Courtyard by Marriott Miami Coconut Grove, Miami

While the staff are very friendly, most could benefit from more training. The hotel charges $30 for valet when you can park at meters literally across the street. The rooms are very old, with rattling doors and windows. Elevators, showers, A/C all poorly maintained. Wireless is worthless and only select floors are wired. Restaurant service is great, food is ok. Location is different, within walking distance of CocoWalk and a few waterfront restaurants.

We visited the Doubletree Coconut Grove for 7 days during the holidays. The friendly valets were always fast, helpful and courteous. At check-in we were given a warm delicious chocolate chip cookie unfortunately it was the desk staff that were stale. We reserved the parlor suite(Bayside), which we recommend for anyone with kids. Although it only had one fancy small bath, it was just perfect for privacy and plenty of room for 4 with the pull-out couch(bumpy), relaxing balcony, 2 TVs and a surplus of closet and dressing room. The best thing about this suite was the king size bed. This suite had the thickest of comforters with layers of high thread count sheets, just LUSHish after a long day! We did have Christmas dinner at the restaurant for 4, the wait service was exceptional. The Doubletree offered an abundant 5 course meal which was delicious except our over cooked filets($90 for 4 no drinks). Negatives: Daily $20 parking fee(you can order a credit card over the internet for street side parking), one main floor ice machine, no frig(visit CVS for a cooler), small pool and the FREE internet was slow. Positives: a very comfortable room and the location on the bayside. We definitely recommended walking around Coconut Grove during the day, you'll enjoy the abundance of sunny street side cafes and visit the exclusive shops at Coco Walk, Mayfair Mall, eat lunch at Monty's Seafood restaurant and Scotty's Landing (across the street outdoor casual food but great!) When you enter Coconut Grove be careful. When driving down new Douglas Road and Grand Ave the area is not too safe. You can drive through, just use common sense. If you enjoy shopping try Sunset Place and Dadeland Mall. Be sure to eat at JJ's Diner for breakfast(across from UM), Big Cheese Pizza for lunch and Walls ice cream in South Miami all off off US1 as well. Enjoy sunny Miami!

It's not what its made out to be and to get specific is not worth the time. I feel "not what it is made out to be" is self explanatory. In addition, which may help, hotel seems "old" and also did not like the fact of of not having a choice of self park or Valet. It is Valet Only. Breakfast held for business groups, very poor.