Kim S.
Yelp
BEWARE: The Nightmare That is BEACHWALK RESORT
2602 E. Hallandale Boulevard, Hallandale Beach, FL
As a seasoned traveler who has been around the globe, I can confidently say this was the worst experience I have ever had. From start to finish, BEACHWALK RESORT proved to be a masterclass in deceit and disrespect.
1. Deceptive Upfront Payment
I booked through Booking.com under the impression that I would pay at the property upon arrival, as is standard with most accommodations. But no--I was forced to pay upfront, $335 (for 2 nights), BEFORE I arrived. Had I been able to pay at check-in, I would have turned around and found accommodations elsewhere the moment I encountered their front desk antics.
2. Hidden Fees and Holds
When I arrived, I was hit with a barrage of undisclosed fees:
$60 in resort fees ($30/day) for amenities I didn't even use.
$60 for valet parking ($30/day) for a garage where you could easily park your own car.
$750 in holds on my account--$500 for the owner and $250 for the property.
No one disclosed these holds in advance. Not only did this leave me unable to access $750 of my own money during my stay, but I was also told I'd have to wait 10 days or more to get it released after checkout.
When I called customer service about the $500 hold, their representative actually said:
"You didn't need to know about the hold because it's not a charge."
Excuse me? A $500 authorization that I "didn't need to know about"? Completely unacceptable.
3. Mismanaged Check-In Process
Upon arrival, the front desk staff couldn't find my reservation. This wasn't their fault. In fact, they openly shared that this happens all the time and that nearly every guest has similar complaints.
I want to emphasize that the staff--front desk and valet--were doing the best they could in a clearly dysfunctional system. They were courteous and professional, but I don't envy them for having to deal with the constant fallout from management's lack of transparency and care.
4. Disgusting and Dated Accommodations
For the $335 upfront payment (which included a $120 cleaning fee), I expected a clean and comfortable room. What I got instead was horrifying:
A pubic hair on the bathroom floor.
Gross bedding that looked and felt unclean.
An AC closet housing an old mop, bucket, and toilet brush. Seriously?
Oh, and let's not forget:
No telephone in the room.
No body soap provided. Thankfully, I brought my own, but how does a "resort" overlook something as basic as soap?
The bathroom design was equally ridiculous. The shower had a handle on the outside but nothing on the inside to close the door. Clearly, no thought went into the functionality of this space.
5. Disruptive and Inconsiderate Practices
Housekeeping began banging on my door at 10:45 AM even though checkout wasn't until 11:00 AM. I was already rushing to escape this disaster, but they still managed to irritate me on the way out.
To top it all off, I waited 40 minutes for an elevator just to leave the property. Forty. Minutes. This was the final straw in an already abysmal experience.
6. Absurd Policies
The absurdity of this place didn't end with the fees. If you wanted to use a trolley cart for your luggage, you had to hand over your ID to borrow it. Really? Do they think people are going to steal a cart and drive home with it?
The True Cost of Staying at BEACHWALK RESORT
Let's break it down:
$335 upfront payment for the room and cleaning fee.
$60 in resort fees ($30/day).
$60 for valet parking ($30/day).
$750 in holds ($500 for the owner, $250 for the property).
That's $1,205 of my money tied up for two nights in a subpar, dirty, and poorly managed property.
Final Verdict
I have traveled the world, staying in hotels, resorts, and Airbnb rentals of all kinds, and this was, by far, the WORST experience I have ever had.
BEACHWALK RESORT is a deceptive, overpriced scam. I urge anyone reading this to save your money, your time, and your sanity by booking literally anywhere else.
BEWARE. BEWARE. BEWARE.