St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, Miami Beach, FL [Master Thread]
#391
Formerly known as newbie elite
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: YUL
Programs: IHG Diamond Ambassador, Accor Platinum, AC50K
Posts: 2,944
I spent a lot of winters at the Sea View hotel (with my friends David Brinkley and Bob Dole amongst others) in my teens back in the 80s, is the St-Regis the old Sheraton next door?
#392
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: USA
Programs: MB Ambassador, WOH Globalist, HH Diamond (Aspire), AA Gold, UA (*G) Gold
Posts: 5,340
#393
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador
Posts: 598
Yeah, I was thinking that I would be offered a suite after the housekeeping issues with my first room, but honestly, I'm glad I got the $100 credit instead (as the only value of the extra space for me would be to take videos of and make my mother jealous).
The buffet was mostly self-serve (all of the tongs were on the guest side, but there were staff members on the hot items who would hold open the lids for you). Of course, the omelet station wasn't self-serve :-)
I didn't notice any bread pudding - as that would definitely be something I would have tried had it been there.
The buffet was mostly self-serve (all of the tongs were on the guest side, but there were staff members on the hot items who would hold open the lids for you). Of course, the omelet station wasn't self-serve :-)
I didn't notice any bread pudding - as that would definitely be something I would have tried had it been there.
#395
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Manhattan, Palm Beach Island, San Francisco, Boston, & Hong Kong
Programs: Lifetime United Global Services, Delta Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Ambassador, & Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,165
Highest should be Astor Luxe and then Grand Luxe. A lot of data points in the Ambassador fb group of people getting subsequent upgrades on top of this.
Astor Luxe > Imperial suite > Atlantic suite > Royal suite
However, they are mostly pre covid so ymmv. I did not get a suite earlier in the year.
Astor Luxe > Imperial suite > Atlantic suite > Royal suite
However, they are mostly pre covid so ymmv. I did not get a suite earlier in the year.
#396
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Hyatt Explorist; Hilton Gold; Marriott Ambassador; Delta PM; United Silver; Global Entry
Posts: 99
Highest should be Astor Luxe and then Grand Luxe. A lot of data points in the Ambassador fb group of people getting subsequent upgrades on top of this.
Astor Luxe > Imperial suite > Atlantic suite > Royal suite
However, they are mostly pre covid so ymmv. I did not get a suite earlier in the year.
Astor Luxe > Imperial suite > Atlantic suite > Royal suite
However, they are mostly pre covid so ymmv. I did not get a suite earlier in the year.
#397
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Manhattan, Palm Beach Island, San Francisco, Boston, & Hong Kong
Programs: Lifetime United Global Services, Delta Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Ambassador, & Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,165
That’s awesome. How was the suite? Would it be worth paying for an upgrade if they don’t grant you one?
#398
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC, BA, Marriott, SPG
Posts: 842
I keep going back and forth between St Regis Bal Harbour and Ritz Carlton SOBE for my next stay. I am concerned about the recent negative reviews of the St Regis...are these just one off anomalies or has the hotel really deteriorated that much?
#399
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Hyatt Explorist; Hilton Gold; Marriott Ambassador; Delta PM; United Silver; Global Entry
Posts: 99
It was actually a fully stocked living unit, complete with 1.75 bathrooms, full kitchen (stove, full fridge, dishwasher, microwave), and washer/dryer. Easily the nicest complimentary upgrade I’ve ever received. I believe you and I both were granted the Astor Suite in San Francisco and that suite (nice as it may be) doesn’t come close to comparing.
Whether it’s worth the price…I lean yes. A definite yes if I was trying to impress or entertain someone. I was there for almost a week and appreciated feeling as if I was test driving a vacation home.
#400
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Manhattan, Palm Beach Island, San Francisco, Boston, & Hong Kong
Programs: Lifetime United Global Services, Delta Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Ambassador, & Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,165
The suite was fantastic. It features two full balconies overlooking the pool and the beach. Each with some very comfortable seating and sufficient shade conducive to working outdoors.
It was actually a fully stocked living unit, complete with 1.75 bathrooms, full kitchen (stove, full fridge, dishwasher, microwave), and washer/dryer. Easily the nicest complimentary upgrade I’ve ever received. I believe you and I both were granted the Astor Suite in San Francisco and that suite (nice as it may be) doesn’t come close to comparing.
Whether it’s worth the price…I lean yes. A definite yes if I was trying to impress or entertain someone. I was there for almost a week and appreciated feeling as if I was test driving a vacation home.
It was actually a fully stocked living unit, complete with 1.75 bathrooms, full kitchen (stove, full fridge, dishwasher, microwave), and washer/dryer. Easily the nicest complimentary upgrade I’ve ever received. I believe you and I both were granted the Astor Suite in San Francisco and that suite (nice as it may be) doesn’t come close to comparing.
Whether it’s worth the price…I lean yes. A definite yes if I was trying to impress or entertain someone. I was there for almost a week and appreciated feeling as if I was test driving a vacation home.
#401
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: New York, NY, USA
Posts: 12,493
#402
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Hyatt Explorist; Hilton Gold; Marriott Ambassador; Delta PM; United Silver; Global Entry
Posts: 99
Apologies if my post created confusion. The post above mine referenced discretionary upgrades beyond the SNA request and I only meant that I did not even put in an official (or unofficial for that matter) suite request and was upgraded anyway.
I do think it had something to do with my return to travel altogether as the Ambassador with whom I spoke was very excited about that fact and I was welcomed back both to Marriott and traveling at the FD at checkin.
I do think it had something to do with my return to travel altogether as the Ambassador with whom I spoke was very excited about that fact and I was welcomed back both to Marriott and traveling at the FD at checkin.
#403
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador
Posts: 598
They used to be quite generous here with upgrades, but it seems something has changed since COVID. They have been telling people they can't upgrade to any suites that are now in a resident program (?). Imperial Suites aren't in that program, but there are very few (like 3-4, I believe). We received one in April 2021 as Platinum members, but only after our Astor Luxe room (which we used an SNA for), still wasn't ready at 5pm. At that point, we asked to speak to a manager who suddenly found us a true suite, after being told they were sold out and nothing else was available. They definitely play games with inventory :/
#404
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador
Posts: 598
If you've stayed here before, you will notice some differences, for sure. We stayed here in April, and it was still wonderful overall but definitely not at the same level it was pre-COVID. (Examples: breakfast buffet is of lesser quality, no treats by the pool/beach, must pay for umbrella on the beach, limited days for champagne saber, no turndown service, no late check-outs)
#405
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA Gold, Marriott Titanium/Lifetime Platinum, IHG Platinum, National Executive
Posts: 81
If you've stayed here before, you will notice some differences, for sure. We stayed here in April, and it was still wonderful overall but definitely not at the same level it was pre-COVID. (Examples: breakfast buffet is of lesser quality, no treats by the pool/beach, must pay for umbrella on the beach, limited days for champagne saber, no turndown service, no late check-outs)
I'll give a quick trip report on +/- and compare directly to our visit in 2019.
This is our first "major" trip post pandemic as a family....so will see how they handle kids as well.