Miami Beach hotels housed guests after coronavirus order shut them down, city says
Three Miami Beach hotels housed paying guests over the weekend in spite of an executive order that shut down hotels unless they were housing “essential guests,” like first responders or displaced guests.
The city discovered the breach of its order on Saturday, when Code Compliance staff responded to reports of unlawful guests at Norman’s Hotel, Boulan Hotel and Sobe You Hotel. All three properties were issued code violations, which may result in fines of up to $1,000 per day and up to $5,000 per day for recurring violations, according to a copy of the violations.
At Norman’s Hotel, 6770 Collins Ave., code officers found 20 rooms booked illegally. Police “went to every room to ensure that the hotel was completely vacated,” a city report states.
At Boulan Hotel, 220 21st St., the city reported that 18 rooms were rented out to guests Saturday. The front desk attendant told the city she was “not aware that the hotel could not operate at this time,” according to a report.
“The officer explained that the condo units who have long-term contracts are okay to stay, but that the tenants who are staying for short term or have newly created contracts must vacate the premise immediately,” the report states.
The city found three rooms illicitly booked at the nine-room Sobe You Hotel, located at 1018 Jefferson Ave.
“The complainant stated that the Sobe You Hotel had loud music,” a report documenting the violation states. “The complainant also stated there are guests staying at the hotel and the Hotel should be closed as per city order.”
The city ordered virtually all hotels closed, except for those housing long-term tenants or essential lodgers, on March 23. Miami-Dade County issued a similar order after the city announced its new rules.
Approved lodgers include displaced residents, healthcare workers or other essential employees. The residents of apartment buildings or condominiums, which may include hotel units, are also excluded from the order.
All other guests were to be cleared out in March, with hotels restricted from accepting most new guests.
Since the order was imposed, only three other hotel properties have been issued violations in Miami Beach, according to the city. The Bellamar Hotel, 220 31st St., was cited on March 24, a day after the order took effect. The city cited New Age 2012 LLC, 807 Alton Rd., on April 5 and Princess Ann Hotel, 920 Collins Ave., on April 10.
This story was originally published May 7, 2020 at 6:57 PM.
.JPG)