Penguin Hotel

We used South Beach as a base for photographic day trips into the everglades, and as place to regroup and eat well in the evenings. The hotel seems to have hired a very weird designer and a very cheap contractor to do an internal retrofit of the rooms to "modernize" them; but the results are somehow strange, tacky and shoddy all at once. For example, despite an abundance of mirrors and high tech appearing lighting in the tiny rooms, the electrical outlets were not properly anchored in the new wall surfaces, so they sank in when you tried to plug something in. In terms of fire safety, that's alarming. Also, more soundproofing between floors would have been a big help. The level of maintenance was also pretty abysmal; the shower had a euro-style flex-hose handle/head, but the clip to hold it was broken, and the AC compressor, unless set just right (which took three days to figure out) made astonishing wake-you-out-of-a-dead-sleep noises. The maid service, however, was truly excellent -- they paid real attention to the doorknob tag, and they did an really nice job cleaning the room. I have been to South Beach before, but it was many years ago and I could not remember where I stayed; I found this place on the web, which is always a dicey proposition. But considered as just a box to sleep in, the price was right and it was survivable.

I met with friends who were staying at the Penguin Hotel in mid-January. I spent three nights. Upon arrival I was assigned a first floor room in the back corner with a window over the dumpster. I asked for a room closer to my friends and was accommodated. The next room smelled like cigarette smoke and again the person at the front desk gave me another choice. This time the room was fine with two beds instead of one for the same price. The rooms are basic but clean. The hallways however are an atrocious dark blue color. What were they thinking? The walls are very thin, so you can hear noise from the hallways and the conversations of people in the adjoining room. There is an outside cafe downstairs and instead of a lobby you have waiters walking through and there is not much room to get out of the way. Overall I would describe the place as a little weird, but it was inexpensive for me as I booked it through the internet. My friends had booked from Europe and paid a much higher price. I was required to leave a 200 dollar security deposit upon arrival, which I thought was strange. On the bright side, the rooms were clean and the staff helpful and friendly. The hotel is right on the ocean and restaurants and shopping as well as the Art Deco district are in short walking distance.

When arriving, the pointed out that they were over booked so they decided to move me to other hotel. Is important to say that by the time of arriving to the hotel my reservation was already paid as [...] charged me the costs of the trip.When I complained about going to other hotel they said there nothing they can do so I could call to [...] to complain. Even the hotel staff was too rude....they never understood that I had already paid.....so in summary, I do not recommend to make reservacions throughout [...] as tey do not commit to give the room space.

Only one staff member working front desk. Check in took too long; staff change takes place right at our required check in time and the woman going off the clock got snippy with the one coming on the clock right in the middle of our check in procedure. She wanted her to take over our process so she could just drop everything and leave. Customers waiting to check in were backed out the front door right into the middle of the Front Porch dining area and blocking the wait staff. Check in shares the same space as waiting area for elevator and the restaurant service area...not a very convenient design. Walls were thin, no sound proofing in the hallways...thus VERY loud environment...could hear everything said in halls from inside rooms. Rooms were small but nicely done with mirrors and white decor to help lighten the area and give it a bigger feel. Sink fixtures squeezed in however under shelving in bathroom made it hard to turn water on and off. Showers do not have a door so water has to be sprayed up on a wall so as not to get floor wet. Great location...cute decor and low cost is what saved this from getting less than 3 stars. Just don't go expecting customer service and posh environs and you'll be fine.

A great deal for the price. Small rooms, but very clean and tastefully furnished. The rooms were very quiet at night, which is South Beach is a treat. There is no ice machine, but the front desk did get us some ice when we brought the ice bucket down. A $200 deposit is required at check-in, and they will not let you check out until the check your room. This is fairly standard for South Beach strip hotels, but still startling. Overall, a clean quiet room on the strip for $60 is very worth it!!!

My best friend and I drove to Miami for a weekend vaycation over Halloween. This recently refurbished hotel was exactly what we would have wanted. It was clean, two full sized beds. Small rooms-but on south beach that's what you expect. The service staff was friendly and always helpful. We ate at the porch front restaurant and drank at the bar. Excellent drinks!!! The room was clean and bathroom modern and spotless. Felt completely comfortable. First floor, so we didn't visit the elevator. Since it's right on 14th and ocean we didn't even have a chance to visit the pool. Thus far, when looking for an affordable room right on Ocean Drive, the Penguin will be my only choice!

Excellent service at the hotel, but the restaurant service was poor. The hotel rent the restaurant and isn't part of it.

Upon arriving we were told that some of the rooms were not ready and they wanted to put us in their sister hotel the President instead. They said they would put us in the penthouse suite instead with a king bed instead of a queen. The room was on the top floor (4th) but it did not seem like a pentihouse suite, however, the room was nicely decorated but with a double bed, not a queen or king. Therefore this review is on the President not the Penquin.

My room had a serious issue with ants which pretty much destroyed my experience with this hotel.

i've been coming to south beach just about every month for a few years now and i usually arrive before check-in... they usually tell me that they'll give me a call when a room is ready and it usually happens way before check-in time. This hotel has a check-in time of 3 rather then 2 like most hotels and check-out time of 11 instead of 12.. and they charge $50 if there is a room available and you want to check-in early.. weird! but anyways even though there was no room service, pool, doorman to bring me my luggage, and the decor was pretty out there the room was decent and clean and a pretty good bargain for what i paid. The frontdesk was accomidating for the most part although i did ask for a few q-tips and they had not one in the entire hotel which i thought was strange.. the stay was ok.. nothing special