Oh the drinks

My wife and I stayed at the Cardozo pre-cruise 2 nights prior and we had a blast. The room was very nice and cozy (Bath a little small but it is a bathroom). The food was excellent more than anticipated. The staff what can I say "GREAT". Great location, close to everything. If you are going for some peace and quit then South Beach is not for you. We will be returning to South Beach in October 04 and will stay, were else The Cardozo Hotel.

Buzzing....

The hotel is beautifully decorated, with a massive bathroom and our room had a great view across the road to the beach. The restaurant is also excellent. However, we noticed a low-frequency, but loud humming noise late in the evening which was making all the fixtures rattle. It was keeping us awake, so we mentioned it to the staff, who told us it was music from the club next door (it wasn't). We still couldn't sleep, so we mentioned it again, and eventually someone came up to investigate. The whole corridor was humming and vibrating but the other rooms were empty. The guy they sent was baffled, said he'd get a manager to open the other rooms, but nothing happened. We had to sleep with earplugs in the end. When we checked out and told the beautiful boys on Reception about the noise (again) they didn't seem bothered at all and just shrugged. I wasn't really expecting much, but at that price I would hope at least to get an apology and maybe a discount.

Where was Gloria?

After a stay in April 2004, we came away with the opinion that the Cardozo is a beautifully decorated, romantic place where art-deco meets Animal Kingdom Park. Loved the subtle scent of incense that constantly wafts around the bar area of the restaurant in front. If you want more quiet, forfeit the ocean view room for one towards the back. Leave your narrow mind at home, cause across the street, there's a topless beach and next to that a gay beach. Contrary to what Dave Barry once said about South Beach, that one has to be 5'10" and a size 2 to be seen around here, we saw mostly ordinary people from Anywhere, USA. Our only regret was not bumping into Gloria Estefan, who we heard spends much time here.

Perfect stay

We stayed at the Cardoza in Dec. 03. The staff, as described in other reviews, was extraordinarily helpful, genuinely cordial and extremely friendly and efficient. Room was very clean, functional and attractively decorated as was the entire hotel. Location is perfect -- an easy walk to South Beach shops and restaurants --- but in a quiet location. This was our first visit to the Cardozo but we wouldn't think of staying anywhere else if we return to S. Beach.

It's a great choice!

Just perfect for New Year's Eve! This small hotel was wonderful! Clean, helpful staff (except for the woman New Year's Eve who seemed to be very inexperienced and did not know about restaurent recommendations, cab fare, etc.), and a perfect location for the beach. I would return again.

Great Location

I have stayed at the Cardozo Hotel twice...August and March. The trip in August we found the hotel almost empty. There may have been 1/3 of the rooms occupied. The rates were also half what they were in March. They also had happy hour prices in the bar etc. not in March. The room we had was a King Ocean Front with Jacuzzi tub, bathroom all in black marble...the room was decorated with leopard rugs. A canopy bed...small sofa and chair, cd player, view of the street and ocean, 3rd floor location. I would suggest if you can get the 4th or 5th floor your view would be better.... with less street noise. ...One complaint is the street noise all night...but that goes with the territory I guess.... this is South Beach and your on the main drag...so be prepared for street noise until 2 to 3AM on weekend nights. In March we stayed in a corner suite over the restaurant...I needed a sleep sofa for a third person in our party and was told the sofa in the living room converts to a bed. This sleep sofa was so bad we had the front desk pull of the mattress and add a second mattress, stack them on the floor and made this a bed on the floor for the remainder of our stay. Worked out great. BEWARE, the location over the restaurant converts into a live band / disco on the weekends and you become part of this until the wee...hours. Again, this is South Beach the noise and party atmosphere goes with the territory...if youre going there for a good nights sleep.... go to Boca. I would recommend this hotel for location: restaurants, clubs and beach.

Eh! Could have been worse though.

Went for a weekend, September '03. The place was only half full, but they couldn't accomodate an upgrade to an ocean view. Room was very minimalist, with funky stone work in the bathroom that blocked in the shower and made sitting on the toilet almost impossible. The walls were a little thin, so you hear everyone that walks by your room in the morning. And a random girl and her boyfriend had a loud arguement at 7:15 Sunday morning in front of the lobby to the hotel which woke everyone up. Some of the staff was excellent. Ask to speak with Jan Paul or Jeffrey at the front desk. They gave me some comp cards to local clubs for free admission. The bar/lounge in the Cardozo is usually empty. I didn't try the food, but the menu is similar to every other cafe on Ocean Drive. Ordered a "margarita rocks" and without being asked or told, the waiter gave and charged me $8.50 for Cuervo 1800. They should have asked!!! A small bottle of generic spring water was $4.00 and they have the nerve to include a 15% tip on that! The location was great. Short walk to all of Ocean Drive or up to the 'better hotels' on Collins above 16th street. Right across the street from the Beach!!!

You can't go wrong.

rooms are elegant and spotless. service is superb. location perfect.

one of the nicest boutique hotels in south beach. will definitely stay again.

The Cardozo is cool

To be fair I did not stay here, but I almost moved after checking it out. They offered me a rate of 135 per night for a room with two double beds and it was pretty nice - I looked at it but decided it was too much trouble to move just for one night. (I had a friend I had a friend and her husband come down and we needed more bed space) I think this would be a good relatively reasonable choice - maybe even for one of their nicer rooms - on Ocean Drive. The staff was exceedingly friendly and helpful.

Anniversary at the Cardozo

Just spent 4 nights here. Rooms were lovely, staff was pleasant, location ideal. Only learn on the last day when we took the Art Deco tour (take it) from the Art Deco Museum down Ocean Drive, that Gloria Estafan owns the place. There is a cheap public parking garage around the corner, if you want to avoid valet parking. We got a great rate just by walking in off the street.