Tasked with reinventing the modern South Beach resort, hotelier Ian Schrager partners with Marriott International to craft a 21st Century escape dedicated to the particular wants of the sophisticated traveler. Back in 1995 when Schrager first opened the Delano Hotel, he raised the bar for upscale accommodations on Miami Beach. Taking a cue from the existing Art Deco landscape, he put forth a property of cutting-edge design, unique contemporary furnishings and countless yards of sheer white drapes. “The fundamentals were always there: the ocean, the beach, the weather, the frequent flights,” Schrager notes. “All one had to do, it seemed to me, was create something special and comfortable…” Now, 20 years later, the Delano still provides a breathtaking guest experience at every touchpoint.
As Miami Beach prepared for the global art market Art Basel 2014, the Miami Beach EDITION at 2901 Collins Avenue made final preparations for its formal debut. For one very special week in December, some of the most wealthy and influential travelers descend upon the city and major media outlets provide wall-to-wall coverage of the cultural and social events in the pivitol weeks leading up to the Christmas holidays. As cold weather takes over global capitals, images of the jetset partying on South Beach make a lasting impression on many future tourists.
Located in a historic oceanfront section just north of South Beach, the EDITION is built to satisfy the next generation of traveler, combining the best elements of a guest’s stay; a great vacation, an opportunity for relaxation and a reliable place to work. Travelers can move seamlessly through a resort that is totally in tune with their digital devices, leaving them free to work, network and socialize everywhere or flip that switch and embrace the soothing sounds of the sea.
Crafted from the landmark 1955 Seville hotel, architect Melvin Grossman’s MiMo masterpiece, the fully renovated EDITION preserves the historic significance of the property as it celebrates the era’s tropical elegance. Designed to evoke a sense of barefoot chic, the lobby offers a panoramic ocean view and pristine Carrara marble floors that reflect the sunlight. A classic Miami Beach coffee shop called Market serves gourmet fast food as imagined by Michelin star Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Schrager wanted the restaurant to be the perfect spot to start the day or to end up after a night on the town.
Closer to the sea, the Ocean Bar offers an elegant oasis for cocktails overlooking the Atlantic coast and the Matador Room restaurant gives Chef Jean-Georges the opportunity to showcase his modern riffs on classic Latin cuisine. Creating a seasonal menu of large and smaller plates, the kitchen takes its cue from the fresh produce, meat and seafood that are so abundant in South Florida. The adjacent grounds of the resort, named “Tropicale” in honor of the historic Havana nightclub, were landscaped by Madison Cox into a series of outdoor rooms where guests can wander under the stars. The Terrace Bar faces the swimming pool and a private beachside area offers outdoor movie screenings, a romantic fire pit, and twenty-eight private bungalows.
Downstairs, guests can enjoy a unique Basement entertainment complex with a nightclub, a bowling lounge with artfully customized shoes and an indoor ice skating rink with dynamic music and swirling lights. Upstairs, 294 guestrooms and suites are luxuriously appointed with warm wood finishes and beach house styling. More than twenty years ago, the Delano Hotel offered a bright white canvas upon which guests could paint all the colors of a Miami Beach vacation. The brand new EDITION serves up a colorful, tropical oasis where guests can do everything – or nothing – in absolute comfort and true Florida style.
The Miami Beach EDITION, 2901 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach 786.257.4500. There are currently EDITION hotels in London & Istanbul and plans for properties in multiple cities throughout the world.