Howard Johnson Plaza Dezerland Beach & Spa

This was our first trip to Florida and so it was hard to figure out where we should stay. I was planning the trip on the cheap and this hotel seemed like it fit the bill with being right on the ocean and with a diner. It was okay for one night but by the third night we were ready to check out. Pros: Location was nice for a nice relaxing day, however if your young like me and want to be closer to the action you need to be on 41st street or down (We rode the bus) The beds were clean as well as the towels. Cons: I think the room next to of might had been a construction zone, the walls are paper thin and the tile flood made it hard to catch any sleep. My $55 bottle of new cologne went missing. I used it and laid it on the bed when we got back to the beach it was no where to be found. I took all the sheets off the beds, took everything out of every bag and it was just gone. I'd hate to say it was stolen but I don't know what else could have happened to it. (The room safe that we were required to pay extra for did not work) A hotel like this should include breakfast at no charge, it did not. Plus their credit machine was down and so they only accepted cash. They also automatically figure in an 18% gratuity at the breakfast buffet. We sat ourselves and we fed ourselves the only time anyone helped us is when we paid, not sure that warrants a tip! The staff where hard to understand and the cleaning staff kept knocking on the door (3-4 times) at one point I barely had the door open before they where in the room. We had our "do not disturb" sign on the door the entire time. Like I said for a night it was fine, for three nights it was too much. I would probably not stay here again unless I brought my kids with me. For a long weekend for a couple to get away it was not ideal.

it was 100% perfect over all. the onli thing that i was told evry thing eas included in the pacageeven hotel charge. and by coming to the hotel i was gharged $10.00 PAR DAY EXTRA.

I consider myself an easy to content guest. This Hotel is horrible! Be prepare to pay $10 dollars daily...they say for a towel service on the pool..hopefully I took my own towels to the pool/beach but i see several customers running around to find the towel guy. Parking? $11 dollars more daily...get to the hotel early because you will have to park across the street for the many cars without permit in the hotel parking. As you can see the hotel description says "Free Continental Breakfast"...jajaja..that is a joke! I never found out but I believe you will need to pay extra for that too since not all reservation says on their computer (as they explained me) free continental breakfast. Then I wonder, "if I have to pay..it is not free!". So, the free breakfast is for people who pay it...I guess. I also received a very bad treatment from the security guy in the parking when I received a call just exiting the parking and had to stop the car. They were no guest entering or exiting the parking and he jumped out of his car as a policeman in a movie and screamed at me.."You have to move your car NOW! you are blocking the parking!"..of course we had a few words and I moved my car when I finished my conversation on the phone while he was standing next to me...that is how they treat their customers..I would never block nobody from entering or exiting the parking..I am not that type of person...we were on vacations..we didn't need that people who is supposed to make us feel welcome treat us like that. Rooms are falling in pieces...there is not metal based part of the hotel without rust. The bathtub really nasty...I will never come back or suggest this hotel to nobody.

Don't be fooled by low price. Hotel will double it by additional charges and fees. Staff is rude and unwelcoming. Will never come back here.

Not the most polite staff - The breakfast is a fiasco - the staff will knowingly mislead you - be careful for additional charges! Elevators are extremely slow and not enough of them - over crowded. Stairs into hotel lobby are just too much when unloading luggage - poor design. Parking was ok - but the entrance is not very safe especially with large vans.

We stayed in this hotel for 6 nights. It is right on beach and has a pool and spa. We would spend mornings on the beach. Location is really good. I would say if there can be any better location it would be on south Miami beach but maybe not with these room rates. This hotel charges Resort fees ($10 per day) though it isn't mentioned on the site & also the breakfast isn't free. Also it charges $11-$15 per day parking fees. Keep that in mind while planning.

The view of the ocean from its big window was great, but nothing else is above par. Small bathroom, wet floor, cockroach on bed sheet, AC didn't work properly.

The location of the hotel is in North Beach and to far from town. It sits right on the beach which is great!! Hotel front desk staff was not friendly at all. Room was small really only made for 2 people, not 4.

Just a few steps to the beach, clean rooms good location

There is a lot to be said about clean and no bugs in this part of the world. I have stayed here three times and I am booked again in January. It's on the beach and a great location as far as the city goes. Yes you have to pay for parking, but most places along the beach you will have to pay for parking. The building is older but most are in this area. The staff will take care of you, and they have a great place to eat right down stairs. No fighting traffic in a city you can get lost in without trying. This is the first place I look when I am coming to MIA.