Beach House Bal Harbour, Miami Beach

We stayed there for nine days and nights back in September 2006. The staff was extremely helpful. Everything was worn but clean. Yes the dining was expensive, but just a short walk to the Publix Market provided us with hot food side choices. Staff was there 24-7 for all our needs. Sad to see it gone now. [;(]

I regretfully took up residency at The Beach House between June 2, 2005 and April 8, 2006. My criteria was a convenient location- between South Beach and Aventura. The location is superb, but that is where any positive attributes end. I was promised a "long-term" rate of $39.00 per day by the General Manager whose initials are C.C.- the agreement was acknowledged via telephone and personally witnesseth by A.C. then "Director of Sales". As it tgurned out, I was actually being charged $175.00 per day and was served with a legal eviction by one of the largest law firms in the country. Turns out, the entity filing the eviction against me- never owned the Hotel! Now, almost a year later, I'm still battling with a new law-firm and the court system to try and be restored to my previous condition. The previous law firm was discharged for reasons that I can't reveal yet. The Hotel was scheduled for demolition about 2 years ago, so I thought- for sure I'd get the very best long-term rate. The service was non-existant! I paid housekeeping "on the side" to clean and replace towels and bed linens, valet would occasionally take my car for their own use, the room was worn and outdated- yet still functional, the bathroom was in complete dis-repair (I hired an outside plumber 2X to repair the head)Hotel management found it necessary to call the police and falsely arrest me too. So, I'm not to pleased to say the very least. BEWARE!!!!!

We had previously stayed at this hotel and loved it. Upon our return to spend Thanksgiving weekend, my family and I were extremely disappointed. The lobby, hallways and rooms are poorly kept and in serious need of refurbishing, which I know won't happen since it's going to be knocked down and replaced by condos. All the carpets are stained and one of our beds had stained sheets on them. I don't think our room was vacuumed the entire length of our stay. The staff seems to have an "I don't care" attitude. About the only good thing of our stay was that we had gotten a very good deal price wise. I think the Best Western down the street might be a better place to stay.

We stayed at this hotel following a recommendation & an excellent write up in the Lonely Planet guide to Florida. Valet parking staff excellent, although disappointed that this service & cost isn't mentioned on the hotel's website. Reception staff very disinterested, unless trying to sell a tour, guess that's because their on commission. We asked for a taxi one evening & while the receptionist did eventually get one, we felt that she had other things she'd rather be doing. Hotel restaurant not open in the evening, as so few guests & bar closed by 9pm one night & 10pm the second. Were we told, you've guessed in no. Still that's their loss, as we found some great places to eat at the Bal Harbour Shops. It would be helpful if the website mentioned that the hotel is opposite a Synagogue & therefore, several of the Surfside restaurants are Kosher. 2 meeting rooms are totally devoted to a new appartment complex they want to build & there is also a big area for this in the reception & adverts across the front doors. Maybe that's why the staff are the way they are. Our room was clean, but as previous contributers have mentioned, very tired looking with stained carpet. That said we had fantastic views across the ocean & the city. The gym that's always open was closed!. The hotel website shows teak pool furniture, but in reality, this is cheap plastic & has seen better days. The pool could also do with cleaning. The location is fantastic, but will we be returning, no, as there a better places to stay in Miami

During check in my credit card was not returned. Picked it up at the desk later in the day. Later found unauthorized charges on my credit card bill for the time the desk had my card. Location on the beach is great, rooms adequate.

The number one problem with this hotel is inconsistency. One person who works there is very friendly, the next flips you so much attitude it’s offensive. Mistakes on their part--like a missed wake-up call on a day we'd booked a tour and not having a room-service breakfast arrive at all--are often met with ambivalence by staff. The pictures posted here are NOT accurate. The chairs by the pool are plastic, NOT teak, the “lobby” and “screened in porch” with all that great furniture are now two massive sales rooms dedicated to a new multi-million dollar condo they want to build in the hotel’s place. A dying hotel on it's last legs and it's reflected in all the little things this place constantly screws up. Great location, nice pool and super beach, but you can do better. Trust me, you should keep looking.

love it great pool amazing service point is its the best hotel ever by so so so so so so so so so much and great rooms awesome

The atmosphere is great, very laid back, and beachy. Everything is Ralph Lauren in the rooms. And the food is spectacular. The popcorn shrimp appetizer is a must have. Everything that i've had there has always been good. It's very quaint, I'd give this place an A+.

I had a wonderful vacation with my family here. The location is great. The service was good and the staff very helpful and friendly. I was worried about the review I saw in the internet but when I came there it was the opposite. I will recommend this lovely and relaxing hotel to my friends and family. I'd like to mention the friendly service I received from the front desk guys and valet parking.

I won a stay at this hotel through a very reputable auction. I read the reviews AFTER I won, and was very worried that my trip was going to be a great disaster. However, it wasn't sooo bad. The food is really really awful and incredibly expensive (basically they just doubled the average price of a meal and made it such) The pool wasn't very clean either. The staff was actually really nice to us (except the relentless valet guys). For the money I think it was okay- right on the water is always nice. Just be sure you have enough money for cab- there is no where to go out, to eat or shop (except for an extremely high end mall) anywhere around. Good Luck!