The Setai

The Setai is an oceanfront gem that delivers an unforgettable experience. The staff is absolutely amazing—warm, attentive, and genuinely committed to making every moment special. The food is exquisite, with every dish crafted to perfection. The three pools are amazing. The setting is stunning, and the atmosphere is elevated even further by the incredible live show, which adds a magical touch to the evening. A true luxury escape in South Beach - we can’t wait to return!

I was really looking forward to staying at The Setai because of its high-end reputation, but my experience was seriously disappointing. During my stay in mid-July 2025, I saw a large rat near the pool area, specifically between the Ocean Grill restaurant kitchen and the pool that kids commonly use. Guests often walk barefoot and dine nearby. This was shocking and completely ruined the peaceful and luxurious atmosphere I expected from a five-star resort. What made it worse was how close the rat was to the kitchen and the kids’ pool, a major health and hygiene concern. I felt sick just seeing it, and this raised serious doubts about the hotel’s pest control and cleanliness. After many back-and-forth emails my husband explaining the situation, My husband made it clear he wanted to reach out privately and directly instead of immediately posting a public review. Unfortunately, management’s responses felt generic and dismissive. At one point, I received a particularly rude email implying that monetary compensation was only offered in exchange for social media reviews, which was not the case. The only actual compensation offered was a refund for a restaurant charge, but this felt more like an attempt to brush off the problem rather than address it seriously. Based on health and safety regulations in Miami, The Setai should be actively solving this problem rather than simply saying they “know”!! This is unacceptable for any hotel, especially one charging premium rates. Frankly, this hotel is not worth the amount of money they charge. If you’re looking for a truly clean and well-maintained luxury hotel, I would suggest looking elsewhere until they improve their pest control and guest care.

Extremely Disappointing – Far From a 5-Star Experience I recently stayed at The Setai Hotel Miami, and it was one of the most disappointing "luxury" hotel experiences I’ve ever had. First, the room was shockingly outdated, with a persistent unpleasant odor coming from the bathroom and toilet. The walls—both inside the room and throughout the hotel, especially near the elevators—were scuffed, worn, and in need of renovation. For a hotel that brands itself as a serene, five-star retreat, the reality was far from it. The outdoor environment was chaotic and anything but relaxing. Construction noise from bulldozers and demolition at two nearby buildings was constant and intrusive. While The Setai may not be directly responsible for this, they failed to notify us in advance—no warning email, no heads-up, and certainly no offer of any discount or accommodation adjustment (for the price for 850$ per night!) This lack of transparency is unacceptable. The pools were crowded and lacked the calming atmosphere they so heavily promote. The so-called spa and wellness facilities were equally disappointing to the level of being a “JOKE”! The sauna was old and filthy, the steam room was ridiculously tiny, and the single shower in that area felt more like a gym locker room than a luxury hotel. It's laughable that this is marketed as a "world-class" spa experience. The beach experience was just as bad. Guests were playing loud music without any regard for others, and what’s worse, not a single Setai staff member addressed the issue. There was no enforcement of any standard of respect or ambiance, leaving guests who actually came for peace and relaxation completely overlooked. To make matters worse, the noise levels at night were unbearable. The walls are paper-thin—every sound from the restaurant below, from chairs scraping to music playing, echoed into the room. We could hear footsteps, bumps, and voices all night long. Absolutely unacceptable for a place with such high rates and even higher claims. I contacted the front desk to express these concerns and requested to speak with a manager. No one ever got back to me. The complete lack of response and accountability speaks volumes about their service standards. This hotel is all about image—but delivers none of what it promises. Definitely never returning and will strongly advise anyone I know to avoid The Setai. It’s simply not worth the price or the frustration.