ABOUT HOTEL IMPALA:
How you see it will depend on your perspective, see. I've read the other reviews and, yes, it's true- Hotel Impala doesn't provide hair dryers or white fluffy robes or coffee makers and there's some construction going on next door and Beyonce won't be lying poolside because there isn't a pool to lie beside.

So. If you want a sleek MOD hotel with scenic views of faux and/or real celebrities and the ocean waves, then this isn't the place for you. HOWEVER, if you want to stay one block off of Ocean Drive and the beach, just around the corner from the Versace Mansion and the Art Deco Welcome Center and the Post Office, in an unpretentious cute boutique hotel where you can easily walk to Lincoln Road and The Delano and Nikki Beach and not be bothered with much else other than Starbucks Mint Mocha Chip Frappaccinos by day and Strawberry Margaritas by night, then The Impala might be perfect for you. It was for me.

ABOUT ME & MY STAY @ IMPALA:
I'm a young, single woman from NYC who just spent a three-day weekend getaway at Hotel Impala. Since I didn't have a car, I liked the fact that the hotel was close to everything yet not a "see-and-be-seen scene" hotel. It was pretty and clean and convenient. The front desk staff members were helpful and friendly but not invasive. Without my asking, the manager (Roz) extended my checkout time by two hours to better accommodate my departing flight and volunteered to call a cab for me. Several of the staff members also made helpful suggestions regarding what to see and do... which I ignored because I just wanted to do what I wanted to do when I wanted to do it. :) However, I'm certain that they would have booked day-tours and cruise-type things for me had I expressed interested, because one of the staffers (Richie) offered to first thing when I arrived.

ABOUT ME & MY MEAL @ SPIGA:
I had the grilled tuna with avocados and tomatoes which was terrific. And all of the desserts are house-made by the chef so I ordered the TIRAMISU. Perfection! I sat outside which was delightful... excepting the pesky mosquitos buzzing about. Noting my dilemma, my server offered to move me indoors. But since I persisted in sticking it out outside (it really was SO delightful), he offered to provide me with OFF Skintastic spray at no additional charge. I gratefully accepted. Problem solved.

I did, however, NOT see Julia Roberts or Puff Daddy dining there which was, as you can imagine, REALLY disappointing given the reviews and all.

*sigh.

HELPFUL HINTS:
1. If you must have a hair dryer, pack one. Or you could say to yourself, "Hey, I'm on vacation! Why bother?! I'll let my hair AIR dry." Crazy thought. Which is why I brought my straightener.

2. If you need complete silence while you sleep, don't vacation in South Beach. Or you could bring ear plugs. Doing so can be a helpful strategy for combatting rowdy youngsters who like to have fun late at night while they're on vacation. FYI: This works like a charm in the city that never sleeps, too.

3. If you plan on seeing Julia Roberts or Puff Daddy while you're in town, I can't in good conscience recommend that you dine at SPIGA. Celebrity sightings rarely strike twice... But if all you want is a great meal, gracious servers, and a good glass of wine, well, suit yourself and go to SPIGA.

4. If you want a chocolate left on your pillow, buy some at the GHIRADELLI store on Lincoln Road and put them there yourself... if you can manage to get any of them back to the hotel before scarfing them down. YUM.

5. If you're a high-maintenance complainer, do yourself a favor and don't go anywhere at all. Why spoil a perfectly good vacation with a rotten attitude? There must be plenty of things to nit-pick about wherever it is that you're from. Of course, that's probably why you want to get away in the first place, right? Hmmm.

CLOSING REMARKS:
If you really need your vacation to be exactly the way you need it to be, well, that's okay. Just know what you need before you go wherever you go... and be willing to pay for it.

For me, The Impala was exactly what I needed... this time around.

Our room was small but adequate. No amenities, such as irons or hair dryers. Staff was courteous and helpful when needed. Complimentary breakfast at hotel next door was just fine. BUT - the nightclub behind the hotel was pounding in our ears until 5 or 6 in the morning! We had been aware of the problem so we asked to be placed in a room at the front of the hotel. Still - it was unbearable and we got little sleep! I would not stay here again - and would only suggest it for young folks who want to join in the South Beach nightlife all night long! Too bad to have one business ruin things for its neighbors....

Booked rooms for a wedding in January on a recommendation. The place was ok but the rooms were very dark but nice. There is lot's of construction going on in area so be prepared. Location is key for this hotel right on main strip and 1 block off ocean which is convenient. If you're looking for an affordable stop in S. Beach this may be for you but if you want luxury look else where.

We read the reviews on tripadvisor and decided to stay here. Just after we booked our trip the reviews were not so good anymore. Instead of cancelling we thought to see for ourselves.
For the rate you pay for one night this hotel is absolutely overrated. The breakfast is totally ridiculous. You have to go to the hotel next door - Flora - there is no decent seating during breakfast and for the amount of money you pay for one night this breakfast is what you can expect in the YMCA or youthhostel. The reception people are not very friendly either. They just do their job, but we had to ask where the breakfast is served and so on. Nothing special - not rude - but no kindness either.
The room is nice but really small. The aircon made a lot of noise, and the cool air was blown just across the bed, making it impossible to leave it on at night. We had no view, dark room and we could see we would have done so moch better with other hotels in Miami Beach.
So to make a long story short: it was maybe number one on the Tripadvisor, but it is dropping really fast.
We didn't like it, would not recommend it, would not return since it is overrated and not value for money.
It's nice, clean, but nothing special.