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The National Hotel Review
Read our Miami hotel reviews. Or post your own.
The National Hotel 
$-$$$$, South Beach/Miami Beach
Fodor's Review:
Elegant and aloof, the timeless National Hotel is a dramatic and popular backdrop for the film crews that often work here. In the middle of the coolest block of hotels anywhere in the world, the National's gorgeous 1939 tower stands out and yet the hotel relaxes at its own pace, indifferent to what's going on next door at the Delano or the Sagamore or the Ritz. The most spectacular feature is the palm-lined "infinity" pool -- Miami Beach's longest, at 205 feet, and most beautiful. Add to that a private beach and hammocks swinging in the tropical garden, and you have an oasis you'll never want to leave. If you can splurge, go for a room in the poolside cabana wing. Rooms in the historic main tower are a bit disappointing and far from the pool. Step into the 1930s-style Martini Room bar and you'll be looking for Bogie. Pros: Beautiful tropical garden, stunning pool, and a perfect location. Cons: Tower rooms not nearly as nice as cabanas; neighbors can be noisy weekend nights.
Member Reviews & Ratings:
Parking Nightmare; Poor Customer Service
Posted by Christian from Los Angeles, CA on 8/15/06
Beware that this hotel is undergoing major construction on the only driveway and entrance to the hotel (on Collins Ave., a major thoroughfare through South Beach). Because Collins is such a busy street, you cannot even stop in front of the hotel to unload your bags. There are no signs directing incoming guests as to where or how to summon the valet. When we called to inquire about parking, three different employees could not tell us how to valet park our car. So with no valet option readily available, we had to park two blocks down in a meter and hike all our luggage through their construction and the Miami summer heat. Furthermore, the manager flatly stated that even given the difficulties with valet availability, he could not comp the $25 parking fee for our trouble. While the accommodations have very nice decor, the lack of adequate parking in busy Miami Beach and an indifferent and unhelpful management team make the National a poor choice despite its four-diamond rating. Plus, having to move your car out of a remote parking meter is not a relaxing or fun way to start your vacation in Miami.
INFO
- Address: 1677 Collins Ave., South Beach, Miami Beach, FL, 33139
- Phone: 305/532-2311; 800/327-8370
- Fax: 305/534-1426
- Web site
- Hotel Details: 143 rooms, 9 suites
- In-room: safe, DVD, VCR (some), ethernet, Wi-Fi.
- In-hotel: 2 restaurants, room service, concierge, bars, pools, gym, laundry service, beachfront, public Internet, public Wi-Fi, parking (fee), no-smoking rooms, some pets allowed.
- Credit Cards: AE, DC, MC, V
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