Sofitel Miami Hotel

, Miami, United States
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Sofitel Miami Hotel

4 star

Rooms: 281

5800 Blue Lagoon Drive - Miami - Florida - 33126 - United States Hotel Website | | 305 264 4888
924 Traveller

Reviews - Sofitel Miami Hotel

2/10
Worst experience
Submitted by: Sathish Narayanan in 24/05/05
  • Age Group: 31 - 40
  • From: United States
  • Traveller type: Family Traveller
I came to know about this hotel when I searching on Priceline and expedia for my trip to Miami. The ratings were 3.5 stars on expedia and 4 stars on priceline and so I booked a room directly on their website expecting at least a 3 star experience. But it was my worst hotel stay experience. 1.This is the first time I was charged for parking in a hotel, $7 a day. 2. The lobby attendants didn't even help move our bags when checking in and out of the room. 3. The room was big (king suite) but was old. I would say it was ok. 4. They didn't even a bottle of water and coffee/tea in the room as a courtesy when you check in. Even a 2 star hotel has all these. 5. They advertise as free internet access, but charged $10. 6. One of the nights, when we returned to the room at around 10.30pm, we couldn't get into the room due to the electronic lock malfunction. It took 4 visits to lobby and the room, before they could send an engineer to look into the problem. My wife and daughter were so tired, including me. They didn't even offer a standby room to rest. They did after I insisted and complained about the service. And our baggage also got locked inside the room. We couldn't even change our clothes and freshen up. And this was the worst part of our stay in that hotel. In spite of all these fiasco, they never offered a discount or anything. Based on my overall experience, I would rate this as a 1.5 star hotel.
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Historical Traveller Reviews of Sofitel Miami Hotel

Wonderful Sofitel!

from Tigerlilie
Are we staying at the same Sofitel? We travel quite a bit... and have stayed at the Sofitel Miami a few times. We always use it as a layover hotel on our way out of the country via Miami, or to board a cruise ship the next morning. We have never had problems. Actually, I take that back. The very first night we ever stayed there a few years ago, the morning after we arrived the toilet wouldn't work, it continually flushed. They had maitenance up within a few minutes, and as compensation comped us with a free room service breakfast, which was really quite good! We have stayed in nicer hotels... but the Sofitel really can't be beat, when your talking dollar amount and location. True, it isn't a 5 star, but if you're researching hotels, just by the pictures, you showed know this is no Ritz, Four Seasons, or Waldorf-Astoria! Don't be so hard on the hotel. The bell boys WILL allow you to take your own luggage, we always do. The Shuttle service is quite decent (ask for the limo shuttle... it's a nice touch,) as are the front desk clerks. Some of them really go out of their way to make your stay comfortable. Our last stay in February 2005, they authorized my credit card as always, but I needed the money as we were leaving that morning. I wish I could remember the gals' name, but she went out of her way to have the authorization removed so we wouldn't have any issues with the cruise authorization. The process took roughly 15 minutes, and she did it willingly and with a smile! The restaurant IS expensive.. you definatly don't get what you pay for... but the bar menu, just outside the restaurant is about half the cost. I even think the food is better! Beware though... the bar staff can be a bit snooty! One gentleman has been there for eons, and must feel like he owns the place... and treats you as such. As for the rooms, they are nicer than most. Again, we are talking 4 star quality, not 5 star! We have never had a problem with cleanliness, or lack of supplies. We return to the Sofitel for so many reasons. If you'd like to see pictures of the Sofitel, visit our website at www.resorthoppers.com and click under the Bahama cruise.

Good pillows, courteous staff

from Putzer
While waiting for a plane home at a very busy march break, we enjoyed our short stay. Our third visit to this hotel and we still like it. The coffee shoppe "Le Patisserie" was as good as any in Paris with the only drawback being that it closes at noon. The pool is not heated and is too chilly for the winter weather. It would be fine in summer. Really nice amenities, great exercise room, lots of complimentary bottled water. The restaurant is expensive but great food. Free shuttle too and from the airport and to the Dolphin Mall. Walk to the grocery store, and fast food outlet nearby. Try and get an internet rate. The concierge can arrange anything and is always available.

ve ever stayed!

from texanfirst
Stayed there on March 18, 2005 with wife and in-laws in route to cruise. This is an Accor hotel which I found out is owned by the french. I did not realize that most of the employees were french, because the lots of guests staying in the hotel were french. I guess that makes sense because If I was staying in Paris I would probably look for an American owned hotel. Anyway, The service was lousy. The food in the restaurant was very expensive. Caeser salad was 14.00 , hamburger 12.00 and coffee five bucks and was not of starbucks quality. Waiter after taking order never came back... at all. Had to find another waiter who took our order again and when she brought it to us she never returned to check on us. Never filling water or Ice tea glasses at all. Hotel service was just as bad. No other restaurants' in walking distance from this hotel. Hotel charges Taxis just to to come on property so there are none waiting to take you anywhere. Windows are broken on back side of hotel and letters of name are missing. Same goes for inside. This hotel is very dated, furniture worn out in lobby. Needs several coats of paint to upgrade. Don't have a clue why it's rated four stars. I've stayed in Motel 6's that are better than this. PS no coffee maker in room either.

Never Again

from Onedor
Not even a child will swim in the freezing water of the unheated swimming pool. Waiters at restaurant were unfriendly. Food was overpriced. Beautiful lobby but totally shabby rooms. We tried 3 different room locations until given a room with two beds which we asked for in the first place. Not worth the money!

Sleep In The Lobby If You Ever Wind up Here

from A TripAdvisor Member
We booked this hotel as a "Four Star" property on HotWire. It seemed to have everything we were looking for in a one night stopover before
leaving the following day on a cruise; convenient location, shuttle, full service restaurant & room service. What sounded perfect was perfectly awful.

We flew in from LA, arrived at 9:30 pm, & (after waiting more than an hour for our luggage to catch up with us), stood at the designated area for the Sofitel shuttle.

After 40 minutes, a Sofitel shuttle did appear but it was traveling at roughly the speed of sound. This was remarkable insofar as the general airport traffic was all but gridlocked. Not to be caught asleep at the switch twice, we moved bag & baggage off the curb & into the oncoming traffic lane. Another 30 minutes passed & a second shuttle appeared. My husband literally stepped out in front of it. The door opened, the driver stuck out his head & said, "Bonjour, I am full." Well, he clearly wasn't full & after a brief but animated discussion, we took our seats on the van. As we drove out of the airport people were literally flinging themselves at our van. It looked like the evacuation of Saigon. The moral of the story? Forget the shuttle, take a cab. Not only will you get to the hotel with some sanity left, you won't be tortured all night by the anguished faces on those you left behind.

By the time we reached our hotel, the only food available was via room service. Thus, we did our fine dining on a chaise in the corner of our room, balancing plates on our knees. We preferred this over dining on the bed, an option which past occupants had clearly chosen. Remnants of their meals were clearly discernable on the bed skirt & spread.

As we drifted off to sleep, my husband asked if I would like the air conditioner turned up. I glanced up at the vent, saw it was covered with a black sooty film, decided it was most likely a lethal form of mold & declined.

Up early the following morning, my husband brushed his teeth while I
turned on the water to bathe. Much to my astonishment, the water from the faucet was distinctly brown. Well, distinctly yellowish-brown to be precise. And the deeper the water got, the more yellowish-brown it became. As hubby brushed away, I debated with myself the most tactful way of discussing this with him. I decided the conversational method was best. "Honey, why do you think our water is brown?" I asked in a neutral tone. Sauntering over, still brushing, he managed to mumble, "They must have lots of sulpher in it." "Do you really think all the water in Miami is this color?", I asked. This must have given him pause because he stopped brushing & called the front desk. The water was brown, he was told, because it had been turned off for "several" hours, the day before & there was "sediment in the pipes." OK. Fine. But couldn't they have told us that BEFORE we used the water? Afterall, they did tell us we might not have phone service in our room...couldn't they have thrown in, at the same time, that we'd be bathing in sediment-infested water?

We were in this property for about 12 hrs & overstayed by 11 hrs & 45 minutes. How it ever got a 4 Star Rating is now one of the great mysteries of the Universe.

Not Bad, But not good either..

from BigDaddyAndMan
Went to Miami in Feburary of 2004, had a good time but had some problems.
1. Expect to pay about 10 bucks a day just to park your car in the hotel parking lot.
2. As another user said, the pool was freezing. Sure it was the middle of Feburary, but it was 80 degrees during the day, and with a high class hotel like that, you'd think they could afford a heated pool.
3. The Hotel Resturant was nice, but very overpriced.

These are just a few things.. But there were just little things that bugged me. They would not allow you to move your baggage yourself so they basically forced you to use the concierge service and to tip them, they gave us the wrong rooms and the staff was overall pretty rude..
This was our first trip to miami. Overall, had a nice time at the beach, but if you are traveling with a family to this particular part of florida, I suggest you drive about 45 mins. North and goto Ft. lauderdale. Spent a day there and everyone was very nice. Hope this was helpful...

ok!!

from A TripAdvisor Member
We liked the Sofitel! Room incl. bathroom looked good. Ask for a corner room, they are spacy. Service was excellent at any time, concierge and lobby staff were very helpful always. Location is great, directly at a lake, 5 min. away from the airport. The hotel seems to be built in the late 70's, some parts of the lobby need some new furniture. All in all a good deal for roundabout $ 90. Only problem was that you pay extra 7 dollars per day for parking (with security, but there is no other parking space available, so you must pay if you come by car) and 10 dollars for internet on the room. Other hotels for less money offer internet on the room for free!

Average...Not as good as Reviews

from docbfree
Average hotel. I was disappointed because of some heightened expectations after reading reviews. This is a clean hotel, with small rooms, and above average service.

Nicest Airport Hotel Ever

from EmeraldSeas
My husband and I travel often. Usually if we stay by the airport, choices are limited to motel-type facilities being shaken by airplanes. The Sofitel changed our feelings about airport lodging. The staff is friendly, ensuite dining is offered, and room furnishings are casually elegant with a European flair. Our high floor room has a beautiful view of the lake and surrounding area. Although the airport is within close proximity, noise was minimal. Bathrooms are very nice with granite countertops and luxury products. The pool area is stereotypical Miami deco with a geometric waterfall. All areas are pleasing to the eye,

Definitely exceeded our expectations. We'll be flying out of the Miami airport a lot in the coming years . . . have found a hidden gem in the middle of airport hell.

Is this the same Hotel

from mikeee
We were concerned by some of the adverse reviews about this Hotel but decided to try it anyway as we were only staying for one night.
On arrival the door was opened for us and our bags taken up to our room which proved to be well furnished and confortable. At all times the staff proved to be polite and helpful. The hotel is not in a good location if you intend to stay in the Miami area but it is perfect for the airport. Breakfast was excellent.
I would rate this Hotel well above average for an airport facility.

Top Local Tips for Miami

Miami: probably the worst airport ever Leave plenty of time to get through airport and make flights ... especially international flights and international-domestic flight connections. I've flown in and out of Miami airport several times (not by choice), and in my opinion it is the worst as far as making air travel easy and pleasant. The airport is always busy with long lines, poorly laid out with poor signage. Also, airport personnel seem totally disinterested in helping travelers or making an effort to be friendly.

News cafe Go to the News Café on Collins avenue for breakfast or lunch. It is cheap and very good.

Restaurant of the Victor hotel in Miami Beach is fabulous very stylishgreat experience, and great food

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Other names for Sofitel Miami Hotel

  • sofitel miami airport
  • sofitel miami
  • miami sofitel
  • accor miami
  • Address: 5800 Blue Lagoon Drive - Miami - Florida - 33126 - United States
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"Worst experience" - Sathish Narayanan

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