Hotel Review: The Mandarin Oriental, Miami

May 7, 20243 min read

SERVICE -- 👍 great

Check-in was fantastic & included a tasteful welcome package (habanero-lime chocolate & alkaline water).

Courteous, professional, & consistent quality service. Everyone I interacted with -- bellman, waiter, hostess, bartender, in-room dining team, even the customer service operator over the phone-- demonstrated absolute excellence in hospitality & customer service.

They effortlessly cater to even tiny requests and ensure you really feel like a guest & not a commodity.

Elevators were fast & moderately sized but the custom keycard is slow to read.

ROOM [Deluxe Skyline View King] -- 👍 great

Spotless, spacious, beautifully designed, and well-maintained. Its unique mix of traditional + modern patterns, was a vibe.

Rooms on this side also receive tons of natural light from the balcony. And ofc, the view of the south channel/shoreline from this angle was lovely.

A very comfortable accommodation for a solo staycation, minus the limited (dresser) storage space.

It's a notable workcation choice as well thanks to the IP phones, ergonomic chairs & generous tabletop space.

*The AC system is very underrated; quiet, powerful, & eco friendly!

BED -- 👍 great

A formidable mattress that really delivers on sleep quality.

The duvet was a bit lackluster (not particularly soft nor had a cozy weight) but still comfortable.

Overall it was a clean and cozy bedspread with ample pillows.

Bedside utility was fantastic: Accent lights abode the bed + lamps affixed to the headboard. And aniHome bedside power hubs for charging multiple devices with different wattages.

Corner guards on the base were also a nice touch.

BATH -- 👍 great

Absolutely fantastic attention to detail and functionality. The extra-large vanity mirror, framed with dimmable LEDs, complements the deep sinks and sleek, ergonomic handles perfectly. The sandy porcelain Calcutta stone tile pattern creates a luxurious, spa-like atmosphere right in the room.

The DEEP 70" adjoining tub was perfect for a long soak, coupled or solo, & bath bomb worthy.

The walk-in shower featured a high-end 3-piece designer (Natura Bisse) bath set, a generous shower hose and multiple spray patterns to choose from. It delivered a rejuvenating shower experience thanks to the strong water pressure & FAST heating temps.

Towels were excellent, and the bathrobe was simply divine—made from a 100% microfiber shell, it’s incredibly soft and breathable. A perfect match for this climate.

The closet toilet felt like an afterthought, though the toilet paper is surprisingly high quality compared to standard professional-grade options.

Grout lines seem hit-or-miss + some of the tile in the toilet-closet were stained/dirty. Another oddity is the lack of hooks to encourage towel reuse.

TV -- 👍 great

50" HD flat screen TV on a robust wall mount.

User-friendliness of the entertainment center was exceptional. A Guestlink media hub is built into the work desk, providing a plethora of inputs & ports.

Screen share & casting supported are enabled + other pre-programmed functionality.

Wi-Fi -- 👍 good

1 premium ($15) tier in addition to the complementary Wi-Fi option.

The QoS for mobile devices was fine on the free tier & throughput was adequate for work.

25-29 Mbps download

25-27 Mbps upload

FOOD & DRINK -- 👍 great

Very knowledgeable & accommodating for food allergies!

The protein portions are on the smaller side but the cocktails are strong and it's a DoorDash/UberEats friendly location.

I especially enjoyed the Peaches and Cream French toast (Gluten Free).

The minibar was more traditional & limited on the snack selection but stronger on the beverages; filled to capacity with spirits and other drinks like apple juice & Red Bull.

There's a generous amount of bedside bottled (glass) water too.

Wine glasses + bottle opener were also provided.