This is a tough review. Mainly because we spent 11 nights here which was way too many but also the weather was poor which we didn't expect close to Xmas. But let's start from the top: It's a beautiful old relic......it has charm and poise; it's comfortable and cosy and yes it has an amazing pool and its own patch of sand out the back as well as great beach service.

The service was great and we had plenty of long chats with various members of staff so after a while it felt like home.

We had booked interconnecting sunset view rooms.....cute and cosy....but you couldn't swing a cat in the room never mind the bathroom which served one at a time......a few days on a romantic break and you might be ok but anything longer and you'll be getting cabin fever. So we upgraded to a suite and a double which gave us a living room and more space. the suite also had a way larger bathroom with huge shower as well...so the whole family used this one as the boys couldn't manage to use their shower without soaking the whole bathroom.

The rooms were nicely furnished...beige/brown tones...earthy i guess....could get to you after a while :-) they provided lovely bath products from Kiehls...a real discovery.

lovely turndown service every evening....room softly lit by candlelight, strains of Bach on the radio and some nice cookies to munch on. We had quite a bit of room service and it was always prompt and nicely presented.

the hotel itself felt like it could do with some updating......the lifts for example had seen better days........and the internal hallways could do with brightening up. the common areas were lovely: i loved the little coffee bar in the lobby...very cool......and the main bar was also groovy. the main sitting areas were very inviting with comfortable chairs and sofas to lounge around on and sip Key Lime cocktails (to die for). Outside the restaurant had several sitting areas which helped as we had 2 days of torrential rain.

the pool area was fabulous...you have to see it to believe......its not just the pool but the pool cabana bar...many other areas to hang out in,,,the double day beds, cabanas, beach volleyball court......all this before you even get out onto the beach. and the pool service was excellent as well as the food. it was very reasonable as well pricewise.

the restaurant itself had a fairly limited menu and was pricey but everything they delivered was top notch and its a lovely place to sit.

they had a lovely boutique, mainly for the ladies but the lady in there was very helpful.

make sure you don't use the phone for long distance calls. we made a 16 min call to NZ and were charged $423 (they said that was the AT+T rate...i checked online and they charge $5 a min so no idea where they got that from)....i hit the roof over this and when we checked out they reduced it to $100.....still a reminder not to use hotel phones except for local calls.

the location is great...away from the noise but close to Lincoln Mall. the staff are very helpful when looking for restaurants or things to do....so just ask them. we had a great time in Miami and i would recommend the Raleigh but you need a suite unless you don't mind tiny bathrooms.