National Hotel

Pros: Everything, great hotel, great room, great location, great beach.
Cons: The shower is very weird but if you're not a big complainer you'll be fine.

My fiance and I stayed at the National for my birthday in June 2004. We booked the hotel through expedia and got a pretty good deal for a four star hotel surrounded by MUCH more $expensive$ hotels. It is amazing. Within walking distance of Ocean Drive ...

Pros: Great service. Great Location. Fair Price. Many amenities.
Cons: Smallish rooms.

The National was the premier art deco hotel when it opened in 1927, and, after a long period of decline has been refurbished in the South Beach Renewal since 1997. Recently, the hotel has been undergoing a total refurb. I spend 4 days there with a ...

Pros: Details, location, pool area, lobby, restaurant.
Cons: rooms are a little small and not as impressive as the rest of the property

This hotel is an art deco gem. The lobby, grounds and pool area are gorgeous. The hotel has a hushed but relaxed atmosphere with a very helpful staff. Beautiful details abound: terrazzo floors with martini glass patterns, mosaic ceiling murals, art...

Pros: An interesting art deco property that has potential.
Cons: Not up to par with other properties and a long way to go.

We recently stayed at the National (about 20 of us). Not one person in our party was very happy with the service there or the quality of their rooms. I would look at other hotels in the area before spending dollars here.
Although it is an interesting property, and they have made an effort to restore it, there is no service with a smile - more like service with an attitude. Room service timing was across the board the worst I have ever experienced, and I had 5 days to experience it. While we were there, the elevator was not working, which made for sometimes over a 7 minute wait for service. Hopefully they've fixed it. The rooms are a bit shabby and smelly. There is something lacking at this hotel - maybe it's the new management lack of experience? I would not return here.