceable; as some have noted there’s a little wear-tear around the edges, but nothing huge. A stain on the couch here or a tile in the bathroom cracked there, but nothing substantial. The shower had great water pressure and was large.

The breakfast buffet was in a huge room and had a good offering. I reviewed that Separately as well.

We used the concierge once to try to call another hotel for dinner, but he didn’t seem like that was his job perhaps? He wasn’t busy at all. I wonder if his job is to sell certain packages from other places. He said, “I could call or you could.” We thought he would have more intel about that particular restaurant since it was only down the street. For some reason they weren’t answering their phone.

The lobby is nice. It’s not as grand as some, but it’s certainly lovely and clean and spacious and feels elegant.

A big issue came when we were told that the business center was down and that there was no other real option. This is when I started to give this place two or three stars, because you cannot simply have the business center down with no other option. My husband decided to work in the room, and I went out to the pool.

What raised this back up to four stars was the attitude of the staff as we were leaving. My husband had an entire-day conference in a hotel down the street, and I really had no other place to be. I suppose I could hang out in a café all day, But then I’d be really hopped up on cortado! :) The Riu said that I could hang out at the pool all day if I wished. So my husband went to the conference, the bellhop took all of our bags, and I spent a luxurious day at the pool. This was unexpected and a real treat! And the person at the front desk who was offering, it was all smiles. The bellhop, too, was all smiles when we picked up our luggage at 6 PM. This type of service makes a real difference!

Oh, I almost forgot it is steps from the beach! So you simply bring your room card and they will set chairs and umbrellas up for you on the beach as well. Lastly, the reason there is a photo of my husband with somebody in the room is because even though he is a tech expert, he could not figure out how to work the television. So something was clearly going on. I think he was trying to merge One of his devices...