Universal Palms Hotel – Oakland Park

Customer service was wonderful. Hotel grounds were lovely. Improvements I would suggest for the hotel: more towels, provide a soap dish, think about adding full length mirrors and replenish necessities in the room. Also, consider better drainage outside due to flooding when it rained.

Þessi gestur skildi ekki eftir umsögn.

Þessi gestur skildi ekki eftir umsögn.

Joel at the front desk was amazing! I was kind of scared because of some previous reviews that this hotel is dirty but the room was very nice and renovated, super clean. Joel bent over backwards for us in customer service, I had an AMAZING time here. He upgraded us to a pool side suite which was very nice of him. I just had surgery so I wanted to make […] sure I was clean and comfortable, I would stay here again if I ever came back. The only thing is, the neighbourhood is a bit scary. The hotel looks old and like a motel on the outside, but the lobby and rooms were fantastic which is what matters! Thanks so much for making our stay enjoyable. Lesa meira

I can not believe this has been given a 3.2 rating - I would NEVER stay here again and would not recommend it. The first room we were given looked as if someone had slept in the beds. There was trash in the bathroom and cups and ice bucket was missing. Second room was little better. Restaurant was a joke - although the food was good - service was terrible. […] Waited for over 15 minutes to be sat down and the piano player had to get up, go into the kitchen and tell the lady people were waiting to be seaqted. Was sat at a table where the wine glasses had lipstick rings all around them, not given a menu until after 20 minutes of sitting there waiting....the waiter, although he tried hard, needs more experience and we were upset that that part of FL automatically sets gratuities in their bills, we would never have tipped him as much as was set on the ticket. The back of the hotel faces a railroad and it appeared there were homeless people living there. Also the bedding was thin - we felt very uncomfortable there. I felt that they did not want to learn from the people staying there - they had no comment cards or any information in the room that is normal or typical for a hotel room. I would never rate this as a 3 star hotel whatsoever..... Lesa meira

I have to say that I was totally duped by the pictures on line. The closeness to the dealing trains and the countless homeless people that wander onto and sleep out in front of the hotel is quite disturbing not to mention the two fights in the parking lot. The clerk at night did not give us our free drink tickets and how messed is it that a discounted […] room is not entitled to the continental breakfast. Second worst hotel stay of my life. Lesa meira

This is not a 3 star hotel, I don't know why it was labeled that way. First, I walk into my room to be greeted by a centipede... yes a centipede. The hotel room was located on the outside of the building, the neighborhood is very sketchy so I did not feel safe. The mattress was so cheap.... it weighed about 2 lbs. I did not sleep very well at all. Every […] 20-30 minutes, and train would roar by my room, shaking my bed, and scaring me awake with the blasts of its horn! This happened all night long! The train track is right next to the hotel and a intersection. This was a nightmare! Lesa meira

Staff are great, pretty basic but the rooms are clean. Would stay there again.

The Universal Palms is located right near the highway and only 10-15 minutes from the airport. The outside of the building looks old, but the interior lobby/pool/restaurant are all very nice and updated. The rooms could use a fresh coat of paint. The staff was very friendly both at the front desk and the maid staff. I would recommend this hotel for […] a one night or maybe two night stay max. Lesa meira

Location of the hotel is awful, it's not a nice neighborhood at all and it's right next to RAILWAY! Trains whistle out all night, so if you wish to sleep I do recommend another hotel. Hotel premises are otherwise fine.

Only complaint was its by the train tracks other than than that overall I was pleased.

The hotel overall is pretty good! Loved the pool/courtyard area. We spent most of our time at the pool. Easy on/off access to 95 and beach areas. The only issues were there were never any towels available for the pool, always had to ask at the desk. Also, the site made it seem like all rooms come with a refrigerator and microwave which was not the case. […] Oh...and the TV channels were limited. They did have some refridges and micros for an extra cost. Food at the restaurant was good. Rooms were clean. All areas of the hotel were clean. WAFFLE HOUSE IS RIGHT NEXT DOOR -- WALKING DISTANCE!!! I'd come back and stay again. Lesa meira

This hotel was a very pleasant surprise. We went there during Spring Break week and picked it because it was affordable. Their rates were among the cheapest but the value for the price was exceptional. Great, attentive staff throughout the hotel. Fun bar with live music most nights and lots of locals like this place. Lovely pool area. And only about […] 10 minutes from the beach. We were there on business and couldn't fault this hotel in any area except its location. Lesa meira

Well, I booked my stay through the mobile app. After about 20 mins I arrived at the hotel and they had no information about my booking. They said come back later even though I had the confirmation email on my phone that I showed them. My room had hair all over the place, in the beds, on the floor, everywhere. There were 40 tv channels, but half were […] in french (I'm not a French Canadian) and many were Spanish. There was an old put-put course behind the hotel, which management had no idea about. Good thing I'm a golfer and carry my sticks everywhere. IF YOU ARE A LIGHT SLEEPER DO NOT STAY HERE. Road noise like crazy and its a stones throw away from the tri-rail commuter train tracks (they run every 15 mins or so). For a quick place to stay it wasn't horrible, I've had better and I have had much much worse but I will not be staying here again. Lesa meira

Þessi gestur skildi ekki eftir umsögn.

Train coming by blowing whistle stunk towels were clean but paper thin dead crickets in my room water pressure was horrible lady at front desk had had time understanding english. need i say more

The new managers have the place looking very nice. The bed was comfortable and the shower was clean and hot. Our event was in Miami, but it was well worth the drive each day. It was private and beautiful decor.

This hotel was ok just somewhere to sleep and get dressed..the bed was horrible..oh yea don't let me for get the train...that seems to run all through the night..i would stay again for the price just have to make sure i take my sleeping pills...

Þessi gestur skildi ekki eftir umsögn.

Too close to railroad very noisy. Lighting very poor in room. Had a desk with no lights. Room was clean. Hotel has a bar restaurant with good nightly entertainment that was good. Pool and outside area was very nice.

It was clean and there was a waffel house. the pool hours were also great but not so good location.

I am not used to writing reviews but since we have started to use them before we reserve hotels now- its' only fair I write them too. First, this hotel is about 15 minutes from the airport (NO SHUTTLE unless you reserve it in advance) and the taxis drive CRAZY. When we arrived at the hotel (we had booked thru Hotel.com - which BTW- the hotel cited as […] a problem many times) - we had a room by the road which was dirty AND even had clothes tags under the sheets, when you pulled over the covers and got into bed!!!! Luckily, we saw this right away and complained. They did give us a room by the pool which was OK for THIS hotel -( nothing great, trust me) but at least we only heard the train minimally. Front staff lady (Susjain?????- something like that) couldn't have been nicer!!! Thank GAWD for her - otherwise- who knows how bad it could have gotten!!!! The beds are very low and you don't want to look too close at the linens.. UGHHH.. don't come here - I highly recommend spending another $50-100 somehwere else and making up any difference on your cruise or vacation later! Lesa meira

My stay at Universal Palms was perfect. Great Location, Quick Friendly Checkin, Marvelous room, and the right Price.

Þessi gestur skildi ekki eftir umsögn.

Positioned next to railway. Poor cleaning as the floor was dirty. Booked a room for 4 but only sheets for 2 people!

Since it was recently rehabbed it was fresh although sometimes painting over older construction shows through. Satisfied.

Not a bad place to stay. Never received my free cock tail as advertised. Wasnt even asked. Room on side of train track which was very loud. A lot of loud people outside but that is not motels fault. Room clean but very basic. Weird sink. Clean linens. AC worked well. SLOW internet service. If you expect to do any work forget it. Not good cable ever. […] New TV but most channels could not watch because of the picture was so blurry. If you want a clean place to sleep for the night this is ok. Lesa meira

It was a very nice hotel. The rooms were all remodeled and were really nice. Very clean. The pool area was beautiful. The location is not very good at all. There is not much to do if you don't have transportation. A few restaraunts with in walking distance but nothing nice. Mostly fast food and a waffle house. Not the best neighborhood. there is a train […] that goes by alot. may bother some people but it didn't bother me I'm used to trains. The service in the restaraunt was not the best. Waited a very long time for a take out order and they forgot to give me dressing, ketchup and silverware. I had to go back and get these items. The staff was very friendly. Lobby was very nice. Lesa meira

Þessi gestur skildi ekki eftir umsögn.

Phone in room did not work, went down and notified front desk, nothing was done even though maintenance was made aware. Room was not up to standard, sink drain was clogged, water went down slow. The room was also freezing and heat didn't work. Very noisy, near trains and neighborhood not to nice ...

Although overall the hotel was clean and met the basic curb appeal test, the neighborhood, and regretfully some of the guests detracted significantly. Conveniently located for access to the airport, I95, and the event we were attending, with an adjacent Waffle House and several other fast food joints within easy walk/drive. There is a hotel shuttle […] for the airport. It was unfortunate that there were drunks, exceptionally unruly children and unnecessarily loud parents on the steps as we went to our room, and in abundance any time we were headed to/from our room. The elevator had an odor...mold? dirty bodies? The staff we dealt with were all attentive and professional, however we did observe one front desk clerk who was terse almost to the point of rude with those dealt with. Our room was lacking the door side of the inside security latch, and there was no toilet paper holder installed, leaving the roll parked on the tank or side of the tub. 2 thin but clean 'bath' towels, 2 hand towels and 2 washcloths were stocked, but a second set of all were gladly provided by the front desk clerk when requested. Additional supplies to suppliment the 2 cups worth of supplies for the coffee pot were also readily and cordially provided. The room was industrial, sparsely appointed, but for all that it was exceptionally clean and we found no leavings from previous guests. We did find an envelope propped up on the lamp blatantly soliciting for a tip for housekeeping. There was no refrigerator or closet, the room safe was exposed but bolted to the floor under the open cloths-hanging bars. The shower went hot immediately, if suffering from mediocre pressure from the water-saver nozzle. The matress was firm, not a pillow-top, and showing signs of wear, but was not rutted, nor did it drive us to the middle of the bed. We did venture over to the Waffle House, and the activities going on in their back parking lot extremely disconcerting. If you're looking for an affordable hotel for a qu Lesa meira

Beware! this hotel is directly (and i mean a few yards) away from a freight train track that runs non stop all day and night and blows its whistle very loudly about every 10-15 minutes. It was impossible to get any sleep. On top of that, the maintenance workers and maids on the property are very loud, yelling to each other across the corridors beginning […] at 6 in the morning. Plus, I had the privacy sign on my door yet, the maid still came in. Its too bad because the other aspects of the hotel were ok. The room was reasonably comfortable, there is a bar in the lobby and the pool area is cute, but who wants to sit at the pool with that train ruining the experience? Lesa meira

hotel is being upgrded. Nice older hotel. Too close to rail line. Trains run early in amblowing whistles and rumbling by. Too noisey early am

Hotel was very noisy, the train that runs right behind the hotel wakes you up every day at 6a.m. They had a bunch of construction workers staying there who would drink and play washers in the parking lot until 2 or 3 every morning. The continental breakfast stinks unless you like cereal.

Good service and good experience

The rooms were recently remodeled. Everything in the room was in working order. Restaurant/bar with live music on the first floor opposite the spacious lobby. The only down sides are hotel is close to railroad tracks so you'd periodically hear the trains passing through. In addition, loud guests passing down the hall in the wee hours of the morning. […] More conducive to leisure guests than business because of the noise. Wait staff can be slow in the restaurant. Will recommend to others in spite of the inconveniences. Lesa meira

I stayed here some years ago as the Palacio. Since then the rooms have been improved significantly. The remaining infrastructure needs some attention. The restaurant was excellent. The noise of the trains is a problem; particularly the siren calls in dead of night.

Great hotel. Close to everything. Clean, great price, and staff was very helpful.

The hotel was very clean, staff was friendly, water pressure in shower was terrible, was close to attractions and airport, would stay again

Do not stay here! Hotel by train track, no sleep at all.. very loud. Maid service very bad, no towels left, no coffee refill, no phone in room, very dim lighting, outside of building was dirty...not worth the huge savings i got, would have been better to pay more and receive a lot more. Isolated area, not safe to walk anywhere.

Þessi gestur skildi ekki eftir umsögn.

Clean hotel near the interstate. Great rate for the area. The room was above average and the pool area was beautiful. The surrounding neighborhood was not so great, train tracks were close and noisy.

AT THE END, IT WAS A GROUP OF VERY BAD HOTEL SERVICES, RECEIVED FOR ME AND MY FAMILY.

This hotel is beautiful inside out! The staffs are very friendly. They offer room service every morning and free breakfast everyday. You can invite friends over to the pool or the gym however,they can't stay for the night. The hotel is right for the price and it's close to the fort lauderdale Airport. If you're in fort lauderdale visit this hotel your […] going to love it.:-):-)w Lesa meira

Building is unsecured, doors propt open with garbage cans, indicates just miles from beach. Is over 20 minutes from any beach. Room was dirty and in need of repairs and staff was rude.

Breakfast was not good....only ceral and bagels/toast. How about eggs and bacon??? I have never been to a hotel where I had to pay for local calls. The room was clean but not enough storage for our clothes. The nearby train track was not that bad. We got used to the noise.

I booked this hotel last minute and was sketched out by the weak reviews and fast food around it but it turned out to be a cultural gem. It caters to French Canadians (Quebecois) who winter in Florida. The whole place had a funky french vibe, especially the restaurant where the live band and waitresses barely spoke English and served poutin and meat […] pies. The hotel was nicer than I expected. The elevator was old but the rooms and pool were great. Lesa meira

I had coffee stains on the bed skirt. Also, there were black cuff marks along the bottom part of the bed skirt. I wonder if they have ever replaced it during the holiday season. I asked the manager twice, to get it it fixed. Never was done. When I questioned him upon leaving, the next morning, he said, "my apologies. I thought you mean the side of […] the bed mattress." The guy did not even offer me a discount or a free night stay in the future. He just said, "I apologize." On top of that, they barely had extra quarters for their ONE washer and dryer on the 3rd floor for 325+ hotel rooms. You would think they would have a change at the front desk, without having to specifically ask for it. Place needs a major upgrade. Looks like it's still living in the 1950's. On a positive note, they market to french-canadians, so if you speak french and want to hang with people who do, this place MIGHT be for you. But from a professional hotel stand point, it should be rated 1 star, not 2.5 . The pool was nice, but the service was lousy. As you can imagine, I will never go back there. Lesa meira

Þessi gestur skildi ekki eftir umsögn.

As a frequent traveler, I understand the broad range of hotels' cleanliness and customer service. However, this location required me having to call Hotels.com twice: First, my work required me to work during the evenings and sleep during the day. A certain amount of noise is expected during morning room cleaning; however, they were doing some maintenance […] and installing safes in the room. The loudness of their working was unacceptable. I was then told my their maintenance crew that they would come into my room, even if I had the DO NOT DISTURB card, as they were going to put a safe in my room, regardless of if I slept or not. I saw a glance of the room across that just had a safe installed, and there was dust all over the place. So as a woman, they could enter my room as I slept, and leave dust over all of my belongings? I think not. I called Hotels.com and explained the situation. They immediately called the hotel, which agreed to move me to another room, "which would meet my satisfaction". I was moved to another room, but it was nearly smaller than the other one, with bare floor instead of carpeting! Second, during the first night, I started itching, and on taking a scraping and looking under a high-power magnifying lens, it was bed bugs! So, I had to call Hotels.com again. The front desk personnel seem to care, but the service otherwise? No way. I will never stay here again! Lesa meira