The Wave Hotel
Insiders:
Message from The Wave Hotel
The Wave Hotel, on Miami's South Beach, is a boutique hotel formerly known as The Lord Balfour. It underwent an extensive renovation, bringing this 1940 historic Art Deco building to its unspoiled original splendor, with all the contemporary comforts of the new millennium. Perfect for holiday and romantic getaways, families or singles or just for a quick escape, The Wave Hotel in Miami Beach provides the ultimate backdrop for a memorable vacation. The Wave Hotel is located on Ocean Drive in the heart of South Beach.
Editorial by Citysearch
The SceneBuilt in 1941 as the Lord Balfour Hotel, the Wave reopened in late 1999 after extensive renovations that kept the best (terazzo floors, tiled bathrooms) while updating the rest. There's an unassuming hipness that fits its south of Fifth Street location. A wide, shady, front porch filled with overstuffed couches is the perfect place to enjoy a cappuccino in the morning, or relax in the evening with a cocktail from the adjacent full-service bar.
The Details
Rooms are outfitted with sleek, functional Italian furniture. Aside from the usual television, stereo and mini-bar, each room has a "sound spa" or wave machine that lulls you to sleep with the sounds of a babbling brook or gentle rain. But perhaps the best feature is one that should be mandatory in all South Beach hotel rooms: blackout shades to keep the sun out so you can sleep late.
Key Points
- Hotel Service Unmatched
- Great Bar and Porch
- Complimentary WiFi
The Inside Scoop
- The Extras - Internet access, a breakfast buffet, access to a modern gym and an in-house library are available to all guests at no charge.
Latest reviews from Citysearch.
As i was reading some reviews before the trip, i became skeptical about the hotel but i should have known. When checking in, the agent at the desk (Gladys) was very unpleasant. She never smiled during the entire process. The lobby was dirty, footsteps all over the floor. There was another girl but she was on the phone for at least 5mns must have been a personal call. I found out that she was the manager the day of our departure. Customer Service at that place really is at the bottom of the list. The GM (Adolfo) something is very fishy about him. he never came up to answer a question at the desk. I guess he's too fat. Anyways i will never spend a dime at that hotel.
Pros: Parking, Bar
Cons: Service, Staff, Management, Rooms
Posted 12/22/06
Oh, where to begin?!? I guess at check-in...we arrived and our reservation was nowhere to be found in the system. We reached a quasi-resolution by agreeing to stay there for only 2 nights of our 4-night trip. Then, we got to the room...the first thing that struck us was the odor. It was a mix of urine, dankness, and cheap cologne. Gross! We opened up the windows and decided to give it a second-chance. We took a seat on the beds, which were harder than sheet metal. Not to mention...there were some very unsavory, milky-white stains on the bedspreads...again, gross! So, I went to seek reprieve in the bathroom, but to my dismay, there was a very large cock-r oach making its way up the wall. But, I will admit that the porch was quite nice and the best part of this whole joint.
Posted 12/01/06
3 times to Sobe and finally a cool, right price hotel!
great breakfast
2 for 1 at breakfast made it tough to stay awake at the beach, but was worth it!
close to all I wanted and hip hotel
Posted 10/30/04
Great stay. Even the kids loved it!
Cool hotel with aporch that allowed you to see it all
best breakfast a hotel can offer
20%discount for my return trip offer makes it tempting to do it again soon!
Posted 06/26/04
great hotel! service unmatcheb. awesome breakfast! a tell all your friends type experience!
Pros: service, breakfast
Cons: no pool, gym
Posted 10/27/02
I spent a long week-end at the Wave Hotel, and I look forward to go back! Staff was so friendly that we felt like home. Decor is very upbeat, and the complimentary breakfast buffett..wow!!!
Location is also good, close to South Beach action and to the beach itself.
A very good value for our money!
Pros: atmosphere, location, inexpensive
Posted 10/08/02