Conrad Miami Review: Packed with Value, Especially for Weekend Stays

Bedside outlets on both sides of the bed

After first experiencing the Conrad Miami during a pre-cruise stay, we've come to enjoy it for an occasional weekend getaway being drawn by the red carpet treatment from a great team.  Conrad is one of Hilton's luxury brands and this property lives up the standards.  In fact, this is one of the few properties in the Hilton Worldwide portfolio that we stay at since it takes a lot to sway us from Kimpton or Starwood.  To understand why, check out the detailed property, guest room and spa tour video embedded below, which covers our recent August stay.




The Conrad Miami is in the downtown Brickell neighborhood, which, much like the rest of Miami, is experiencing growth and thus offers plenty of restaurants and bars within walking distance.  The neighborhood and the hotel provide a much more relaxing, subdued experience that South Beach, which is a 15-20 minute Uber ride away.

Sky Lobby on the 25th Floor

During the summer months, you can find exceptionally good values.  At one point this summer, the hotel offered $100/ night promotional rates. We booked through Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts to secure additional perks paying a rate of $179 and also accruing more than 20,000 Hilton points from a one-night stay due to promotions.

Year round, I've seen compelling weekend rates from time to time.  I expect that this hotel attracts primarily business travelers driven by its location on the top floors on an office tower and thus has higher occupancy Monday to Thursday.  You can get even more value during your stay by securing various booking benefits and discounts (see the Quick Hits below).

Hot Breakfast Buffet, Free through Fine Hotels & Resorts

It feels like the Conrad Miami needs to work harder to capture the leisure market and that results in a fantastic guest experience.  Two stays ago, we arrived around 8:30am from a cruise and attempted to check-in.  Laura from the front of house team took care of our check-in but advised that we'd been upgraded to a suite that wasn't yet ready.  We enjoyed the breakfast buffet to pass the time.  Laura came to see us and offered to provide us with an alternate suite while housekeeping prepared our assigned suite. but disclosed that it would be a smoking room.  She took me up to personally allow me to check it out and I declined the offer since I am sensitive to smoke smells.  But frankly, the fact that she went through all of that effort on my behalf made an impact on my experience.  Fast forward to a stay a month or so later and when I walked off the elevator, Laura's face lit up and she greeted me by name.  To me, that was amazing.

Serene Rooftop Pool in Adjacent Building

While at the Conrad Miami, you can enjoy a relaxing pool experience with access to free sunscreen and bottled water.  They even provide a variety of pool floats and free cabanas.  The pool sits atop a separate building across the valet area and tends to be provide a quiet, relaxing vibe.

For dinner, I recommend eating at the Level 25 bar and lounge.  It's more casual than Atrio, which is often quiet Friday through Sunday night, but even better, you get to order from either the lounge menu or the full Atrio menu.  You can also enjoy your cocktails and meal out on the balcony offering partial bay views.  I recommend the lobster sliders and the goat cheese croquettes.

Quick Hits

Relaxation Room at the Spa at Conrad

• Stay at the Conrad Miami for a 1-3 night weekend visit or for pre or post-cruise stays when sailing from the Port of Miami. The clientele tend to be solo travelers, couples or well-behaved families visiting from outside the US.
• Book through Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts for $100 food & beverage or spa credit, free daily hot breakfast buffet, room upgrade (if available), and daily wine & cheese reception, while still accruing Hilton HHonors points.
• If dining at the onsite restaurant, Atrio, check Restaurant.com for a pre-paid voucher to save up to 60% and book your reservation through Open Table for points.
• The Spa at Conrad offers seasonal specials that can provide much better value.
• Try the daily happy hour at nearby Truluck's, an upscale steak and seafood restaurant, for half-price cocktails and appetizers with live piano singers.
• Enjoy scenic runs from the hotel that take you around nearby Brickell Key.  A jogging map on a lanyard is conveniently located in the guest room closet. 
• Download the Conrad Concierge app and schedule your preferred housekeeping and turn down service times, request a select of specialty pillows, and more for free.

  

  Jogging Map in Each Room