I was under the impression that the hotel had been...

I was under the impression that the hotel had been renovated, but that cannot be the case, as most surfaces and furnishings are scratched, nicked, and beaten. The bed and pillows are of the lumpiest, lowest quality I have suffered in any hotel in a long time, including much more simple places. Doors to other rooms slam and the whole floor shakes, housekeeping staff shouts up and down the hallway, while their carts linger much of the day outside the rooms. Staff at the restaurant is equally as unimpressive, at least at breakfast. The check in was not easy. What remains is a great location and wonderful views (and, if/when renovated, sizable rooms). The Mandarin Miami suffers by comparison to other hotels in its category, even in notoriously low-service Miami. For instance, the Setai is incomparably better in every way and, for roughly the same cost, a preferred option unless you absolutely need to be in Brickell.