Holiday Inn Coral Gables University of Miami, Coral Gables

It would be fine fine if they charged $49.99, but for $150+ a night it not worth it. The room I checked in at first, had wires hanging from the ceiling, and the second room had a heater that smelled like burnt plastic when it's running. The toilet run every 15 min, and the pipes makes noise when turned on. Believe me I work in the construction/renovation bussiness, and this place is just horrible. They needed to renovate 10 years ago, I have renovated hotel that where better than this place is right now. I left feeling like I got ripped off, I trid to get a refund 10 min after I checked in but they refused. I should have check the reviews before I book the room.

I have traveled to 49 countries and most US states. I have stayed in five star hotels, one star hotels, and hotels where no one would even know what a "Star Rating" was. Of all the places I’ve stayed, the Holiday Inn Coral Gables ranks as one of the worst. In January I stayed at the hotel for a week while I attended a conference at the University of Miami. The problems with this property are too numerous to mention (rude staff, noise, etc), so I’ll just share a highlight, which will give you an idea how uncomfortable and unsanitary this place is, and how uncaring and incompetent the management. In the bathroom of my room there was a vent in the ceiling above the toilet. For some reason, the vent dripped water. After having endured for a couple of days the water that dripped on my head while I was seated on the toilet, I finally called the front desk before I left the room one morning. They said the problem would be fixed by the time I returned to the room that afternoon. When I returned, not only was the problem not fixed, but I found that the repairman had removed the dirty, disgusting, goop-filled, bacteria-laden, vent cover and left it LAYING ON THE BATHROOM VANITY MERE INCHES FROM MY TOOTHBRUSH AND DENTAL FLOSS!! (See photos and a video here: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g34152-d120369-r29976295-Holiday_Inn_Coral_Gables_University_of_Miami-Coral_Gables_Florida.html#REVIEWS ) Needless to say I was completely disgusted. I called the front desk, tried to explain what had happened, and demanded that I be moved to another room. The front desk clerk was insensitive, impatient, and more interested in telling me what MY problem was rather than listening and resolving THEIR maintenance/sanitation problem. Long story short- Several other things went wrong during my stay (rude employees, terrible food, etc), so as I checked out, I asked to speak with the manager, Marco Mejia. After listing the problems with my stay to Mr. Mejia, he told me that he would make amends by giving me four free nights in his hotel. He said he would mail a voucher to me at my home address and promised that my experiences were not typical of his hotel. I returned home to Richmond, VA, but never received the promised vouchers. About a month later, on another trip to Coral Gables, I stopped by the hotel and asked for the vouchers. No one knew what I was talking about. I stopped by a second time, and no manager was available. (That’s one of the property’s biggest problems- the management never seems to be around.) Finally, during a later phone call, I was able to convince someone at the hotel to fax me the promised voucher. Fast forward to May, 2009… I called the hotel to make a reservation, telling them that I had a voucher for the stay. They asked me to call the HI toll free reservations number, which I did. I told the reservations agent that I had a voucher, and was told to just show it to the front desk clerk upon check in. Upon arrival, I showed the clerk my voucher, but was told that I could not use it BECAUSE IT WASN’T AN ORIGINAL DOCUMENT! Remember that I couldn’t get an original either by mail or twice in person, but had to settle for a fax. I was also told that for a voucher to be honored, the stay had to be booked DIRECTLY THROUGH THE HOTEL rather than through the toll free reservations line. Remember also that I had been told just the opposite by the hotel when I tried to book my reservation directly. Finally, I was told that I couldn’t use a four night voucher for one night, or two nights, or three nights, but that I had to STAY FOR CONSECUTIVE NIGHTS OR LOSE THE UNUSED NIGHTS. Of course I left the place in disgust. I’m now in touch with the Intercontinental Hotels Group, which owns the Holiday Inn brand, about this hotel. I love Holiday Inns. I’ve had great luck with them in the past. But this experience is enough for me to never stay at a Holiday Inn or Crowne Plaza again.

1. Extremely slow internet, slower than dialup. Your lucky if you can check the weather on it, forget about working. 2. Most of the ice and vending machines were out of order. 3. In need of renovation, falling apart. 4. Treadmills in fitness room were prehistoric, no cushion or bounce like running on cement. My knees are killing me. 5. Door to balcony lock not working. 6. TV reception was poor after it was on for more than 5 minutes.

My recent stay in early August of 2008 was interesting to say the least. My Ford F250 King Ranch was stolen out of the hotel parking lot. Upon reporting it to the police, I learned that this hotel has been having a rash of break ins. (this from the Coral Gables Police Dept Vehicle Theft Unit) I was able to recover my truck two weeks later, but the hotel was not interested in paying for the $650.00 of items that were taken out of the truck. They used to have a security camera in the parking lot but removed it "beacuse it gace a false sense of security" according to Marco, the htoel General Manager. They do have a security guard that is supposed to come on at 9:00PM but he is also responsible for the inside of the hotel as well. I would not recommend this hotel at this time, and the owners will not provide the necessaty security and accountablility. Try the Hampton Inn Dadeland of the Marriott Dadeland instead if looking in this area to stay.

Very friendly,helpful staff with a quiet, comfortable atmosphere. The central tropical courtyard around the pool is a destination to see and enjoy. Outdoor continental breakfasts on the veranda by the pool are very enjoyable. Location is ideal for us with a son at the U of Miami which is just across the street. U of Miami discount makes our stay quite affordable. Next to US 1 which makes easy access to South Miami-Coral Gables-Key Biscayne area.

We just stayed here for 5 nights with our three year old daughter while in town to see my sister's UM recital. We were SO impressed! We had requested a fridge in the room to keep milk for our daughter, and so when we checked in we mentioned it, and they just put us in a room that already had a mini-efficiency (fridge, microwave, bar sink, cabinets, etc.). It was great and no charge for the fridge, which we had understood there would be. The room was HUGE, comfortable, clean, quiet. Everyone at the hotel was incredibly helpful. Free parking was great. Playground steps away behind the hotel. Even though right on US1, heard no noise. Walking distance from TGIFridays and from all parts of UM campus and from a Metro station. Not really walking distance from dadeland or from Sunset Place, but could ride a couple stops on the metro to those and lots of other place if no car. Also, the free WiFI was easy - no problems - and SO great to have. They also have free business center where you can go downstairs and print if you need to (no free fax though). We went down to print an internet coupon for a local attraction, so this was very handy! There was a nice pool/pool area although we didn't use it. Two potential issues/problems. 1) The way US1 is laid out, you can't turn left out of the hotel and it is a bit of a pain when the road is busy to go down and turnaround. A minor inconvenience but worth noting. 2) This hotel seems to be the logical choice for visiting sports teams, conferences etc. If there was some big football game or other student event, I could see this being a party hotel. However, there were students there while we were there and hotel security made their presence known. Doors were often propped open, but the halls were not noisy. We were not kept up at night. So again, a potential problem, but one that did not materialize. On a big sports weekend though.. I don't know. Overall, HIGHLY recommend and will definitely stay again.

Centrally located, clean, comfortable, nice pool and helpful staff. It is right across the street from Miami University. Some of the students from the University dorm at the hotel but they no problem at all.

Very comfortable, great bed, good service, centrally located. Hotel staff helpful. Good free coffee, pool cleaned daily. This hotel is really maintained well. Parking could be a problem at times.