Review of Holiday Inn Miami Beach-Oceanfront, an IHG Hotel 3*

I made a 1 night reservation to go with wife and 2 kids to a family event and head back to Orlando the next day and we had the most horrible experience. We have stayed at many hotels, including many Holiday Inns, and this is the very 1st time we have experienced so much stress on a hotel stay. I was excited when we were allowed to check in at noon, but the excitement didn't last long. The room's temperature was 75 degrees, but I decided to set the thermostat lower and go to lunch. We returned 2 hrs. Later and the temperature was 76 degrees. Called room service and an engineer was sent who confirmed there was a problem. Front desk calls to let me know we will be assigned another room and to wait about 20-30 minutes and they will call my room again to let me know when ready. After 1 hr of waiting in a hot-uncomfortable room and the kids getting cranky, I decided we are all going to the lobby and wait there. So, I go to the front clerk to let her know I won't be waiting in the room and guess what… the new room was ready and nobody called to let us know. Go to the new room and the TV remote control does not work, and it probably just needs new batteries, but I didn't even mention this until checking out, so the future guest don't have to go through this. I also had to remind the clerk that our room was reserved with "breakfast included" and was only given 2 "breakfast cards". When I questioned, the clerk said that "no matter how many ppl are in the room, they only give 2 cards". Never heard of this "rule" before. Everywhere I stayed, when there is breakfast included, it is for the whole family in the room. The staff is rude and I kind of assumed that the kids breakfast was free, only to find out in the morning that I was supposed to pay for the other 2 breakfast. Not a good way to start your morning. I was very upset and went to front desk AGAIN, but Maria, from the breakfast staff, told me not to worry about it and to get the breakfast for the kids. Valet parking is $37 a day, not bad if you don't have options. The staff's "Sorry about that" sounded so pre-programed, and not sincere. It felt like talking to "human robots". Never saw one of them smile. We checked out as soon as we could and funny thing is that on the way out I decided to get a Sprite from the soda machine and when I selected the product what came out was an Orange Fanta. I just laughed and left. Finally got home safe feeling like I just woke up from a nightmare. Thanks God we had fun at the family event. Never staying at this Holiday Inn again!