I stayed at Newport Beach Hotel & Resort in Miami during Hurricane Milton and was very disappointed, especially with their claim of being pet-friendly. The only area to walk my dogs was a small patch of grass right next to a busy highway, and to get there, I had to walk them through a noisy construction zone and valet parking area, which felt unsafe and scared my dogs. This setup was not pet-friendly at all.
The hotel failed to mention ongoing construction during booking, which meant the restaurant and gift shop were closed. The cleanliness of the room and hallways was poor, with dirty carpets and even a cockroach spotted upon check-in. Thin walls made for a noisy stay, and there was an unpleasant smell in the room at night.
Check-out was a hassle, as we had to wait for a luggage cart and then were forced to leave our belongings in the lobby before pulling the car up. The valet process was chaotic, and one staff member was rude, trying to make us go back in line unnecessarily.
The only positives were that most staff members were friendly, and the hotel provided protection from the storm. However, the lack of a safe pet area and the overall disorganized experience made this a stay I would not recommend, especially for pet owners.