BeLuLondon
Couples · November 202510/10
A short 5 night stay took us to a very sunny and warm Miami Beach, a long way from the 6 degrees cold back in the UK. That alone was a good choice. We chose the Tony Hotel, well located and walkable t...A short 5 night stay took us to a very sunny and warm Miami Beach, a long way from the 6 degrees cold back in the UK. That alone was a good choice. We chose the Tony Hotel, well located and walkable to just about anywhere in South Beach area with the main building at 8th Street/Collins Avenue.
Arrival during the evening, and a little excited, we found reception empty. We waited an unacceptable while for the receptionist to arrive, maybe only worth the wait to get signed in and along to the room as we were tired from a long haul flight. Not the Miami unfriendly welcome we expected and the hotel would benefit from a better Tony’s welcome! We were assigned to the booked Deluxe King Room in the Tony’s sister building with an entrance two minutes away in the plush Ocean Drive. The receptionist led the way to the other site whilst we lugged the bags down 8th Street behind him and through the News Cafe into the block. The receptionist left us there. Then we were up to the third floor room 335.
The room was very good. Spotlessly clean, large, lots of storage and sockets for charging. A large fridge. Safe. Large TV. Big bathroom and walk in shower. Robes and lots of towels. An 8th Street view (Ocean Drive views were way more expensive). This was a perfect alternative and the room was great as a base for exploring. The room would benefit from better WiFi which was weak most of the time and stronger shower water pressure. Otherwise perfect.
A walk back to the main building and up to the 4th floor was where we spent a couple of days at the pool. This was a lovely space to relax with ultra friendly staff. So relaxing here. And a sun trap for sun seekers. Comfy sun-beds with umbrellas and a lovely view towards South Beach. The handy pool bar and waitress service to the beds was most welcome with drinks, cocktails and food. The pool opens at 8am, breakfast available until 11am and snacks available until close. Happy hour here was a big draw after 2pm till 5pm with cheaper selected cocktails, beers and snacks. The pool area did get busy around happy hour times so I’d advise to get here earlier. For Miami Beach area with high prices, prices here were reasonable but did add up, remembering the difference for us UK travellers that the service and tax always seem to come as a nasty surprise!
The popular and historic News Cafe is gorgeous just outside the Ocean Drive building. A discount is applied here for Tony’s guests and the service and food is excellent. You are also not far away from 11th Street and their famous Diner which also provides food/drink/breakfasts from a massive menu at reasonable prices. The waiting staff only get a part of the service charges so we soon realised that a tip top up is always appreciated.
The concierge here was friendly and helpful. Always checking in on guests around the lobby area, a nice touch. Also the slightly later check out granted on morning of departure was helpful for a final relaxing breakfast.
Check out was quick and helpful with Juan. And we then had a valuable 20 minutes for one last drink from the hotel bar that was almost always empty during our stay but looked inviting. We waited along time for the bar tender. A manager went hunting for her and she arrived with unfriendliness as we ordered our final cocktails. We would expect better for the $40 two cocktail cost with service/tax. I would recommend that the lobby bar has attentive staff and lower drinks prices to attract more guests.
All hotels in this area have a resort fee. It’s currently $25 a night here. it includes WiFi, pool sun-beds, towels and service, and unlike other hotels, it includes sun-beds and towels at South Beach (Boucher Brothers area at 9th Street). This is a useful perk. I do recommend the hotel strengthens the WiFi signal in the Ocean Drive building (WiFi in the main building was great).
This historic hotel was art deco nice, and smelt nice. I think it looked nicer than many of the other art deco hotels around this area. Felt safe too, key card door and lift use with a night security chap looking after the Ocean Drive building during the late night.
Overall, we really liked The Tony Hotel, a few tweaks and the hotel would be just perfect. But it’s way good enough for us to return, especially with the pool and pool bar and fantastic staff there!Show More
