Perfect Hotel for South Beach

After doing extensive research on all the hotels in South Beach I finally came across The Standard, recently just opened. Where do I begin? I was looking for a hotel, quite, spa like and very relaxing... THIS PLACE WAS IT. We loved it, loved it and loved it. Its walking distance to Lincoln Rd Mall, which is runs from Alton to the beach. About a 15 -20 minute walk and you are in the midst of all the action SOBE has to offer. Location is great, price is super (call hotel directly for the best price) and staff is well knowledge. Ask where to go and you won't be disappointed. They offer shuttle service to The Raleigh (their sister property), which is in the heart of South Beach Posh hotel district. This service is available from 11am -11pm F/S/S. And till 7ish M-Thur. This is a great service; you can use the Raleigh's pool facilities and all their amenities without worry. The front desk personal at both hotels are full of excellent suggestions on what to do. Overall, I would highly recommend this hotel. FYI: if you arrive early or need a late check out, no worries. Go up to the spa, they offer you free lockers to use and away you go. The hotel is catering towards couples and quite singles in there 30's. It's defiantly the best value South Beach has to offer. Go you won't be disappointed.

Beautiful Setting and Spa, So-So Rooms and Crowd

We enjoyed the Standard a great deal. The pool and setting are beautiful and relaxing. The rooms are sparsely decorated but are light and pleasant. I particularly like the patio area that we had in front of our room and the comfortable bed. The walls are quite thin and the rooms are typical South Beach small. I would recommend spending time in the spa which is actually really nice and clean and to a certain extent, included in the room price. The service was quite responsive although the pool service was slow as is usually the case. I would not recommend this hotel to people who are uncomfortable around those with "alternative lifestyles" as they are quite welcome there.

New Standard Hotel in Miami is A Nice Budget Spa Away from Crowds

Formerly the Lido Spa, The Standard Miami has reopened as a more budget-minded choice for the Miami beach area with many high priced spa offerings. Even though the spa menu touts "do-it-yourself" offerings, anything beyond the sauna and steam room consists of just one treatment: mud. One would apply mud to the body while wearing (hope you packed one) disposable bathing suit. Of which I had not packed; I was not willing for my vacation suits to be ruined by a $10 treatment of mud. The Standard's website shows a nude model covered in mud and nudes are certainly shown in every other photo of the spa services. The photos gave me the only impression that it would of course mean NUDE to be authentic to the historic baths of Europe. Nude is not how anyone was taking in the spa during my visit. I would have bought a cheap Target suit if I'd known I needed a disposable one.

First impression of the room was nice, and the windows brought it bright welcome sunshine. I enjoyed the patio very much, although I cannot imagine not having one with the spare size of the rooms (not all do). The rooms are very efficiently decorated with a definite effort to keep walking space open and free of clutter. This was nice until I began to search for any possible storage/flat surface for an open suitcase (or even a suitcase stand) for unpacking items and folded clothing. The only place for clothes is a few hangers in the mini-bar closet. There is floor space for shelving or a dresser, it has just not made the minimalist cut for furniture choices. The daybed ended up being a messy flat surface to unpack my crowded suitcase. Leaving me with nowhere to sit but the bed. The ashtrays scattered everywhere announce "you are welcome to light-up everywhere". This aspect of the spa threw me with all the flowery brochure copy about health and attention to well-being. The snack and menu food offerings were said to be created to offer only healthy mediterrean diet choices while you experience the spa life, the philosophy must have also assumed you would be smoking like the Italians do. Just not nude, thank you. The room definitely held the stink from past smokers; its too small not to. I opened windows and burned candles to overcome the stale smell.

Overall, I had a very relaxing and pleasant stay. The pool was clean and warm for a swim. While basking myself in the sun, I was so parched for a cool cocktail. There was a bar at pools edge, however, I could not get a drink brought to me to save my life. Lots of staff running around, just noone to take a drink order; odd. I finally walked straight to the bar hut and ordered from the barkeep himself. 45 minutes later, still no beverage. I ended up stocking my own mini-bar rather than rely on the non-exist pool service.

Eating at The Standard also proved very expensive. One glass of house wine, a mezza plate of 3, 1/4 cup samplings of various dips and pita chips, and chocolate custard set me back $40! The mezza plate is an appetizer. I felt compelled to eat elsewhere for the limited menu and price.

The beds are lovely with clean, white, fresh linens. The pool area and gardens are also very soothing with relaxing waterfall sounds. All-in-all a bargain if you skip the "for fee" spa offerings and take a walk to Lincoln Mall for meals and drinks. In addition, there is a fantastic shuttle service to take guests to South Beach whenever you want. Just tip your driver and you are instantly transported to lively SoBe with tons of options for things to do!

I would go back again but pack a cruddy suit and stock my mini-bar from the outset.

Horrible Rooms Nice Spa

I stay at a lot of hotels, and althought I didn't spend much for these rooms, it is close to Lincoln road has a nice pool and a decent spa. The rooms are spartan, cheap and will not age well. Bathrooms are the smallest in Miami Beach (and that's saying a lot). Restaurant has great breakfast. This hotel being on the Venitian Causeway is a bit out of the south beach frey...yet the walls are really thin...and I didn't sleep well at all. Shower was also poorly construction with low pressure. Staff service was HORRIBLE and likely because the hotel had only been open for about 2 months. Its a hotel for 30 somethings who want to be in the cool south beach scene, don't want to sleep and pay much for a hotel.

Super Awesome

The Standard is awesome! Its filled with hot n sexy bods and sexual vibes all over! Definetly a spot for hipsters and hot people, love the spa and reservation staff rocks.

The Standard is head and shoulders above many in Miami Beach

I had my pedicure, haircut and color done by the fabulous women who work at the Spa's Salon. I highly recommend booking an appointment with Vaso Spirou for your hair and with Jessica and Andrea for your fingers and toes. Their mellow vibes thoroughly proficient service and creativity make them some of the best in the area, not your usual fly by night thank you 'mam/mr. service most of South Beach unfortunately delivers.

A different South Beach experience

My wife, me and my neighbors stayed in this hotel for an extended weekend. I loved the decor of the rooms and the bathroom. The hotel has a shuttle that will drop you off at the Raleigh (approx. 17th and Collins), so no car is necessary for staying on South Beach (however, if you rent a car you must valet and give them about 20-30 minutes notice, b/c there is no street parking nearby). The pool is awesome. The menu is sparse but, I don't like to eat at the hotel. This is definitely quieter than your average south beach hotel and off the beaten path, with good proximity for those who aren't too lazy to walk a bit. I paid 150/ night from the hotel website, so at that rate, I would stay there again, but at 300+ I might reconsider. Also, the opened a month earlier so my neighbors did not get there room cleaned until they asked, but I think they are working out the kinks, personally, I had no problems. Also, a note on service, this is Miami, and having lived there for years and visited many times, GREAT service is rare. With that said, I was satisfied.

Please note, that I am not one of those critics who critiques things that are clearly abnormal occurences(ie the room flooded when there was a hurricane...) Those reviews aren't representative a typical stay!

Look before you buy

Writing this as I stay at the Standard. I would strongly suggest checking this hotel out before booking. It is an odd one. I believe people will love it or hate it.

While to hotel holds itself out to be an American answer to Europe's great spas it is no Baden Baden. Yes the steam room and pool are nicely done, but it is all a bit random in layout.

But most concerning is that guests welfare appears to be second or third on the list here. This hotel is "Model shot" central. During my stay no less than five camera crews were roaming the grounds, blocking off pool areas, opening doors in the spa area and in general acting as if they owned the grounds. Not the spa feel one would expect at +$300 a night.

Also while the hotel should get credit for fixing up an old place - the room layouts showed on the website are a feat of nice camera positions. These rooms are small and very close together.

Best bet would be to come for a visit first.

Fantastic bed linens!!!

the hotel facilities are fantastic, particularly the spa, pool and gardens. The bed was extremely comfortable and the linens divine. The hotel had however only been opened for 2 weeks and this was clear by the variable customer service we received. The concierge and reception were helpful but some of the pool staff were not. It seems that if you tip, you get better service - not always useful! On the whole, I would reccommend it as the location is bliss - 10 minutes walk to the top of Lincoln Road where all the cafes/shops etc are. Fantastic views over the bay as well.

Loved ! loved! loved!

Just got back and was in awe of the property. As a regular visitor to South Beach, I wanted to experience a different vibe. If you are looking for pure bliss,please go. They are still working out a few kinks. A dinner menu is still in the works. They spa is amazing and the staff is delightful. Not your typical South Beach experience yet close enough if you want to venture out.