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Hotel Hell

Loews Miami Can't Handle the Heat

August 10, 2006 at 12:58 PM | 0 Comments

[Ed. Note: Hotel Maven Dragon recently hit up the Loews Miami Beach which has been package happy lately. However, the place couldn't seem to handle an influx of guests recently. As always, this is one person's side of the story.]

I stayed at the Loews Miami Beach a few days ago...it was the designated hotel for a convention I attended, so I decided to stay there instead of the Delano, just down the block where I have stayed before.

I booked through AMEX travel services, who offered me the possibility of an upgrade if available, early check-in and late check out. Well, so far so good I thought. WRONG!!

On arrival, upgrade denied, I settled for a city view room. On to the convention, everything went fine until the next day when the hotel was hosting the HBO's Black Film Festival. Needless to say, the hotel was as crowded as I have never seen a hotel, and the staff was beyond desperate...no shampoo in the room, although they left three bottles of conditioner.

And the last day, when I phoned to announce I was intending to use my offered late check-out, all I got as a response was, "No one, absolutely is entitled to a late check out in this hotel" in a voice that was a mix of anger, desperation and sarcasm.

I believe they either didn't expect such a large turn out, or they were somehow short staffed. I need to congratulate the concierge staff. They were very helpful, although after getting some tips for dinner I still had to wait for over 20 minutes in a line to use the elevator...sad experience.

Related Stories:
· Loews Miami reviews [TripAdvisor]
· Loews Miami coverage [HotelChatter]