We’re living in hotels full-time at the moment. We’ve mostly been intentionally basing ourselves out of very empty hotels, but recently we had to return to Miami, so we decided to stay at the Hyatt Centric Miami Brickell, which I’ll be reviewing in this post.
Continue reading: Review: Hyatt Centric Miami Brickell
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
I don't understand why all of the hotel art consists of paintings of Havana, Cuba. Why not have Miami photos or paintings? It's not like the hotel is in Little Havana. Very odd.
If you don't like the crowds that visit Miami why did you decide to live there? No matter where you live you will always be surrounded by that crowd. Miami is US backyard for Latin America so the place will always be packed with people coming from those countries to shop, go on vacation, get to cruise ships, etc... Also, that is the crowd that you will share the MIA airport which I avoid as much as I can. Thus, not really sure why you picked Miami as a place to live.
I stayed here in December and was really underwhelmed. I had the same experience with other guests not wearing masks and/or social distancing. Plus, I found the rooms to have thin walls so I could hear lots of noises. I really liked the Brickell area but would never stay here again.
@ Santastico -- Because the area I used to live in and the area I will live in in the future are neither Brickell nor Miami Beach, and aren't overrun with tourists. You can live a very nice life in Miami and not see crowds on a regular basis, with Art Basel and Ultra perhaps being the two exceptions (and I make a point of leaving town when those are happening).
Why do I live in Miami? Because I love warm weather, I love how international and cosmopolitan the city is, I love the proximity of the city to the international airport, I'm close to family, and I like that Florida has no state income tax.
You are in Miami during spring break stop complaining about lack of masks. You choose to be there no one forced you to be there. Everyone in the country knows if you want to go somewhere where you dont have to wear a mask go to miami, you know this too. Stop complaining no one is forcing you to live in a hotel especially not in Miami. People are tired of covid, they dont care anymore especially if you are young and fit. If you want to live in a hotel with stricter rules i suggest not living in the one place that is marketing that they are done with masks. This one is entirely on you.
Hi Lucky,
I spent a night at Hyatt Centric Brickell two weeks ago and I had a similar experience, it was my first Hyatt Centric stay and it was fine nothing special. I try a different hotel every Saturday for a mini staycation to improve my productivity. So, I spent last Saturday at Hyatt centric south beach and it wasn't a pleasant night at all. The front desk was helpful at check-in but after that, I couldn't get anyone to help me with the internet in my room which wasn't working, I tried calling three times and even reached out to Hyatt team on Twitter but still no solution. The crowd of Hyatt Centric Brickell seems to be the same at Hyatt Centric south beach or maybe worse, elevators were always crowded and completely ignoring social distancing rules. Unfortunately, due to the spring break, it was the only Hyatt hotel available that day. I joined Hyatt loyalty program last year and I wasn't impressed so far to be honest. Hopefully, it's only due to the pandemic and because I only tried Hyatt in FL.
@Ben: it makes sense and I also love Miami but don't see myself living there. I would be nice to learn where you plan to live there that you can avoid crowds. I think it all depends on your life style. In my case with kids I have to live close to a good school district (which I hear most are bad) or private school. What I cannot deal with Miami is that no matter what it is a tourist place. You will find tourists at the airport, shopping malls, beaches, supermarkets, etc... That is not how I see myself living in a place I call home.
@ Alejandro -- Did you bother to read my post?
"It’s Miami during coronavirus, and it’s exactly what you’d expect. So rather than being annoyed about it or trying to turn into the mask police, I just adjusted my behavior accordingly to avoid these people. Nonetheless it’s a good reminder that just because a company has a policy doesn’t mean it will actually be enforced."
Not complaining -- I literally acknowledged it's exactly what I was expecting.
@Steve - if you want to read about sh!tty Marriott properties and the crappy Bonvoy program, maybe go head over to TPG where he is paid to comment on them
Stayed here in the before times and had a mostly good experience. The biggest negative was that we were in a room similar to 1502 on your room diagram picture which could be combined into a larger suite. The outer door was not propped open so each occupant of the 2 rooms had to open and close 2 doors to enter or exit. Due to the small size and acoustics of the connecting entry way, it was obnoxiously loud whenever our neighbors arrived or departed their room due to the slam of the doors.
@UA-NYC - I am not complaining and you bring up a good point you cant make it as a blogger without the paid adverts and thankfully Lucky is sponsored by Hyatt and he does not have to pretend that Bonvoy is a good program like tpg does.
@ Steve_CC -- Actually (and unlike TPG) we are not sponsored by Hyatt or any other hotel/airline. You can always review our Advertising and Ethics policies if you have questions on that front.
@ Steve_CC -- I'm "sponsored" by Hyatt? You understand that I pay for all of my own Hyatt stays, and have never had any sort of financial relationship with Hyatt? I do get a commission for approvals for the Chase Hyatt Card, but that's also true with co-branded cards of Hilton, IHG, and Marriott, and they all have bigger card portfolios, so...
two thoughts, it seems Hyatt Centric is comparable to a more modern Courtyard Inn? I'm sure Hyatt would disagree but that seems about right.
Also you've confirmed I won't be going to Florida any time soon. I'll stay in our locked down isolation in Seattle, where we're dying at well less than half the rate.
@Mark: I would say Hyatt Centric is somewhat comparable to Courtyard or Four Points, but more like a Delta. Hyatt Centrics have a full-service restaurant, unlike Courtyard, which basically serves frozen TV dinners. Four Points have a restaurant that is more of a restaurant than Courtyard, but not really full-service. Hyatt Centric is also Hyatt's brand for conversion properties; just like Delta. And yes I know there are some Courtyards and even some Fairfields with a full-service restaurant but those are exceptions and are few and far between.
Can’t believe the comparisons to a 4P or CY. Come on. Those are much more like a HP.
Full service vs limited service. Many more suites. Nicer furnishings and gyms. Better locations.
Plus, you know, Hyatt loyals actually get tangible benefits at Centrics unlike Bonvoy ones at CY and the like.
Stayed here several years ago when it was fairly new (incidentally, right after I met you and Ford at PH St. Kitts).
Had a nice walk around Brickell Key and the mall that was nearby, but overall this place was not as glamorous as the Centric South Beach. Nicer though than the Regency, even in just a standard room there vs suite at the Regency.
I hope that the irony is not lost on you that for all your hating on tourists and being near tourists--you're a professional tourist.
Great review thanks for that!
I was confused .... you order a soy latte but then eat a Greek yogurt?
Haha anyway. Keep up with the Hyatt reviews, this chain really deserves more attention
Why would any one want to be is super spreader Miami/South Florida at this time
@FNT Delta Diamond.
True, the original Centric properties were largely conversions, but I think most of the recent ones are new builds. It makes sense that they wanted to get the brand going with more than just a trickle of new hotels. Going forward, I wouldn’t guess that there would be more conversions with Centric than any other Hyatt brand? If anything I would say that Unbound or JDV are the most likely flags for future conversions.
Geez no one has mentioned the one and maybe only positive feature of the hotel. Toiletries in individual containers not those wretched bottles affixed to the walls:-)
Why did you not consider airbnb? This is your home town. You know the nuances of each location and for your stated preferences and familiarity with what each neighborhood is and isn’t, the relative privacy of airbnb seems more appropriate. South Florida is one of the last frontiers of truly mixed demographic profile. That’s why I love it here. Dealing with morons is part of the drill but so are random interactions with fascinating people. @AW, lol. Truly brilliant.
For $175 more you can stay nearby at the Mandarin and have a truly great experience. Their rates have been incredible lately compared to Miami Beach AND they have a wonderful secret faux beach that is nicer and more private than most actual beach resorts.