The Balfour Hotel

My card was charged twice a month after check out without any explanation. After several emails they promised refund but it has never happened. It's not about the money but about feeling like you were scammed and they just don't care. Note to travelers. The hotel lobby looks nice but the rooms are run down, dirty and smelly, especially the toilet. Ask them to show you the room before!

Awful experience, staff are never available when you need them, room service number don’t work on phone, called desk- they never answer when you go downstairs to lobby, no staff ever seem to be present or are on laptop and never seem to address concerns. We went to the bar for complimentary drinks- no bar staff ever present, we waited 15 mins and the check in lady didn’t even ask if we were waiting for something - had to ask her to bring to see if we could have a complimentary drinks. You are in inconvenience than a guest. Worst part of our stay was the faeces and urine in toilet when checked into our room, only one outlet works, raised concern and they came with 2 new toilet rolls …? We are checking out early as we didn’t feel treated well, rooms are also tiny and curtains don’t open properly. Raised a 2nd concern via email instead and have continued to ignore us

I'll be honest — I was a little nervous booking the Balfour. This was my wife's 42nd birthday getaway, and she is very particular about where we stay. I needed this to be memorable. Well, the Balfour didn't just meet the bar — it cleared it. We stayed in Suite 428, a corner suite facing Ocean Drive, and it was everything. The room was meticulously cleaned, cozy, comfortable, and had a living area that made it feel like a genuine retreat. The double showerheads with hand sprayers were a luxurious touch we didn't expect. One of our favorite little perks? You can people-watch along Ocean Drive right from your bed or the couch — pure Miami magic. We did experience about a 90-minute delay checking into our suite, but the staff handled it graciously, comped us some freebies, and honestly it gave us a chance to explore a couple of nearby restaurants while we waited. No complaints. The Lavazza coffee in the room was exceptional, and they kept us fully stocked throughout our stay. There was also a mini fridge and minibar available for purchases, though we didn't need it. The property itself is intimate — don't expect a sprawling mega-resort. But what it lacks in size it more than makes up for in atmosphere. It has a genuine resort-and-spa vibe that feels boutique and curated. The pool is small and we skipped it, but we did enjoy the rooftop a couple of times — lounge chairs, open sky, good energy. What really sets the Balfour apart is the value built into your stay: free bike rentals, complimentary yoga classes, and beach chairs and towels are all included. The beach is just a short walk away, and you are surrounded by options — easily 50+ restaurants within three-quarters of a mile. We loved La Grande Boucherie, The Craft on Española Way, Mama Pizza, and Café Bastille. Each one was worth the walk. The Balfour puts you right in the middle of everything Miami Beach has to offer — and my wife left happy. That's all I needed. We'll definitely be back.

Stayed 2 nights on business. Location is fine (maybe even great for vacationers). I was disappointed with hotel room quality. Floors looked a bit dirty, it was dusty in a room. Fixtures look old and cheap. The worst was limited noise barrier. I could hear other people snore above me. AC units are very loud. Sleep quality was poor due to uncomfortable pillows. Mattress was good. Rooms are tiny (okay for one person, buy cramped for more). Lobby bar and welcome drink appreciated. Bartender was friendly. Didn't use any other amenities.