I stayed at Marenas Beach Resort in Sunny Isles Beach and had mixed feelings. Before my trip, the hotel let me know construction was starting next door and offered to cancel my reservation, which I appreciated. I chose to go ahead with the stay, but the construction was louder and more disruptive than expected. Support beams were being driven into the ground, and my ocean view was mostly blocked by two massive cranes—one of them a bright red crane directly in front of the balcony.
The hotel itself feels dated and could use some upgrades and a more thorough cleaning. My suite had a washer, dryer, and iron, but I had to request an ironing board—and the iron was in bad shape. The kitchen drawer handles were sticky, and during my stay the air conditioning went out. It was repaired, but the room didn’t cool down until the middle of the night. The bed was extremely firm; I personally prefer a softer, pillow-top mattress.
Most of the staff didn’t speak English, and while I fully respect other languages and cultures, it made communication frustrating at times. Most guests didn’t speak English either, which is common for the North Miami area, but worth noting.
On a positive note, the beach experience was excellent. Staff were attentive and quick to set up chairs and umbrellas. I do wish there had been bar staff walking around offering drinks, as that would’ve added to the experience.
Great beachfront location, but I’d wait for some improvements before returning.