Doubletree Surfcomber Hotel

, Miami, United States
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Doubletree Surfcomber Hotel

, Miami
4 star

Rooms: 184

1717 Collins Avenue - Miami - Florida - 33139 - United States Hotel Website | 305 532 7715
230 Traveller

Reviews - Doubletree Surfcomber Hotel

Historical Traveller Reviews of Doubletree Surfcomber Hotel

Perfect mix of ammenities and location

from IcallBS
The DoubleTree Surfcomber is in the heart of South Beach, next to the posh spots and blocks from the noisy "club" strip. Ammenities were very nice. Rooms are small (as are all on SoBe), but had nice touches (summer down comforter w nice linens).

The whole SoBe scene is most suitable to: those in their 20's, w/o kids, and anyone not easily scared but substantial amounts of plastic surgery.

Filthy, needs better housekeeping, plumbing and some disinfectant

from A TripAdvisor Member
I stayed here for 4 nights recently and was most disappointed. The place was absolutely filthy and the plumbing needs to be restored, at least in the room I was in. I've stayed in better and cleaner Motel 6's for half the price. Based on my own experiences and other guests who I talked with while there, check this place out carefully before you stay there. It isn't what they advertise and needs an overhaul as well as professional management.

The hotel is not up to Doubletree standards at all and I am amazed they are allowed to continue to be part of the chain. To their credit, the overworked front desk staff tries their hardest. They should be commended for their efforts. But they cannot make up for a property that needs a major overhaul, needs more professional management, has truly filthy rooms, odorous carpets and guest room windows which haven't been cleaned inside or out in years (layers of dirt and grime and they do not open either.. another guest asked for cleaning supplies so he could clean his himself he was so disguisted).

The toilet overflowed 4 times not counting as I was packing to leave.
When it flooded the bathroom at one point, I specifically requested housekeeping clean and disinfect the room, replacing the bath mat, etc.
I also talked to the front desk manager who called the housekeeping manager to be sure they understood my request. But when I returned late in the evening, they hadn't cleaned up and disinfected the room as I'd asked them to - they tried to change the towels and tell me they cleaned it. Reason I am sure of this is there was hair (mine) on the supposedly changed bath mat, on the floor and in the tub. And the outline of the maintenance man's boot prints had dried on the dirty floor, and he specifically told me housekeeping went in after he did (he too was appalled they didn't clean it). Given this, I find it hard to believe anyone really cleaned it. Certain they didn't disinfect even though they knew sewerage had flooded twice that day alone. So at midnight since there was no housekeeper available - the hotel front desk manager apologized and said there was no one who could clean it - I had to ask for cleaning supplies and clean it myself. And then they had no disinfectant - what they gave me wasn't really a cleaner. There was no room to move me to since they were sold out. It was disgusting to try and clean it yourself, realize you couldn't and have to stay in the room till morning.

When another guest overheard my bathroom situation, he told me his room hadn't been well cleaned either and that dirty things had been left in it, too. He was disappointed and as a Hilton Honors member he was surprised this hotel was allowed to carry the Doubletree name.

People from Europe who had bought packages all seemed to have issues when their vouchers didn't include all they were supposed to and the correct room grade. In fairness, maybe that was an issue with the consolidators, but there seemed to be alot of issues at the front desk whenever you walked by (or were in line to report your own). Some folks had rooms near an HVAC unit where they couldn't sleep and they wouldn't move them. Appears this hotel does a strong spring break/college student business and is full for much of the break period.

As far as the pool area, the cabanas are just wretched and I assume will be renovated. They try to cover their use as a dumping ground for old equipment and chairs with striped curtains, but you can easily see it as you walk by since they do not fully cover. It is a shame as I think this could be restored and wonderful. The cleanliness issues extend to the beach mats and cushions - they need a good cleaning but at least you can put a towel over them. That is, if towels are available. There seemed to be a shortage if you didn't get there early.
And they are old and very thin - cannot absorb much.

If you decide to stay here the good thing is the location, next to the Delano and the RitzCarleton and an easy walk to the heart of South Beach. But I wouldn't do it if you didn't have to - look for a much better hotel. If you have to stay here do not pay more than $90 and think twice about it.

If they overhaul the property and address the cleanliness issues this could be a great value hotel.. But until then, be cautious....

Great Value

from armryan
We spend a week at this hotel in January 2004 and found the hotel to be a great value for the money. The hotel was clean, the front desk staff courteous and attentive, the pool and bar staff professional and efficient. Our room was clean and well maintained and comprable in size to other hotel rooms in Miami. This hotel is in an excellent location as well (it is on the beach and a short 10 minute walk from shops and restaurants). Plus, I really liked the fact that the hotel was not a multi-storey monstrosity with hundreds upon hundreds of guests. The smaller scale meant you did not get lost in the shuffle during a busy time.

filthy rooms

from A TripAdvisor Member
I was shocked this hotel was rated as one of top 10 hotels in miami!!??
Rooms were disgusting (stains everywhere, smelled like fungus + smoke), service was bad... only good thing was the pool area. There are plenty of good choices in the area for equal amount of money. I choose to stay here because I was a Gold HHonors menber which gets me complementry breakfasts and room upgrade. Even with the perks for Gold menber, this hotel was down right disgusting. Consider staying here only if you find a room under $90/n. anything more is a total waste.

Great Spring Break Destination!!!

from A TripAdvisor Member
A group of 8 of us stayed in two rooms at the Doubletree during Spring Break 2004. It was great! The hotel is located in the center of all the action, a few minutes walk from the clubs, all the restuarants, and it is right there on the best part of the beach! For a small resort fee of $7.00 per room per night, they give you towels, beach chairs and umbrellas and beach sports stuff. The sand and the location is beautiful and the water is crystal clear! The room is a little smaller than normal but still a great size. What I LOVED MOST was the STAFF.
They were very helpful in directing us to the best places in South Beach and even had us put on the guest lists at several clubs so that we could get in free and were given free drinks. They really hook you up. There is no questions about it. We will be back.

Fabulous but small, small rooms

from A TripAdvisor Member
Doubletree was phenomenal! Service was impeccable. Stayed for Miami Boat Show in Feb 04. Could not be happier. Hotel was clean, service was freindly but rooms were really small and little to no view. But we didn't care. They charge $20/night for parking. No big deal. Close to everything! Pool and beach were beautiful. Considering hotel built in 30's, building was maintained to highest standards. Also there were no vacancies anywhere in Miami South Beach in February '04. Considering hotel at 100% capacity we did not wait at check-in, valet, bell captain desk, bar, etc.....management did an excellent job with staffing at this incredibly peak time. Fantastic!

If all you care about is location. . .

from A TripAdvisor Member
We stayed here over New Years Eve. If all you care about is location, then this place is good. The location is very good and it's on the beach which is great. Be warned- the carpet in the hallways is disgusting! I have never been in a hotel that had filthier carpets.
This is a Doubletree?! The rooms are marginal as is the pool. The front desk staff was ok. Stay here if you want access to South Beach fun, but keep your shoes on in the hallways and don't come with high expectatations.

Good value reigns through highs and lows

from A TripAdvisor Member
My family visited this property over the Christmas holidays and found it to be in an ideal location and posessing great 1940s art deco charm.
We especially enjoyed the ambiance of the common areas, including the lobby, courtyard, pool area, and beach area. We would certainly stay at this property in the future.

The downside: The rooms are somewhat noisy, a white noice machine would be helpful. The bedspreads smelled slightly smoky although we requested a monsmoking room. The rooms are smallish- an upgrade to a larger room would be worth the money at this property. Most disappointing: the poolside cabanas are in very rough, unrestored, and unusable condition.
The hotel management told us plans were in place to renovate these cabanas into guest rooms. I believe this would take away the great period charm of the pool area, and that working cabanas would be a wonderful benefit, as the rooms are small and cabanas could be rented for a fee to add 'living space'.

Bottom line: we'll probably visit again.

Great for the $$

from A TripAdvisor Member
My wife and I were at the Surfcomber from 12/11 to 12/16 and our primary purpose was for Monday Night Football, Eagles at Dolphins. The Hotel was very nice for the money($99 per night). The rooms were cozy and relatively spacious for south beach. There is a resort fee of $7 per day that includes towels and laise(?)-chairs for the beach and pool. The beach is very nice. The food was OK. We had breakfast and one lunch. Food everywhere in SB is overpriced. There is a nice little lounge that is open from 4pm to 11pm. Talk to Patricia about Costa Rica and you'll be impressed. GREAT LOCATION. Inbetween the Dolano and Shore Club and 2 blocks from Loews. All the night life you need. Ocean dive is 3 blocks away and a very nice walk. Lincoln Drive is also 2 blocks away. This location can't be any better. We would recomend this hotel to all walks of life. Do not be put off by the hallways, the staff said they were replacing the carpet soon. Use the stairs, the elevators are small and slow. Those are the only negatives. Enjoy...

It was very nice!

from bhardy1956
My family and I went to the Surfcomber, prior to a cruise, and I myself stayed after the cruise, while everyone else went home. I was worried that I would have to wait until 3:00 PM to get a room, but got there at 9:30 AM and asked it I can at least get a room at 12:00 Noon, and she had one available at 9:30 AM!! Awesome, I was able to get a room right away and was out by the pool at 10:30 and at the beach at 11:30 AM - Stayed out under an umbrella for about 3 hours reading and relaxing (the cost was $7.00). Went back to the pool (the water was pretty hot!), but later I went to the pool at 7:00 PM and the water was wonderful, like a bath and had the whole pool to myself....and this was on a Friday!I really will come back to this place, and it is a good place to come prior to a cruise and after! My family was very jealous that I was still in Miami and they were cold in Michigan!!! I got a pretty price for the room and the rooms I think were really nice and not small at all. Pretty much the average size that I have seen at other hotels. (Aprox. $98.99 a night) and it is very convenient to outdoor cafes and the Art District - I got a shuttle for $14.00 to the airport the next morning that picked me up right at the hotel, and that is cheaper than a taxi, that would have been probably $30.00The only negative is that the shower didn't have real good pressure, but that was really a small thing.

Top Local Tips for Miami

Take advantage of what other hotels have to offer. Don't feel shy about checking out the bar and pool scene at other nearby hotels. Some only allow guests especially around the pool and the beach front, but others like the Ritz Carlton aren't strict about allowing people by the pool and by the beach.

TAXIS RIP YOU OFF I found out afterwards, but many local people told me that they take advantage of tourists because they do not know where they are going. Go with directions in hand! It makes things go easier when they try to argue with you.

Fixed rate taxi's from Airport Don't be duped by any unscrupulus taxi drivers.There is a fixed rate of 32 dollars from the airport.

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Other names for Doubletree Surfcomber Hotel

  • miami beach doubletree
  • doubletree surfcomber
  • doubletree miami beach
  • Address: 1717 Collins Avenue - Miami - Florida - 33139 - United States
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