YOTEL Miami — Hotel in Miami

I booked this hotel because it looked nice, close to Carnival Cruise port and also close to Brickell City Centre. I paid for the hotel in full way before my arrival, the only thing left to pay for was the refundable accidental fee of $75 that you pay at check in. Once at the hotel I proceed to check in via the self check in, the self check in showed that I already paid in full and my only fee was the $75, that I went ahead and paid at the self check in. I go to the front desk for my keys, the front desk guy stated he can see that I paid for everything including the refundable accidental fee of $75 but my room is not ready yet. He stated my room should be ready in about 30 minutes or so. This is around 2:15pm. At around 2:40pm I’m called to the front desk because my room is now ready. I’m thinking I’m just picking up the room keys because the front desk guy had already verified and confirmed that everything was paid for. When he gives me my room keys I get an alert from my bank that my card has been charged by Yotel hotel. I asked the front desk guy did he charged my account again, he said no. I showed him on my account that I’ve been charged twice now by them. He stated he doesn’t know why, that he’ll take my card off file and release both the accidental fee and the second room charge right now. He told me to wait until the next day to see funds back in my account. I went along with my day trying to enjoy Miami and then my room key stopped working when I got back to the hotel. I couldn’t use the elevator to get to my room. I go back to the front desk and now I would like to speak to a manager because first I’m double charged and now my key is not working. I seem to be the only one going through these issues. Pretty alarming. I’m in another state, what if the money they took from my card was the only money I had left. That is not right to do that to someone. Anyways, the front desk guy said the manager comes in the next day at 11am. The next morning I wake up, no refund in my account. It’s time to check out at 11am, I ask to speak to the manager. I was told there’s notes on my account, the manager has been informed and he’ll be right down to talk to me. The female at front desk said she doesn’t want to check me out until the manager comes (basically they know they messed up and she doesn’t want nothing to do with it, understandable). I told her I do not want to be charged for late check out waiting for the manager, she said I wouldn’t be, the manager would fix everything. I waited 30 minutes, no manager. The front desk guy that was handling me the day before calls me over and said he’s going to put everything that was charged back on my card. ( why they couldn’t just do that yesterday? Is beyond me) Anyways, he proceeds to do so and I get another alert from my bank that my account is trying to be charged by Yotel hotel, but I have locked my card so the transaction is getting declined. I said sir you are charging my account not refunding it, what are you doing? He apologizes. At this point I am furious but trying to play cool in a public setting and no manager still hasn’t came to speak to me. The front desk guy ask me to tap my card one last time, he’s processing the release of all funds. I do so against my better judgement, great, no alert from my bank. He prints me out a receipt showing the refund/release of funds. He stated it should show up right away. It doesn’t. It’s Sunday, no money is going to show up right away. I stated if my money is not back in my account by Tuesday the latest I’m contacting my bank and contacting the establishment again. He said it’ll be back in my account and I’ll have the receipt just incase of anything. I have a cruise ship to catch so I leave. I would literally never stay here again. I wanted to get breakfast earlier in the morning but refused to give this place anymore of my money. I was so disgusted with the whole ordeal....

I visited this Miami location and went from being excited to extremely disappointed. I’ve frequented The NY Times Square location and I have to say Miami is lacking in all departments. Checking in was seamless. The room was spacious and very clean. Not such a good view. There was construction being done everywhere and it wasn’t an appealing sight. The staff is really where I have the issue. Our first night we ate at the hotel. Spend $85 on appetizers and 2 cocktails and a ginger ale. It was happy hour but the dig is they take a mandatory 20% tip. I normally do 18% especially if there were no entrees ordered. That was a bit much for wings, calamari and cold fries. The following day I went to concierge to inquire about a promotion placed on our beds regarding no housekeeping. It’s a promotion where they give a $5 voucher for not using housekeeping during your stay. I was met with such an interrogation and push back over $5 that was an offer. The clerk Dwayne was under the assumption that I was ineligible yet never took the time to gather proper information about my reservation as he wasn’t on duty the day prior when I checked in. In the end I was actually eligible for the voucher but that interaction left a bad taste in my mouth. He was not at all hospitable. Even the fact that I approached his colleague yet he interrupted mid conversation with 21 inaccuracies and assumptions. For example I had a 2 night stay and was considering extending for 1 night. He assumed that I just checked in though the current time was way before check in time. The clerk I originally went to was aware because she checked me in yet Dwayne was so aggressive she didn’t even clear it up with him. He also stated if I already had housekeeping they would tell him as if I was being dishonest and begging for the $5 voucher. The 20% tip I paid for appetizers was more than that! Why would I be dishonest for $5? The nerve of him. I read that door sign thoroughly and was very clear and compliant hence the reason for my inquiry. Lastly, I visited the hotel restaurant once again the following day & it was very unpleasant unlike the day prior. There’s the bar a d then there are tables surrounding. I want a couple drinks from the bar but it was crowded so I took a seat. The bartender/waitress/hostess saw me take a seat yet proceeded to take 3 other parties that sat at the bar 10 mins after I sat down. I thighs it was a first come first served situation. But when I went up to her at the bar to just politely let her know I was seated she scowled that she’s busy and she’ll get to me “eventually” “at some point”. I literally watched her greet and serve ppl that came after me. I was being courteous by letting her know I was seated at a table directly across from her bar. The lady called her co worker and told her rudely in front of me can she help me because she can’t get to me “fast enough”. I wasn’t rushing anyone. I just think it’s awfully silly of me to sit and watch everyone served before me though they arrived after me! It turned me off. I was about to order food but I just decided against it. She finally acknowledged me in the end when I was paying my bill. I politely ignore her because I don’t accept bad communication and bad service. We’re all human and life would be a lot simpler if ppl knew how to comprehend effectively. I was never rushing her I simply didn’t want to be a sitting duck. So far it’s been quite uncomfortable with interactions but the room and hotel itself is superb. Very clean. I failed to mention the neighborhood is very dismal and filled with mentally unstable ppl. A lot of people sleeping...

I stayed on October 25th - 28th, 2023.

Pros

The hotel is located in a nice area downtown near restaurants,  museums,  walkable water peers, and Kaseya Center (Miami Heat stadium). Check-in and checking out  is pretty much do it your self. Staff will help if you absolutely can't figure it out the kiosk. Gym and pool area is excellent, and the views from the pool is breath taking, especially when the sun is going down. I wlaked from the hotel to the Miami Heat game which took less then 10 minutes. They provide baggage storage which comes in handy when you want to continue  exploring before catching your flight.

Cons

I purchased my stay on expedia for a Premium Queen, and was advised on expedia that Yotel will charge $112.00 after stay which is fine. The Queen bed felt like and looked a twin bed. On the day of checkout I type my information in the kiosk. Once after typing in your information they give a detailed list of fees and charges for the hotel. With my surprise my total amount for check out was $166.53.

The invoice stated a vela (Breakfast food) charge for $42.00 and a vela service charge for $8.40. I quickly discontinue my check out and wait in line to speak with desk attendant. I advise the attendant I didn't eat anything from the vela or the hotel and that charge shouldn't be for me. The attendant seemed confused about it but was able to remove the charge. I return back to the kiosk to complete the purchase and see the correct amount of $112.00 and had a receipt emailed to me.

I leave my baggage with storage and continue exploring Miami. While in Ross I received an email from Yotel Miami again. I check my email and open the second receipt attachment and see that they recharged me for $54.18.I discontinue what I was originally doing and walked back to Yotel Miami to speak with a desk attendant. I speak with a different  desk attendant but the desk attendant  who assisted me with the manner before was assisting  another patron next to him.

I explain to the new desk attendant  what happened and why am I being charged for something I didn't have. While the desk attendant  is investigating the original desk attendant who "assisted" me interjects the conversation.The original  desk attendant  stated it wasn't breakfast you had, it was lunch for a burger and fries.  I explained I didn't have lunch at the hotel and I don't even know what the burger looks or taste like.

Once again they remove the food charge and I requested a updated receipt which I received through email. On October 31st, 2023 I have not received another charge from Yotel Miami in reference  to the meal. Yotel Miami doesn't seem to have a good system on how they charge patrons for food services. Anyone can say a room number and it's not like they will investigate and verify that's you in that room number.

Besides my long personal con I would stay again. The area is excellent and the price at the time wasn't bad. I hope this review asisits with future stays.

My advise:

1.Check your statement before checking out.

Use the...