Howard Johnson Plaza Dezerland Beach Spa
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8701 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33154
Chain: Howard Johnson
Customer Reviews for Howard Johnson Plaza Dezerland Beach Spa
My trip - posted on 05/08/2007
The staff was very nice. But I went 2 days without seeing the maid service. And while taking a shower the water would go from extremly cold to scolding hot. That was aweful
worst stay ever - posted on 04/09/2007
poor service,rooms didn't get clean untill 4 pm.rude people at front desk. ask for remote contro to be fixed because it was broken it took 5 hours to get it done.1/2 of launch chairs at pool were broken
Dissapointed - posted on 03/21/2007
The picture in the hotel is deceiving. The rooms smelled, the pool was disgusting, the restaraunt in the hotel was the worst service i have ever had and they didnt have they food we wanted alot of times. The bartender told us that they do not make mixed drinks anymore even though there was a mixed drink menu. I would never stay again.
Dumpsters!!! - posted on 03/18/2007
Rooms on left side of Hotel are subject to early morning (5-6:00am) disturbance from the emptying of the hotel Dumpsters for about 20 minutes.Fluctuating water temp in Shower. Dis interested Desk staff.
Ony thing good was the beach - posted on 03/17/2007
we had bugs in our room and the front desk handed us a can of raid and told us to do it ourselves, dining staff was slow and rude, bathroom was gross, tiolets looked like public restrooms, water temp. changed while in the shower
Bad! - posted on 03/15/2007
Customer service was terrible. The place was infested with ants and housekeeping never cleaned our room!
This was my worst hotel experience ... EVER - posted on 03/14/2007
Hands down the worst hotel Ive ever stayed in. The staff is unhelpful and cannot/ will not answer any questions. They dont have bus schedules and their solution is you go outside and look for yourself to find out when it runs. The shuttle is out of service more than in. When the shuttle leaves you and you ask to be paid back for the cab (after you were told you would be) expect the desk clerk to call you a liar multiple times.This place is far away from EVERYTHING worth while in Miami except the beach. Stay somewhere else
do yourself a favor and DONT stay here! - posted on 03/14/2007
choosing to stay at this hotel for my spring break was a big mistake. there is nothing good to say about this hotel. the staff were RUDE and ignorant. The hotel and facilities were dirty and old and the location was a $40 roundtrip cab ride from south beach (where we wanted to go). i would never ever stay here again, no matter how good of a deal it was. it ruined the entire trip for me and my friends. do yourself a huge favor, and DONT stay here.
Needs Improvement: everything
Read this first!!! Please! - posted on 03/13/2007
The shower went from burning hot to ice cold in a matter of seconds which made it hard to take a good shower after being at the beach. There are only two ice makers in the whole building so if you aren't on that floor have fun finding them! Some beds are on rollers so you can't lean on the head board to sit up and watch tv with out the bed rolling out from under you.
I mean it's a Hojo. - posted on 03/12/2007
The service at the front desk is not the greatest, a couple of the employees are rude. The rooms are nothing special (it's a Howard Johnson). The walls are thin, you can hear anything that goes on in the hallways. Also the mini-frig cost money if you want one in your room. There's a shuttle to South Beach and to Aventura mall. It's probably easier to have a car due to the shuttle times. You can walk to Bal Harbor Mall if you're willing to walk (about 10 blocks). The best feature is definitely the beach. It's BEAUTIFUL!
DON'T GO - posted on 03/12/2007
This hotel has an awful smell, worse food, even worse service and the rooms, all three we tried, had bugs. This hotel is cheap, nasty and I would not recommend it to anybody.
neat decor - posted on 02/15/2007
Location is great. Close to quiet, private beach. Lobby and Restaurant decor looks great. Rooms are OK but nothing special. Food was OK but they were out of a lot of items that were on the menu. The service, in the restaurant was unbelievable, think the "Soup Nazi" from Seinfeld. I saw a couple sit at a table, with their food, and the waitress grabbed their plates and moved them to another table and then returned to tell them they couldn't set there. ALMOST funny. Rent a car, too far to walk anywhere except beach.
Super Sweet - posted on 10/03/2006
Waitresses actually run around naked and the rooms were completely renovated. You get a complimentary massage every night and you never have to tip anyone.
Got what we paid for - posted on 08/29/2006
The SMELL is sickening--lobby is cavernous and rather scary?at check in our kids went to sit down but there was a puddle of cola on the upholstered bench near the front desk and no one seemed to care. Staff are not even rude--just indifferent. Bathroom was tiny, no counters, not enough towels. Room itself okay but the 50's posters and car decor is really weird. Pool was big and fun, but dirty and worn. Hot tub didn't work. Beach great but walking out there barefooted would be a mistake. We will spend more money next time.
Very Nice place to stay - posted on 08/09/2006
I enjoyed staying here. The rooms were very clean. The staff were helpful. The pool and the beach were clean and quiet. A very nice place to relax or have fun.
rudeness - posted on 08/02/2006
Location of hotel was great. Right on the ocean with shuttles to south beach and area malls. Service at hotel was the worst ever. I called for towels since the housekeeper took all and left none. after 2 calls and 2 trips to the desk and 2 1/2 hours got my towels. At 10:00 am I was in the shower and the water was turned off -soapy i called the desk clerk and she said maintenace shut it off for 30 min. I sat soapy. Rude staff at pool shed, desk, and cafe!
was good, maybe years ago - posted on 08/01/2006
The attendants at night don't care if you're fine, the heating became dangerous (started to burn) the bed was cranky ( noisy) looks like this was a great place years ago and is not being mantained
DESCENT HOTEL - posted on 07/07/2006
My fiance and I stayed at this hotel for a week. The amenities were great. Pool, beach access, bar and lounge,internet acess. The rooms have no carpet and as a result the rooms stay muggy and moist most of the time. It had an odd smell and the bathrooms were disgusting. Staff was great, bartender was awsome. But overall, the stay was pleasant very quiet, not close to attractions but conveniently located. I would not stay here again personally but would definately reccomend this hotel to those staying a day or two, college students or those on a serious budget.
Excellent public transport but... - posted on 05/09/2006
Unfortunately, you could hear all the sounds in the room around us and some people were very noisy and I believe in some rooms there were too many people. The service was not great at the desk.
Stay Away From This One - posted on 01/17/2006
Floors were sandy in our room and throughout the hotel. No refrigerator, bathrooms were poorly lighted and dirty. Concierge was not knowledable regards bus service. There was no shopping or restaurants within walking distance. The pool and hot tub both were dirty; the hot tub did not work and was full of sand. The laundry was filthy as well as the mini golf. To top it off, the beachfront area was dirty and littered.
Needs Improvement: Cleanliness,Service
Where not to stay in Miami - posted on 12/22/2005
This hotel needs some serious work. As soon as you pull up, you notice how run down it is. There are only three ice machines, and none were working. The staff made it seem like they were doing you a favor if you asked for anything. We had breakfast at their restaurant, big mistake. What kind of restaurant doesn't offer toast? Overall, we were very disappointed with this hotel.
Needs Improvement - posted on 12/01/2005
The wait to check in seemed unnecessary (a lobby full of people they wouldn't even speak to until 3pm on the dot.) The diner food was actually decent and reasonably priced except for the breakfast "buffet" which was overpriced, with nearly inedible choices. Room was nice size but walls paper thin and had to move on 3rd day because ants moved in. The location is very tough and there's nothing within reasonable walking distance. Wheelchair access is nearly non-existent.
What we paid for - posted on 11/18/2005
In the aftermath of hurricane Wilma, Dezerland did a great job of cleaning up. A few thing did not work (ice machines, hot tub & some plumbing in particular) but is understandable since many laborers are working on the recovery efforts. Parking is a nightmare since they do not monitor their parking lot, we were "parked in" at one point. Our maid did a great job every day, and the grounds outside were kept nicely. Food was expensive, as were the drinks, and very limited variety. The money you save on this hotel is easily spent on daily fees and other charges.
Again?only if I had too - posted on 10/21/2005
Stayed one night. The room smelled of Pine Sol and had a distinct mildewy odor. The shower head poped off while I was showing. What a mess. Do it again?? Only if I couldn't find accomodations elsewhere.
Pictures are deceiving - posted on 08/10/2005
The hotel looks good on the internet and it is on the beach at a great rate. That should have been the tip off. The rooms are small and crummy and the hotel staff is not accommodating at all. The walls are paper thin and the area is isolated from shops or restaurants. The pool was dirty and the ocean constantly had stinky kelp deposits that made it disgusting to swim. My kids were disappointed so we spent as little time as possible at the hotel.
don't stay here - posted on 08/02/2005
The water changes from hot to cold.Yopu can hear everything from room to room floor to floor. Service is terrible and it is in the middle of nowhere.
Disappointing Visit to Miami - posted on 07/19/2005
The rooms are spacious and lovely . The resort itself is not very modern. It is very poor for handicapped people. There was only 1 working public elevator and most people had to chose to take the stairs. The food was expensive and not very good.
Perfect Location - posted on 05/30/2005
On the beach, next to a beautiful park. The rooms are basic but clean, the standard of housekeeping was excellent. The restaurant/menu needs improving. There are however plenty of places to eat if you can be bothered to walk 10 minutes down the road. The pool area was clean and uncluttered with plenty of shade. I found all of the staff to be friendly and cooperative and the guest laundry was a godsend with two small children.
