Excellent service made up for slight shortcomings

just got back from short stay at hotel impala. booked through expedia and must have gotten the "expedia" room (small room at end of hall across from service storage closet and fire exit. service was excellent - roz, the owner, was personable and welcoming. ritchie recommended and made reservations at great restaurants. slight problem with the room was attended to immediately, and offer to switch rooms made. late checkout was accomodated without problem. room was small, loud trash truck did come by at about 8:30am, and lobby noise could be heard. but, all in all, an excellent stay at a cozy hotel in a great location.

thanks!

Excellent Hotel and staff

We stayed at the Impala from 22nd - 26th Jan 2004, the hotel is excellent and the staff could not have been more friendly and helpful.

We would definately recommend this hotel to anyone looking to book a holiday to Miami. The hotel is small, however this adds to the excellent personal service. The location is also excellent for the beach, shops and night life.

Excellent staff and accomadations!

I found the property to be wonderful. Excellent staff there to answer any questions and a wonderful restaurant. I would definitely go again and I plan on it. It is small and cozy and very romantic. Much better than a bigger hotel or beautique.

Home Away from Home.....

l have just returned from a most enjoyabe stay at the Hotel Impala - everything was top notch. The GM Ros and her staff were always there to help and advise of local events and restaraunts.This hotel has the best housekeepers l must say as it was always so spotlessly clean and fresh.

Also our room was so enjoyable,spacious and tastefully designed - l would highly recommend as a home away from home stay with a quiet european feel.

Tiny, tiny room

I had read many positive reviews of the Impala in guidebooks. All of them mentioned that it is a small hotel, but none mentioned that everything in the hotel is small, especially the rooms. I was given a room that I was told is standard. While the bed and armoire were of good quality, the room was so small that with one placed against one wall and the other placed against the opposite wall it was difficult to walk between the two pieces of furniture without bumping into one of them. This would make a good sobriety test if the police want to find out whether one has had too much to drink. The only other furnishings in the room were a flimsy table and two uncomfortable chairs. The bathroom was also tiny, perhaps designed for elves rather than humans.

I had much rather stay at a chain hotel with no character but rooms big enough for people. I should also mention that the television only worked occasionally.

A lovely jewel

My family and I took a cruise from Miami last week and wanted to take advantage of a few days in South Beach. I had searched travel books and magazines and of course "tripadvisor" and kept coming across the name "Hotel Impala" each and every time for an affordable, lovely, quaint establishment in desirable South Beach. After searching some of the usual sites for availability and prices, I decided to call the Hotel Impala myself. I had the pleasure of speaking to the general manager, Ros, who was most gracious and made the reservations at a fabulous price and even advised me to cancel my rental car as it would be cost inefficient to have one. When we arrived at the hotel, we were so impressed by its loveliness and cleanliness. The rooms were spacious and the bathrooms were gorgeous and spotless (as was everything). It is located a block from the beach and within walking distance of Lincoln Rd Mall and the wonderful restaurants on Ocean Drive. Ros and her staff are so friendly, gracious and helpful - our stay was fantastic! Please do not hesitate to make your reservations here - you will not be disappointed!

Romantic getaway

We had the most perfect, romantic vacation at Hotel Impala. The staff are so personable and end up knowing your name. The rooms were great - I liked the stone bathrooms very much, and (this sounds strange) I loved the closet doors. (You just have to see them.) The staff were always on hand to give us advice on where to go, give us towels for the beach, give us ice or coffee, etc. If I go to South Beach again, I would only stay here.

Private oasis amid South Beach bustle

Almost hidden and just one block from the beach, my stay at the Hotel Impala was like a private oasis. The staff was very courteous, attentive, discreet and unobtrusive to a level usually only found at the more exclusive (e.g. "expensive") hotels. The room details and furnishings were Mediterranean in style and the amenities appropriate (no cheesy mini-bars here!). The housekeepers were invisible angels, by the way.While ownership and management changed hands sometime in the past year, my visit was perfect -- a quiet room, no attitudes, adult clientele (Spring Breakers need not apply), affordable and very easy walking distance to everything from the beach to the best restaurants and shopping (skip the rental car).Room rates are comparable to or actually below other quality beach hotels where I have stayed. Other places probably charge for the arrogant staff attitudes or the privilege of "being seen" at their property.OK, my review is a bit wordy but I was really impressed and I would like other travelers to enjoy the Impala and experience other businesses in South Beach that share the focus on quality and discretion. And, no I do not work for the Impala...

Impala decline

Having stayed at the Impala in 99 ,(very enjoyable and top rate then) I was disappointed to see that it's beginning to seem a bit worn. Time for some fresh paint and updating.

Room noise can be disturbing from nearby nightclub and alley activity. For the price(160) it's ok- service can be inconsistent - but in these bargain travel times, deals can be had for rooms with views and a hotel restaurant that can serve cocktails to the room .

Cozy at the Impala Hotel

We stayed at the Impala Hotel on South Beach around 12th and Collins in Jan. '93. It is what they call a "boutique" hotel. I thought it was charming. A couple of things in the room did not work (eg. the fan in the bathroom and the volume on the stereo) and the room was small. Nevertheless it was delightful . There is a wonderful Italian restaurant attached to it. It is in a quiet location yet it is only a block from the beach and is very close to all the activities in the area. The price was around $160 which seems expensive for the size and quality. But other comparable "boutique" inns in the area were charging about the same. If there are no major events scheduled for this area at the time during which you plan to go, you can try to get rooms for much less than the rack rate or the internet rate if you call the inns directly.