Very funny jim. don't scare me like that! no but really, i just wanted to extend a sincere thanks to you and your family for renting out your comfortable and convenient hotel room to my girlfriend and me. and a huge thanks for being so flexible as to allowing me to keep my luggage in your room until my shuttle came. i really appreciate that. i will definitely recommend you to friends and family that need a hotel room in miami, and i'm sure i will visit miami again shortly, or until next year, i will definitely go through you! as soon as i am notified about next year's conference date, i will book right away. Please stay in touch! and if you are ever in the west coast or visit Seattle, my loft is open to you and your family too!
Thanks again. sincerely, jilli
Miami Beach: Shelborne Hotel: "Great spring break stay"
Date: March 31, 2004
Reviewer: A TripAdvisor User, Nashville, TN
I discovered a room at the Shelbourne through a Miami/SoBe craigslist site of available sublets and rentals. We were able to secure a 3 day stay at a room in the Shelborne. The rate was very reasonable, especially since the rates of surrounding hotels and condos was much more expensive. The room was very comfortable and clean, with just enough room to accomodate me and my friends. The staff at the hotel was very accomodating to our needs and very helpful. We liked the fact that the hotel was in close proximity to the beach (the hotel lies right on it) and also within walking distance to Lincoln Road shopping area and many restaurants, shops, bars and only a short cab ride from clubs. The area is very vibrant and alive, especially at night, so we were never bored. Overall, we will not hesitate to stay at the Shelbourne on our next trip to Miami.
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Miami Beach: Shelborne Beach Resort: "Alyssa Beach Loft"
Sep 15, 2004: A TripAdvisor Member, Hampshire, England
I stayed in a private condo in the Shelbourne hotel and although the staff are not supposed to offer their help, they were very helpful indeed.
The hotel was very clean, the staff were friendly and it is situated in an ideal location, right on Miami beach.
We were very fortunate, the owner of the condo was brilliant and if we had any problems he was there to help us.
I would definitely recommend this hotel to any wishing to go to Miami.
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Miami Beach: Shelborne Beach Resort: "What a fabulous place"
Sep 25, 2004: A TripAdvisor Member, West Chester, Pa
In September my boyfriend and I booked a long weekend at the Shelborne hotel. We were fortunate to locate a private owner of one of the studios! It was fabulous! Alyssa's Beach loft is the name. Everything you need..or forget to bring..he provides for you. The room was cute and slept 4. It is ideal for a couple. The hotel itself was very clean and classy. The bar was small, and not actually where you'd want to spend all your social time, but it was good for a drink or 2. We were so very happy with our choice, and would highly recommend it.
E-mail from John Nickel – 1/6/05
Jim,
Happy New Year. You had me there for a second.
My stay was enjoyable at Alyssa's Beach Loft. All in all pretty good though.
Best,
John
Miami Beach: Shelborne Beach Resort: "Private condo was excellent"
Jan 19, 2005: A TripAdvisor Member, Indianapolis, IN
The studio condo that we rented from a private owner (Alyssa’s Beach Loft) was very comfortable, clean, well-kept, and well-stocked—we far preferred it to a standard hotel room. The owners are outstanding to deal with and have really done a nice job of anticipating the needs of their guests.
Yes, the hotel itself shows its age in places (though the lobby is truly quite lovely, especially in the evening when the candles are lit), but overall we really felt like we got a great value. We'll be back!
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E-mail from Torsten Hahn .. dated 2/17/2005
Hi Jim,
back in germany i´m writing you this mail right now. I want to thank you
for the great studio I was living in the last weeks. it´s been an wonderful
starting point to explore the beach. I hope everything is alright in there.
Kind regards
Torsten
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E-mail from G Steele – 1/7/05
Hi Jim
Happy new year to yourself and Family.
Sarah and I really loved the apartment in Miami and had an absolute blast.
I will definitely recommend it to all my friends.
Thanks again
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E-mail rec’d from J. Faye (10/25/04)
I had a great time and loved the condo, though I was sorry that I did not get to use that special sauce you so kindly left me.
My family had a ball and we all want to come and live in South Beach! Loved the beach and the silky, warm water.
Thanks again for all you help. You were a great host.
Jane
>Subject: Shelborne Hotel
>Location: Miami Beach, Florida, United States, North America
>Title: Alyssa's Beach Loft
>ID#: 1745978
>
>I discovered "Alyssa's Beach Loft," the creative title of a room #730 at
>the Shelborne, at a Miami/SoBe craigslist site of available sublets and
>rentals. The owner, Jim Navarro, was more than helpful in securing us a 3
>day stay at his studio room in the Shelborne. The rate was very reasonable,
>especially since the rates of surrounding hotels and condos was much more
>expensive. The room was very comfortable and clean, with just enough room
>to accomodate my friends and me. He also left us appliances and
>plates/glassware to use during our stay. The staff at the hotel was very
>accommodating to our needs and very helpful. We liked the fact that the
>hotel was in close proximity to the beach (the hotel lies right on it) and
>also within walking distance to Lincoln Road shopping area and many
>restaurants, shops, bars and only a short cab ride from clubs. The area is
>very vibrant and alive, especially at night, so we were never bored.
>Overall, we will not hesitate to contact Jim whenever we are in Miami again
>and need a place to stay.Contact Jim if you're interested:
>PSOJimNavarro@aol.com
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Miami Beach: Shelborne Hotel: "Great privately owned studio in Shelborne Hotel - wonderful hosts"
May 10, 2005: A TripAdvisor Member, San Francisco
Although the Shelborne hotel itself may get mixed review, we stayed at Alyssa's Beachloft, the name given to a studio on the 7th floor of the hotel that is privately owned by a Miami local family.
The best feature are the owners. They are a wonderful and over-accomodating young professional couple living in Miami. The room is fully furnished and has everything one would require from a hotel room and more - towels, sheets, beach equipment, ice machine, toaster oven, hot plates, blender, coffee machines, grill, fridge, kitchenware, filtered water system, TV, DVD, dining table, pull-out sofa bed plus a HUGE standard bed that is definitely more than a queen size (at least a king). The bathroom is large, well lit and has excellent water pressure.
The hotel itself has a great pool area and the hotel sits right on the beach, so the ocean is seconds away and you don't have to worry about carrying wallets and personal items all day with you. Three or four blocks down Collins, you arrive at Lincoln and the center of everything. The hotel/studio is also next to some very choice bars/locations such as the Sky bar at the Shoreline (next door) and the Delano hotel.
The hotel staff was helpful, but since we were renting our own fully equipped studio, we hardly had to deal with them.
Again, everything we needed was supplied by the owners (the Navarros) before we even arrived.
Its a great way to have your own apartment, yet still be able to use the facilities of the hotel in which it is found, with the added benefit of being in a studio that is very well taken care of, because it is privately owned.
So, although my superficial impression of the hotel is to be average, I give my strongest recommendation to staying in this particular studio within the hotel, as it sets itself apart.
I will definitely stay there again. And the rates are a steal! Nothing to complain about.
e-mail dated 11/8/05 from jreynolds
Jim and Ana -
Just a quickie note to thank you for your all-inclusive and excellent
hospitality. Even though we did not meet, i felt well cared for, and I
thank you very much. Hopefully, we will be able to re-do something along
these lines in the future. Joel Reynolds
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E-mail thank you card from F.Gomez – 12/22/05:
Hello Jimmy,
Just want to thank you again for renting Alyssa's beach loft for the weekend. I really appreciate you renting it for that amount. If you have it available for the weekend of july 28-31, 2006. let me know. I will like those days. I really had a wonderful time with my son and husband. Thanks a bunch!!!:)
- Fabiola & Family
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Love this hotel :)"
Dec 22, 2005: qbanjoanna@hotmail.com, Hoboken, NJ
I have stayed at the Shelborne several times before but this had to be the best trip ever. Great weather (even after wilma) and a great room.. I stayed at Alyssa’s Beach Loft (google/craigslist) and it was wonderful. Jim Navarro the owner was THE BEST. This room was fully loaded with everything and anything you need. You get access to the pool, beach, club, etc. just as if you were staying at the hotel but paying much less. I def. recommend you to stay at this condo you will not regret it.
Who ever saids this hotels lobby is dirty is completely blind. It is very trendy & before we left they were finishing a beautiful Club that we cant wait to go check out.
As for the hotel's room's, I've stayed there before they are not the most modern but out of the 4 times I stayed I never had a horrible room. NOW that I know how nice & convenient the condo/apt (Alyssa's Beach Loft) is I wont go for anything else :)
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Miami Beach: Shelborne Beach Resort: "Shelborne Hotel / Alyssa's Beach Loft"
Mar 7, 2006: A TripAdvisor Member, Boston, MA
I recently stayed in Alyssa's Beachloft located in the Shelborne Hotel. It was my first time staying on South Beach and I completely loved it! The studio condo/apartment (craigslist) was fully loaded with anything you could possibly need and everything that I might of forget at home. The beachloft's owner Jim Navarro was the best. He was very helpful in making my stay comfortable.
As for the hotel, it was also a wonderful stay. The pool area is beautiful and the hotel was very clean. Also, the hotel workers were very helpful and courtious.
I highly recommend Alyssa's Beach loft to anyone that is looking for at great (cheap) stay on South Beach. I enjoyed myself and am looking forward to staying there again.
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Miami Beach: Shelborne Beach Resort: "Excellent Hospitality"
Jun 8, 2006: qtpie24_7@hotmail.com, Hamilton, Ontario
Myself and three girlfriends stayed at the Shelborne from May 18th to the 22nd. It was my first time in South Beach and I was sure to read some of the reviews on Trip Advisor before actually deciding where to stay. Thanks to numerous travellers who posted their remarks, I was turned on the the idea of renting a privately owned condo in the Shelborne named, Alyssa's Beach Loft whose owners are Jim and Ana Navarro. When I expressed an interest in renting from him he was very informative and made the process so simple. Apparently the Shelborne charges upwards of $200/night for one of their rooms. We were able to get a room for a little more then half that. The room came fully equipped with an ice machine, plates, cutlery, a fridge, tv, dvd, a bed and a pull out, beach chairs, extra towels, a blender, and so much more
Miami Beach: Shelborne Beach Resort: "Alyssa's Beach Loft"
Jul 9, 2006: A TripAdvisor Member, PA
BEST EXPERIENCE EVER! I stayed at Alyssa's Beach Loft at the Shelbourne. It is condo privately owned by Jim and Ana Navarro but located in the hotel. The room was clean and beautiful. And Jim was amazing. Everything that you need is in the room. There is a bed, pull-out couch, dining room table and kitchen. Jim also provided beach chairs, a cooler, beach towels and very helpful advise on places to eat and transportation (take the $.25 bus). I've traveled all over and stayed at lots of wonderful hotels, but the care and attention to detail at Alyssa's Beach Loft makes it my favorite place to stay. The location is perfect. The beach is located outside of your back door and you are only a few blocks from Lincoln Mall. The beach boardwalk gives you quick access to Ocean Drive.
This is the best place to stay and the cost fits everyone's budgets. Please don't let negative reviews of the Shelbourne stop you from contacting Jim and Ana. It will be the best experience that you've ever had.
Carla in PA
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