While I don’t love reviewing things that really didn’t live up to the expectation, I must make an exception for Le Dune Suites as a cautionary tale. A beachfront hotel…turns out not exactly…purporting to be a chic boutique property thanks to some great marketing. While it was fine and any other weekend than a special occasion would probably have us committed to our reservation. However, after one sleepless night, we aborted mission and ran away from the property. That’s the story in a nutshell, but let’s start with the positive… the pool.

A beautiful pool on the second floor of the hotel manages to overlook some palm trees of the beach about a block away. The service was good and it would make for a very pleasant afternoon.

However, we booked the hotel for the beach, which was across the street through a complex full of restaurants and bars. It felt more like the tackiest part of South Beach (neon heart-shaped lights included) than romantic boutique vibe. The beach was small and chair set up, crowded. While, probably a great place for families with shallow, placid water, it just wasn’t how we saw our anniversary.

Outside the hotel, you can trust Google maps street view, there is what can only be described as a “wasteland”. The lots adjacent are overgrown with foliage and full of trash, including discarded furniture. On the walk into town, you pass about no one as the street is a mix of residential beach condos and garbage. I don’t often feel unsafe, but I did here, even being with the Gentleman, as on the return walk there were certainly some sketchy characters in cars or otherwise. No snaps of that, so let’s talk room.

What on earth is this coral fire alarm???? More so, the bed was hard and the walls were noisy. Lots of hallway activity of young children then at 8am(!) housekeeping. Even if the bed were comfortable, there was no sleeping in.

The bathroom was spacious enough, but nothing special. The shower had only a large format hand soap, but did feature a rusted shower caddy that looked like it had come straight from a dorm room.

Our ground level terrace overlooked the car park.

While there was nothing so terribly wrong with the hotel. It is a manageable property, but to us it just didn’t have any of the features we were looking for on vacation. Maybe if you have young children and are looking for a real budget beach, this could work. Aside from the pool, nothing gave you a sigh that said, ‘amazing, I’m on vacation.’ Avoid, avoid, avoid.