Just got back for the Royal Palm. This hotel is in a great location right in the middle of where you want to be. It is ocean front on collins in between the 2 pedestrian streets of Lincoln Road and Espanola Way (be sure to check these out). It is also a block from the start of ocean drive. Not to be missed in the evening or during the day for the beach. We got this hotel thru a promotion for 89$ it was worth every penny and more. There is a 15 $ a day resort fee but includes the beach chairs and towles so well worth it as a 1 chair is 15 $ to rent it for a day. This hotel used to be a Crowne Plaza so the rooms are typical Holiday in type and style. We requested a balcony as we had a smoker so she could go outside to smoke and they gave us a room with one of the small balconies (they are angled and small no room for furniture but can sit on ledge) but that worked fine so we also got an oceanview with our balcony. Also request a room in the building in the tall tower closest to the ocean. There are 2 tall towers and one short one. This will ensure you a decent oceanview if you get a balcony from this location. The staff was very helpful and we were vey pleased with our hotel choice and its location!!!

I chose the Royal Palm because it was part of an airfare/hotel package on Priceline. Per Priceline, it is rated 3.5 stars, which is very accurate. The rooms were clean, the staff was friendly, the lobby/rooms were fairly updated. The marketing photos on Priceline are accurate, as are the candid user photos on this site.

Currently, a few floors are closed because they are remodeling, and soon they will be remodeling their lobby as well, but I didn't hear any construction noise. The hotel was very quiet overall.

I saw a lot of families there. There were also a lot of groups of young adults. Almost all the guests were very friendly. ALL of the staff was nice.

The hotel bar and the pool bar both have cool bartenders (I had a favorite :), although neither is open very late. So these are good places to get your day/evening started, but don't count on making them your evening. I was travelling alone, and I met some great people at the hotel bar that I ended up hanging out with the whole trip.

The hotel restaurant has great food, but it's not cheap.

The access to the beach was great. Literally out the back door. Your resort fee ($15/day) pays for you to get a chair and an umbrella on the beach, but be sure to get a towel from the kiosk in the pool area first. No need to pack your own beach towel. There is also a server who walks around and will take food/drink orders from you on the beach--the service isn't quick (about 1/2 hour to get what you ordered)--but you don't have to move.

In the hotel lobby, there is a little display about the history of the hotel. It was rebuilt in 1998. I never would have guessed. The place has all kinds of deco charm, but totally modern amenities.

We booked our room on travelzoo.com, paid $109 for 3 people. Our room was not ready when we got there because we were early, however, we left our luggage in lock up with the hotel and hit the beach in the meantime. We were able to upgrade free of charge to a huge suite since no one had booked it for that night! Staff was very friendly and helpful, room was very clean, hotel was quiet. Great location with it being right on the beach and so close to all the shopping and many restaurants. Very very convenient. The beach in front of the hotel was busy but there were always enough loungers to lay on. Great hotel for price!! I would recommend to anyone staying in the area.

For a $115 bid on priceline - you could do worse. The location is fantastic - on the beach and close to the action. Although we did not have an ocean view - the room was clean and comfortable. Be warned that maid service may not come until late afternoon. It is definitely a party hotel - and we were awakened each night after the bars close (4am!). Since we were only staying 2 nights - we did not go through the trouble of upgrading our room. The hotel does charge an extra $15 for towel/chair service which is well worth it. We parked across the street in the garage for another $16/day. However, the $14 for the MaiTai at the pool was a joke. Granted - drinks are expensive in resort areas - but come on! All in all the hotel was a good deal for what we paid.