Kenya K.
Yelp
I booked my hotel room through hotel tonight, a fantastic app that allows to you book hotels last minute (as in Help! I need a hotel TONIGHT!) The app has never let me down in terms of the quality and pricing of hotel availability.
I was kinda iffy, because I know how hotels in Miami Beach can be, especially the closer you get to Collins Ave, Ocean Drive, and the Beach.. it's almost as if they know that people are so desperate to get close to the action, they are willing to let the quality of their rooms slack, particularly if you aren't spending big money on a deluxe room, penthouse, or suite.. (think thin walls, peeling paint, horrible dated decor and furnishings, and beds that have gone soft from overuse and are overdue to be replaced... like they haven't updated the room since the early 90s). Even then they are expensive. And what are you going to do? Find another hotel last minute in Miami Beach? They know they've got you and your money and there's nothing you can do!
Well, I have to say I am *pleasantly surprised* by this hotel. The room I received was as advertised. I got a "Standard" room, and it was clean, decently appointed, and just what we needed. Everything functioned as expected. Room was clean, bright, with decent decor, and decent closet space (for a standard room in Miami Beach). Staff seemed very happy, and they were all very helpful.
But the perks of the room!?! Fantastic. As the sister hotel to the Clevelander, you get complimentary instant entry to the Clevelander's patio party. You also get complimentary and priority access to the Clevelander's nightly rooftop party, and access to their rooftop pool. It's literally a 2 minute walk away. Essex House give you 2 Complimentary bottles of water (front desk offers you more all the time), a card for complimentary beach towels and loungers, continental breakfast, free WiFi at both the Clevelander and Essex House. Guests get 20% off their bill at the restaurant at the hotel. And it's walking distance to Puerto Sagua, Wet Willies, The Clevelander, Mangoes, and the beach.
Lobby smells good and at night the ambiance is so relaxing. To be so close to the action, it was quiet!! Shower was good, bed was comfortable, firm but not hard.
My only complaint is that upon closer inspection, I did notice A LOT of unsightly rust on the towel rack in the shower, I noticed tiny specks of mold on the ceiling in the closet, and the back corner ceiling has peeling paint. The hallway was very very dark, a little too dark, and smelled mildly weird (I didn't notice it after a few minutes). So they lost a star. Other than that, this is perfect little spot to stay!
(Oh, here's my booking coupon code for the Hotel Tonight app, it'll save you $25 of your first booking with them : KKING197)