The hotel is well positioned in a quiet location, with direct beach access without crossing the road. Our room, facing the ocean, was a reasonable size but lacked storage. Bed was very comfortable, bathroom was fine. The breakfast buffet was regulation Marriott and OK. Staff were cheerful and helpful. You should know that they are building a large condominium next door. The noise starts about 7.30 am and goes on to sunset. That makes it impossible to enjoy breakfast out on the terrace or using the pool area.
There is a variety of eating places within 5 minutes walk, some really good like Nemo one block over on Collins Ave and some garish and loud like the famous Joe's Stone Crab on Washington. Big Pink is fine for large plates of sandwich, pasta and other casual eating..
The whole of Miami Beach and Miami seems to be blighted by construction, so maybe it would be best to wait 4 or 5 years before choosing this as a destination.

Just returned from 5 days and overall really enjoyed our stay. Pool/hot tub area is small but very nice but the great beach is just steps away. The view from our room overlooking the beach was great, as were the comfortable beds and amenities. We found the main concierge very helpful and informative but the Club Floor concierge not overly eager to help. Having stayed in many Marriott properties the staff overall were not as friendly as we are used to.

Location is excellent, you are close enough to all the action of South Beach by a nice walk or short cab ride but far enough from all the noise and crowds. There are lots of great restaurants and shops within a few blocks walk. As a previous reviewer commented, the construction is loud and disturbing if your room is on the south side of the building (as our's was) because a new property is just going up. Loud machinery and cranes that are only a few feet from our balcony made our wake up calls very early. Try to ask for a room on the other side of the hotel facing north. It looks like this construction will be going on for quite a while. If you are early risers this won't bother you, the noise does not interfere with your stay.

Would I go back? For sure, we loved the area and felt very safe at all hours of the day. The hotel was lovely, clean and the location was right.

I have visited the South Beach Marriott 3 times since its opening and the stays have gotten consistently better. Most recently went to the hotel in April 07 for a "girls" weekend to celebrate a friends upcoming wedding, and will return this year to do the same for another friend.

The South Beach Marriott is a good hotel in a good location on South Beach, walking distance to Ocean Drive and shopping. Oceanfront rooms are gorgeous, with balconies overlooking a beautiful stretch of beach. Very comfortable beds and extremely accommodating housekeeping and front desk staff.
Pool is okay, small, so if your a pool person its not your ideal hotel. Book a concierge level room, the breakfast and afternoon cocktail hour is great and there is a deck where you can lounge and see the cruise ships so closely, you can almost touch them!
Deco Blue is a tad pricey (as are all hotel restaurants) and service a tad slow, but they have great salads and a to die for cheeseburger (go ahead and splurge, its vacation!)

We continually choose this hotel as we are Platinum Marriott Members. I would not recommend this hotel for an "authentic" South Beach experience. The hotel tries to be as "South Beach" as it can be, but its a Marriott after all. We like Marriott perks and its comfort and relaxed mode so for us its ideal. Should you want to experience a more "boutique" and happening hotel scene,
I'd recommend the Delano, the Raleigh, or for the ultimate in South Beach chic and luxury, The Ritz Carlton.

We just returned from this hotel where we stayed for 10 nigths. I will say: the location it´s very good, that was for me the best of all. The beach is nice, and the staff is gentle. I didn´t like the building, I think it´s old, and the worst of all it´s looks dirty, Im sure my room wasn´t vaccum during my stayed, I really think it´s need many improvements. Besides there is a construction going on right next door and in short time will begin another one across the street. Next time I will try another hotel.