standardhotels.com
For starters, I can't recall ever writing a review...
For starters, I can't recall ever writing a review because I usually have a high tolerance for sub-par service but my stay at The Standard Miami was awful. So, it speaks volumes that I am even writing a bad review.
My friend and I walk into the lobby to be greeted by a front-desk staff member who tells me I have to do my own hotel check-in. My first unspoken thought was: "Isn't the point of your job to help assist me in doing that?". I had just gotten off the plane, I was up at 3 am for the flight, and the last thing I wanted to do was check myself into the hotel...I have never been asked to do such a thing on vacation anyways.
The staff member asked if I had received an email to prompt me to check myself in and I said I had not received one. He then made me stand at the desk for 10+ min just waiting for the email to go through. I never received one. The front desk staff member FINALLY began to check me in after I had to stand there for a good amount of time for the email that never arrived.
Our room was not ready which was fine, so we went to the pool to relax while we waited for our room. As we enter the pool area, I couldn't figure out where the staff members were to help us be seated. Tucked away in the corner was the cabana desk. I walk up to ask for assistance and they tell me that pool seats are first come first serve and that they weren't willing to help us find seats or help set up our chairs. I said "Okay" and proceeded to look for seats myself. Keep in mind it was 9:30 am and almost every seat had been "taken" by a shoe, or some other type of belonging.
I go back to the cabana desk and ask how long I would have to wait until they remove someone's belonging after not coming back for awhile (because they were NOT keeping track). I had a fit because they were so unaccommodating and rude. Finally they helped to assist us in finding us chairs. I get it, people wake up early to reserve seats. But the fact that the hotel staff were so lazy and rude was what got me. I didn't pay for this hotel to fend for myself with zero assistance. I made a comment saying I've never been to a hotel like this in my life.
It also would have also been helpful to know that this hotel was known for having a predominantly homosexual crowd. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that but when I book a vacation to Miami with a girl friend, we also vacation to socialize with a mix of people.
Lastly, I booked the "medium" room which was ridiculously tiny. It came with a little front patio but unfortunately, the outdoor lamp was broken so we couldn't even enjoy the patio at night. It was pitch dark. The room itself was musty, damp, and unclean. There was no space in the bathroom, and no toiletries. Not enough towels either. We could also hear all of our neighbors (talking, blasting music, etc).
The next day we decided to leave. I had initially went to the front desk to say I was not satisfied with the room and asked if there were any other rooms available that I could upgrade to. The staff member said no. A couple hours later, I came back and said I wasn't satisfied with the hotel/service and asked about a refund. The staff member was no help and said I would have to call Expedia. I called Expedia and sat on a call for 50 minutes. Expedia representative said The Standard wouldn't pick up the phone. (Not surprising). Expedia then proceeded to tell me I should receive a phone call within 1-2 days. No phone call. Terrible service. And the part that kills me is that the staff didn't have a CARE in the world about my dissatisfaction with their hotel. Any other quality hotel would train their staff to ask what was upsetting about the stay, and try to accommodate or at least apologize. I will never step foot at this hotel again and will never recommend it to anyone.
Oh, and let's not forget how I FOUND a LARGE PILE OF VOMIT on the floor/sofa in the hotel lobby from another hotel guest. Staff should ensure cleanliness. Gotta love The Standard Miami.
