Review: Royal Palm South Beach Miami, Tribute Portfolio Resort

how many trips do you have going on right now?

So you were "paid" to do this review? Maybe I am reading it wrong but I think I would trust the people on Tripadvisor/Yelp who are paying guests over someone being paid to review this product.

$30/night "resort fee"? For $3 worth of water and fruit? Who uses in-room phones anymore? And the fitness center requires an additional charge?

I find this egregious. At chain hotels where I have top tier and nearly everything would be free anyway, I always ask for such fees to be removed, and am nearly always accommodated. I have no problem paying for value. I do have a problem with being charged for something I either don't need, don't want, or otherwise would get for free.

Wow!!! Very Ikea style. Nothing appealing other than the location. Charge a $30 resort fee is just plain ridiculous. It is like extortion.

"Resort Fee" = No reservation.

If they are willing to lie to me about their rates, or are trying to avoid taxes by "unbundling," I will not stay at their property.

(It almost seems like a required review for taking the points: almost like you went looking for the cheapest option you could find, to justify using the payment for something else. Not to your usual standard.)

Wonder what is going to happen with the SPG Amex Stars program when Marriott takes over?

And will Tribute Portfolio survive?

Nothing appealing other than the location.

And the price.

@patrick, are you reading a different blog entry? Lucky sayz: "I booked two nights there over Christmas, at the rate of 16,000 Starpoints per night." Last time I estimated that is valued at $400 per night.

So, where did you come up with this assumption: "I would trust the people on Tripadvisor/Yelp who are paying guests over someone being paid to review this product."

You either reading it wrong or partially!

When do we start gossiping about all the Starwood and Marriott brands, and which survive the merger?

Plus Tribute, Design, Luxury Collection, and the Caesar's partnership.

So many brands to manage.

Of 30+ Marriott/Starwood brands, Tribute is the most likely to go (folded into Autograph)

@ Kalboz - at the very top, this what I see.

Full disclosure: This experience was in conjunction with the SPG Amex Stars program I’m participating in, courtesy of the Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express. They covered the cost of my two stay at the Royal Palm South Beach Miami, which is a Tribute Portfolio Resort.

I had a decidedly different impression while staying here. Coincidentally, I think I stayed in the same room as you. While the room view was pretty unbeatable, the rest of the room, including the tile floors, lack of desk, and no individual bathroom amenities left a lot to be desired. Plus, I didn't think service here was particularly that good, either. A link to my TripAdvisor review is included as a link with my username.

This hotel is crap - even if you were paid to stay here

It looks like a good Americana holiday hotel. By the way, why did you skip TR's ?

Wow. The tan lady in the pink shorts in the picture of the hallway leading to the elevator looks beautiful, at least judging by her tan and, umm, butt. I hope her face is just as pretty as her rear end.

While I get you're trying to downplay expectations here this is a very, very weak hotel that is way, way overpriced. Maybe $150 but certainly nothing more than that. It doesn't even look like an in-room coffeemaker is provided. What about breakfast? Or slippers? Or a robe?

And what about the beach? You didn't post any pictures of the towels or chairs that you are guaranteed with the resort fee.

By the way, Gilchrist & Soames is a faux British brand that's actually made in Indiana.

One more thing. Do you get any SPG platinum benefits at a Tribute property?

And look at how filthy the grouting is between the bathroom tiles.

Good review. I stayed here for one night in June on a BRG. I had a room basically like yours (with no view).

My biggest beef was that the beach service/basket started at noon, conveniently when check-out was, so there was no time to enjoy it. That was really disappointing. However, I did get two drinks with my resort fee as well.

I stayed here the week after it converted over to Starwood, even before it was a "Tribute" property. The location was perfect, I enjoyed our suite (it included a separate small living room and dining table), and the service provided by the beach attendants was great. Otherwise, I was underwhelmed by the service and lack of status recognition, although some of that was likely due to the very recent switch to Starwood. I also thought the resort fee on top of extremely high parking rates was pretty crazy.

I would probably return, but only after checking rates at the W and Aloft.

I stayed here for one night in early December. There was a connecting room where at least 3 guys were staying and they were chatting and playing loud music until 1am, so it was impossible to sleep before then. The noise started again at 5am when they returned from partying. I liked the quirkiness and the location of the hotel, but you run the risk of having your sleep ruined! I couldn't be bothered to complain about the noise since it was just one night, but certainly won't stay there again.