33139 Travel Guide
Miami Hotel Mambo / sbe / Redbury Hotels / Hotel Openings / Hotel Hype / Hotel News / → All Tags
The Redbury South Beach is For Real and It's Opening This Fall Too
We had the news yesterday that the SBE company would be spinning off their Redbury Hotel in Miami but today, we've got the full lowdown from SBE themselves. And it's good, like really good.
First off, The Redbury South Beach will open this fall. Wham, bam, thank you mam! As you can see from the Twitpic from @DeeTCL, work is already underway. (The hotel is opening out of the old Fairfax Hotel.)
Word is the design will be inspired by its Hollywood roots but will also weave in the art deco vibe of South Beach. All in all, the hotel will have 69 rooms and suites.
Restauranteurs Larry Levy and Bob Heyat are responsible for bringing in the hip food & beverage offerings including the lobby restaurant, Lorenzo, which will be helmed by James Beard Award-winning Chef Tony Mantuano who has four great restaurants in Chicago, include Spiagia and Terzo Piano at the Art Institute. As you can guess, the restaurantwill serve up authentic Italian cuisine.
Hotel Closings / Miami Hotel Mambo / Menin Hotels / Wyndham Hotels / Hotel News / → All Tags
[UPDATED] The Shelborne South Beach is Closing for Renovations, Maybe for Good
[UPDATE, 5.14.13: Wyndham Hotels has given an explanation of what's going on with the hotel. Scroll down for that statement. UPDATE, 5.16.13: Menin Hotels have also given us a statement saying that would retain ownership of the hotel. Full statement is below the Wyndham statement.
Could there soon be one less hotel in Miami, a town that's been riding a recent hotel boom? Possibly.
We got a tip last week from one of our trusted South Beach spies saying that the Wyndham-operated Shelborne South Beach hotel would be closing and instead would reopen as a condo building. (Already the hotel is partially made up of condo units which are typically rented out to visiting guests.)
Sure enough, we headed to the hotel's website and found this note:
The Shelborne will have a limited number of rooms available June 1 - October 31, 2013 during its amazing transformation into South Beach’s newest lifestyle luxury resort, the Shelborne Wyndham Grand-South Beach.
Despite this "limited number of rooms" mention, we've got word that the hotel is indeed closing completely during the renovations and there are still whispers that it will reopen only as a timeshare. We're still sifting through the Shelborne shards but this is what we do know:
The hotel underwent a renovation back in 2011 so at first glance, it may seem too soon to have yet another facelift. But the reality is, some of those condo-hotel units are in bad shape as the owners were not obligated to renovate their units. HotelChatter saw how dire some of those rooms were when we stayed at the property back in December. This was our take on the place:
The Shelborne's suite had last been furnished in the early 1990s, the dining chairs were broken, the mattress was so old you could feel the springs, the tables were scratched and water-damaged, the art was like that of a greasy strip mall generic Asian restaurant, the floors felt so dusty we were relieved to have brought slippers from our last hotel, and the power outlet actually shocked us as we tried to plug in our phone charger. Firetrap much?
Need more convincing of the shifty state of the Shelborne? Just take a gander at some of the hotel's recent TripAdvisor reviews.
Miami Hotel Mambo / Hotel News / Pestana Hotels / Miami Hotels / South Beach Hotels / → All Tags
Pestana Opens First US Property in South Beach
The Pestana South Beach Art Deco Hotel opened this morning in Miami where the old Hotel Milejan used to be (don't we sound like your grandparents?), becoming the first Portuguese-owned hotel to open in the States. The property offers 97 rooms and suites throughout four historically preserved Art Deco buildings, a retro cafe (see photo below) and a pool bar set on a 1940’s inspired patio with an outdoor pool (see above).
Pestana picked South Beach for the location of its initial US property because of the area's existing reputation and popularity among its current clients in Europe and South America.
“North America is a very attractive and strategic market for the Group Pestana. This is our first investment in this market and Miami is a natural starting point because it is a gateway for Europe and South America where our brand is quite strong,” said José Roquette, Pestana’s development director for the North American market.
Hotel Sales / Hotel Woes / Hotel Management / Morgans Hotel Group / Hotel News / → All Tags
Morgans Hotel Group Says Hasta Luego to The Delano South Beach
It's big news for the Delano Hotel South Beach, a hotel that's been a Miami institution since, well, forever-and-a-day. Their owner, NYC-based Morgans Hotel Group announced it's selling its stakes in the hotel and associates The Light Group, and would offer $100 million to help settle the current debt of $230 million to a buyer. Whoa.
The hotel group has apparently been trying to unload the Delano since 2002, and has apparently posted a financial loss since 2007, according to OTK Associates LLC, the largest shareholder of Morgans Hotel Group Co. So, no doubt they had a hand in pressuring Morgans to dump the Delano, pronto.
Morgans has signed agreements with The Yucaipa Companies, a firm owned by uber-wealthy Ron Burkle, to desist Yucaipa's interest in Morgans stock, stock warrants, and convertible notes, and instead take ownership of the Delano and the Light Group. However, Morgans would still operate the Delano thanks to a pre-agreement asking for long-standing management agreement.
Are you hella confused yet? No worries, we were too, and had to read this manifesto post-and-pre-cocktail time. So we're agree there are no plain words to explain this business. But hold on, keep still, there's more after the jump.
Hotel Renovations / Miami Hotel Mambo / Hotel Reviews / Florida Hotels / Setai Hotels / → All Tags
Asian Influence Lives on at Revamped Setai Miami Beach
Singapore-based GHM hotels oversees some pretty cool properties (the elephant-themed Chedi Club outside of Ubud, Bali is a particular favorite), and The Setai has long been considered the brand's flagship. It's a serene, Asian-inspired sanctuary amid the hub-bub of Miami's South Beach. (Side note: Did you know the word "Setai" is actually a made-up combo of the Balinese words for "south" and "beach", or SoBe? It's the Brangelina of hotel names...)
So as fans, it was with some trepidation we took the news that The Setai had left the GHM roster for the management of Dallas-based Trevi Luxury Hospitality Group. (Especially given the way it all went down.) With all the hotel buzz in Miami—including the arrival of instant-hotspot The James—was The Setai looking to pump up the volume? Were DJs going to appear in its mellow courtyard—or worse, would it make like its neighbors and start charging for beach chairs?
Miami Hotel Mambo / Hotel Makeovers / Boutique Hotels / Hotel Design / → All Tags
Sense South Beach Gets a Miami-rific Makeover
It's almost three years since we asked the question: What Is The Sense Hotel South Beach? We always thought that the Sense South Beach Hotel was in a great location--in the SoFi (South of Fifth Street) neighborhood and close to Ocean Drive. But it was under-the-radar and somewhat mysterious.
Until now! Like so many American Idol contestants before it, Sense has undergone a major transformation. It's even got a brand spankin' new name: Sense Beach House. (Reckon they're hoping people confuse it with Soho Beach House? Just maybe? )
We never stayed here in its former incarnation, but by the look of these pictures the hotel's PR team sent us, the place is now super cute and angling to appear in the pages of Coastal Living magazine. Check out the lobby...
Hotel News / Hotel Delays / Miami Hotel Mambo / Edition Hotels / Marriott Hotels / Ian Schrager / Florida Hotels / Miami Hotels / → All Tags
It's An Additional Year's Wait For Miami's Edition
We should know better than to get emotional when we hear of hotel construction delays—but there’s something about this one that hits a bit hard. We’d hoped that Ian Schrager’s new project with Marriott, the Miami Beach Edition, would indeed open this spring has previously reported. But, in an interview with the Miami Herald, the hotelier said it wouldn’t open until 2014.
Gah.
Unlike any Marriott we’ve ever stayed at, this one promises to be pretty badass with a nightclub, bowling alley and an ice skating rink. This means we can throw a strike, do a triple toe-loop, and pop that all in one night! Is it no wonder we’re crying in our cornflakes? Let’s get this wrapped up, Mr. Schrager.
Read more for what's in store..
Hotel Restaurants / Dream Hotels / Miami Hotel Mambo / South Beach Hotels / → All Tags
Dream South Beach's Serafina Has a Secret Ingredient
We already told you about the arrival of Serafina, the new Italian restaurant at the Dream South Beach. But what we've since learned is that Serafina has something pretty special going for it — something few Miami hotel restaurants get right, including the two chefs who struggled to get this space going in the past 12 months.
The secret ingredient? Common sense. Yes, the Pizza Tartufo Nero (pictured above) is to-die-for. Just like the Prosciutto & Bufaline, the Farfalle al Limoncello and the boozy popsicles for dessert. But it's what all of these dishes have in common that makes Serafina a standout in a city awash in mediocre Italian restaurants: the fact that they're actually perfectly suited to the climate.
HotelChatter 2012 Awards / Hotel Openings / Miami Hotel Mambo / Miami Hotels / SLS Hotels / Sam Nazarian / Philippe Starck / → All Tags
Best Hotel Opening of 2012: SLS South Beach
It's that time of year again: the 2012 HotelChatter Awards! Today and Monday, we'll be showcasing the best (and worst) of hotels over the past year. But we couldn't do it without you! Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or shoot us an email. And the Award goes to...
If you've been following the ups and downs of the Miami hotel scene this year, you already know that the opening of SLS South Beach was a big deal. Beachfront property on a prime stretch of Collins Ave, dazzling Philippe Starck design (with a little help from Lenny Kravitz), and, of course, those absurd 750lb silver ducks.
But SLS South Beach also managed to assert itself as a key player in the international hotel scene as well, transcending its local celebrity status to become something people all over the world were talking about. It didn't hurt that, several months after opening, it was primed to host VIP events during Miami's buzziest time of the year: Art Basel.
Needless to say, we had some pretty high expectations when we checked into the SLS in June. And the hotel didn't disappoint one bit. In fact, we enjoyed hanging in our City View King room so much, we barely even noticed it was missing the complimentary iPad (which is supposed to be included with all the rooms).
From the cozy day bed to the compact pink-and-white bathrooms to the well-stocked minibar, it was clear that this hotel not only looks good but is incredibly functional too.
Hotel Restaurants / Miami Hotel Mambo / Kim Kardashian / Florida Hotels / → All Tags
Sushi and Star-Gazing at Shelborne Hotel's Newest Restaurant
If you’re looking for fabulous stargazing and sushi in Miami, look no further than the newly-opened Sushi MiKasa in the Shelborne Hotel.
Reality TV star (and Kim Kardashian BFF) Jonathan Cheban teamed up with Chef Kevin, who’s known for dishing out top quality sushi on New York City’s Upper East Side joint Sushi Seki, to open the restaurant, which exudes glamour with peacock blue velvet draped walls and gold accents.
Boasting a private entrance (naturally, for Cheban’s celebrity friends), the space accommodates only 62 guests, and Cheban exclusively talks with HotelChatter on why he thinks this new venture will be successful.
Miami Hotel Mambo / Hotel News / SBE Hotels / Hotel Management / Sam Nazarian / Florida Hotels / Historic Hotels / Miami Hotels / → All Tags
W SoBe Owner and SLS Master Finally Admit To Buying Miami’s Raleigh Hotel
Today, David Edelstein – owner of W South Beach – and Sam Nazarian – the wizard behind the sbe brand and owner of the new SLS Hotel South Beach announced plans to join ranks and buy Miami’s Raleigh Hotel.
Now, when we chatted over this in August, no one wanted to make an official comment. It was like some weird FB relationship status--"I won't change mine until you change yours!" OK. Now we know you're together.
Both men, famous for their hotel business savvy, will scoop up the landmark Raleigh from the Brilla Group and set out to revamp the Art Deco property that was the place to be when it opened in the ‘40s on Collins Avenue.
Listen, this is a powerful partnership—Edelstein is known for the trendy W hotel and developing such areas as Miami’s Lincoln Road mall, and Nazarian’s sbe group has dominated the swank SLS brand for a minute. Big $$ and big dream at work, here.
But, will these forward thinkers respect and keep the hotel’s historical identity in mind?
Hotel Amenities / Hotel iPads / Hotel Apps / SLS Hotels / Miami Hotel Mambo / Hotel Tech / Room Service / Hotel Champagne / → All Tags
Dying For A Glass Of Champagne? There's A Hotel App For That
Yesterday, we showed you a newfangled device that helps guests suss out all the dining/beverage/activites options available in the hotel they're staying at. But what if you're so darn lazy comfortable that you'd just rather not leave your room at all?
Well, the obvious answer is: room service.
But SLS South Beach takes that notion one step further, with a new feature on the hotel's app called "Bring Me Bubbles." With the tap of an iPad screen, you can rush-order a $50 bottle of Avinyo Cava or, if you're feeling generous, then perhaps a $148 bottle of Lanson Ivory Label Demi-Sec Champagne—and it'll show up at your door in less than 20 minutes.
