Dave Huang

Review of The Epic Hotel - The River Lou...

This is the first time for us actually staying dow...

This is the first time for us actually staying downtown, most of our visits have been on beach front or Collins.

Pros: The property location is great, we had a premier room with a balcony and a view of the bay and downtown. The check in experience was nice because Alexandro actually remembered me when I spoke to him 3 night ago confirming the reservation. The lobby is small but cozy, the room has a large screen TV and most of the required amenities. The valet parking is not bad about $48 a night, much better than Chicago and NYC.

Cons: The hotel is dated, half of the outlets do not work in the room, the couch and ottoman are stained badly. The wall paper is peeling off, and there is a large shower with very low water pressure and no tub. The room is definitely not Five Star, probably barely Three Star. The hotel is part residence, the residence parking is on the same on ramp to the hotel lobby, it gets really busy sometimes when hotel guests and residents are coming and leaving at the same time. The hotel lobby is a bit hidden, it is just behind two little wooden doors. There was no doorman when we arrived so it was inconvenient carrying luggage and trying to open the doors. There was a doorman the next day around noon.

Update: First day left around 10am, put on the MAKE UP ROOM light, came back 430pm, the room has not been made up. Came down to the lobby and presented the issue to front desk, the answer received was "I will send someone to clean the room, but I have no idea when the room will be done". That was it, no apologies. We waited for 15 mins in the lobby, and they advised me that it is being cleaned. The entire thing took 40 minutes. Yes I was in 2109, for you so called management people reading this. And yes I took my bed tip back.

We will be here for 4 more days over Christmas, let's see what else we can find out. Restaurant and Spa are next. But so far my first visit to a Kimpton hotel has not been satisfactory and far from impressed. Anyone who said this location offers a Five Star service must have paid for a $1500/night room.

Now I am waiting for the hotel "owner" to reply to this post saying something like "Thanks for sharing your experience with us, we are sorry to hear about your disatisfatory to our hotel because this is not the way we normally operate, we are hoping that you will give us another chance when you return to the Miami next time...". Seriously, why bother to reply at all.

Reply to Kimpton Epic:

Hello Robert, thanks for the note and sending a bottle of Susana Balbo Signature Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 and the cheese plate. I think that is the free wine offered during happy hour at the lobby, never part take since there is always a line.

We are not looking for comps, we just want to give a fair review of the property and it's actual condition and services. There are no issues except for the late room cleaning the day before. Oh plus the bath robes have holes on them. The rest are simply facts. I am sure this doesn't happen to everyone but as you know there is always room for improvement. This is why I never said "I will never stayed here again." As a matter of fact, I would come back to Epic in the near future to see if your prompt replies to all of the postings are not just generic responses. I added another star for your prompt response. As much I would like to try out Zuma, the restaurant is fully booked on my wife's birthday, so next time. Thanks again for the prompt reply.