Enjoyed a weekend here during Art Basel in one of the suites on a high floor. Paid over $700/nite, but the huge terrace, attentive service, great pool and location made it pretty much worth it.

Plus:
- Service staff was well trained, always asked if we needed anything else and followed up with us daily to make sure all our needs were met.
- Nice location buy the boardwalk n beach
- Rare upscale hotel that is kid friendly
- Decent room service menu
- Although suite was smallish, huge outdoor terrace and view was excellent

Negatives:
- Not the newest hotel and quite huge
- Not the best deal, but during Miami's big 3 of Art Basel, Boat Show, n Food n Wine rates can easily double and now that the a lot of Brazilians are visiting, no real reason for rates to go down
- Internet service was terrible, didnt like the different service tiers and didnt want to have 30 minutes with tech support just to check my email and look up nearby dining

Stayed here in November 2011 for 3 nights. Everything was fine but not spectacular. The location is good. If you are a runner there is a path along the beach that provides for a good run. The hotel is also close to both shopping and the art deco part of Miami.

While I have nothing bad to say I also was not "wowed"

My wife and I stayed at the Lowes Miami Beach for 5 days. The first 3 days were as part of a business trip, the last two we were on our own.

Everything about the hotel is first rate. Great service, polite staff, clean rooms, great location, nice beach, great spa, restaurant etc. The only problem I have with this hotel is the same problem I have many of the hotels in this class--for the price you pay, some things should be included, or at least reasonably priced, but are not. Examples? I can get free wireless internet at a Holiday Inn. Why can't these guys do that? Want to go to the beach? They want to rent you a chair. They have a nice breakfast buffet--for $28.00 per person. By the time you pay taxes and a gratuity, you find yourself paying nearly $70.00 for breakfast. We had 2 cans of corona from the poolside bar--over $10.00 each. There is no airport shuttle--but they'll flag you a taxi for $33.00. Our only complaint about the hotel itself is that our mattress was not the best--not as comfortable as you might expect--although the linens were top notch.

All in all, we enjoyed this hotel. We would have enjoyed it a whole lot more if we didn't feel quite so much like they have you in an economic headlock at all times. For $300 a night in the middle of a recession, you'd think they might lighten up a bit and provide their guests a little more in the way of value.

The Loews hit me with $37.00 "Guest Parking" charges. I flew into Miami and took cabs; I didn't even rent a car. When I called to complain they were "difficult" and tried to put me on hold; do not let them do it. Demand they fix the problem and call you back. The Breakfast Buffet is $36.12 including the mandatory 20% "gratuity". I asked several servers if they get the 20% "gratuity" and they only get part of it; you are still expected to tip above it. They add 20% "gratuity" to all food and beverage items. I was supposed to have a king balcony room. I ended up with 2 beds and a balcony and I was by myself so that was OK, but at what this place charges I should have had a king. I was on the 16th floor and there were tiny ants in the bathroom. How do tiny ants get into a 16th floor bathroom? If I ever come back to Miami Beach for another conference I think I'll stay another block or 2 from the beach in one of the other premium hotels.