Archive for February, 2012

Pretty! Even with a peekabo bathroom…

From what we can tell, a South American company called Lennox Corp Miami bought this property in December 2010–no doubt with plans of rescuing it from an episode of Hotel Hell, if this lone TripAdvisor review of the Peter Miller is anything to go by.

Also purchased in the sale was a a block of units on 19th Street and another (the Peter Miller Apartments) on nearby Liberty Avenue. No plans for the buildings were announced at the time, although details are now starting to emerge, starting with these renderings by Kobi Karp Architecture, who are also hard at work on restoring the Versailles further up the beach.

We also learned from the Miami Beach Preservation Board files, that Lennox Miami Corp has applied for permission to partly demolish, renovate and restore all three buildings–and to construct a new 5-story structure, “as part of a new hotel development.”

Perhaps the best sign of what’s to come at Lennox Hotel South Beach can be found down in Argentina, at the Lennox Hotel Buenos Aires? It has the same ‘Lennox Hotels’ logo that appears in the rendering of the revamped Peter Miller Hotel, so this must be the same company.

In other words, this lil hotel has a lot more in common with the ill-fated Cipriani project than we first realized: both involve dashing Argentine heroes swooping in to save a doomed Miami Beach hotel project. Happy endings for all?

Let’s not get ahead of ourselves…

[Renderings: KobiKarp.com]

Article source: http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2012/2/27/211511/136

So, where did we find this kiosk of joy? At The Palms Aveda Spa, of course. We’re familiar with the place, having gotten an awesome Miami Spa Month deal here a couple of years back, and we like the look of their regular menu and reasonable prices no matter the time of year. The fact that the spa offers so many smaller versions of their bestselling products only makes us love it even more.

In fact, we wish more hotels offered us this much choice–and convenience. (We don’t usually check bags, people. Keep it small!)

Of course, shopping this spa lineup is not quite the same as getting to swipe the ‘freebies’ from our hotel room.

Although when faced with the scenario of stealing toiletries off a housekeeping cart, asking the front desk for–yes, really–a third fresh batch of All-Sensitive Moisturizer or paying for our own choice of Aveda goodies downstairs, we think we’d happily fork over a few bucks at the spa.

Tell us: which travel-sized beauty products and toiletries do you wish more hotels would stock–or sell? Share your hotel toiletries wish list with us in the comments below.

Article source: http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2012/2/28/222918/688

Here’s a look at what to expect out the front of the hotel, along Collins Avenue. The frontyard furniture kinda reminds us of the backyard at Delano and those seats up on the porch look like a great perch for one of South Beach’s favorite pastimes–people watching.

There are no opening rates or reservations links activated on the SLS South Beach website as yet, but we’ll bring you the deets as soon as they’re announced. Considering the caliber of this project and the hotel’s enviable location, we’re expecting rates to be in line with Delano et. al., which would place it in the $300-400 a night range.

[Photo: HotelChatter; rendering: sbe.com]

Article source: http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2012/2/27/73434/2242

Miami Hotel Mambo / Snapshot / Hotel Construction / Hotel Openings / Menin Hotels / Hotel Design / ? All Tags

First Glimpses of Gale South Beach

Where: 1690 Collins Ave [map], Miami Beach, FL, United States, 33139

Another day, another look at a new Miami Beach hotel in the works. This time, we bring you a snapshot of what will be The Gale South Beach.

It’s located directly opposite the Delano and was at one point owned by Morgans Hotel Group. Now, however, it’s part of Menin Hotels, who anticipate that Gale will open by the end of the year. (Hmm…We’d like to see some walls before we put our money on that.)

The pops of yellow in the room rendering remind us of the new-look rooms at Shelborne, Menin’s flagship property a block away on Collins Avenue, and wall art certainly seems to be a new trend. (At least it’s not another chick on the wall…)

Article source: http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2012/2/23/92653/9675

Hotel chef de cuisine Andrew Balick will be grilling up his Grilled Lamb Burger at the outdoor, oceanfront restaurant from 5 p.m., which means you get all the fun of al fresco South Beach dining and none of the silly Burger Bash lines.

Or, we must point out, the ridiculous cost. A Burger Bash ticket costs $225. The Lamb Burger at DiLido is $18.

DiLido is keeping the fun going tomorrow night with an all-you-can-eat rustic Crab Boil with whole blue crab and all the fixins’ for $28.

Both events will also feature signature cocktails, a DJ, and the chance to peek through the hotel’s enormous Full Moon Party telescopes. (Although we don’t think there’s any prizes for being the first to spot Rachael Ray or Guy Fieri.)

[Photo: Courtesy Ritz-Carlton South Beach]

Article source: http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2012/2/24/10106/1994

There’s definitely construction going on here, although when we asked King and Grove if this was indeed one of their properties, a representative said they could not confirm or comment on the rumor at this time.

Hmm. There’s a fairly new company incorporated in Florida called Versailles On The Ocean, LLC, which lists Joseph Chetrit as the principal. And we know Chetrit has been funding some of King and Grove’s other projects. We also found this rendering of what the new and improved Versailles is going to look like–pretty swanky.

Finally, Miami Beach Historic Preservation Board documents show that the work on the property will include the partial demolition, renovation and restoration of an existing 9-story building and an existing 13-story building, plus the construction of a new 10-story multifamily building with a rooftop pool deck at the rear of the site.

The 1940 lobby of the hotel will be substantially restored and there are also plans for a new 2-story high restaurant along Collins Avenue.

Whether King Grove G is behind the restoration of Versailles or not–and we’re thinking they are–this is going to be a pretty cool new hotel. Having more than one King Grove hotel in Miami would also be cool, as the company’s aesthetic and vibe makes sense in such a beachy, glam location.

We have our fingers crossed.

[Photos: HotelChatter. Rendering: Kobi Karp Architecture]

Article source: http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2012/2/22/125841/075

If you’re vain enough to actually book the Sagamore package, you’ll secure yourself a scalp massage and hair styling for two at Muse Beauty Suite, ‘a small but sexy discount’ of 10% off your room rate, two free ‘Sexy on the Beach’ cocktails at the pool bar, and a 1 p.m. late check-out so you can be as vain and sexy as long as possible.

The rates are not what we’d call particularly sexy, starting from $525 a night, but then again it is now the height of The Season in Miami. The package is valid through April 30 and the rate code you need to know is SOP.

We also usually think of Soho Beach House as more pretty than sexy, but its bathrooms alone can definitely push it into the vain category.

Once upon a time we would have added Gansevoort South to this list but The Perry South Beach, as it’s now known, seems past its brief and heady heyday, although STK is still waving the flag as a sexy steakhouse.

What are your picks for the Vainest Hotels in Miami? Let us know in the comments below.

[Photos: Inset courtesy Sagamore; HotelChatter]

Article source: http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2012/2/15/95932/0307

Here’s a shot taken from the north of the Edition to show you just how lovely those ocean views are going to be–and how quickly you’ll be able to pop on down for a dip when staying here.

Built in 1955, the former Seville Beach Resort building is, of course, protected so the demolition and restoration must undergo stringent revision from Miami Beach’s Historic Preservation Board. Their reports tell us that Edition is building a three-stroy rooftop addition to the existing hotel, as well as constructing a new 16-story ground level addition on the north side of the site and a 5-story ground level addition on the south side.

It also looks like they want to demolish the existing cabanas, although they’re still standing for now, as you can see in our shot below.

They actually look kinda glam in that MiMo curved design. We hope the cabanas maintain some of that Rat Pack-era razzle dazzle even if they’re rebuilt from scratch.

[Photos: HotelChatter]

Article source: http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2012/2/16/83933/8709

According to the hotel’s website, the cabanas were going to debut in early 2012. Clearly, that’s a little ambitious but with any luck the fancy new digs will be open before it gets really hot on the beach. In comparison to the more basic draped-style cabanas Loews already has, the new cabanas will be bi-level permanent structures with private rooftops, sliding glass doors, plush furniture and flatscreen TVs.

No word yet on how much it will cost to rent one of these babies but, based on prices at other SoBe hotels, expect a rental fee of $200 or more.

We’re also waiting to hear which lucky chef or restaurant will take the place of Emeril’s at Loews Miami Beach. The celeb-chef’s restaurant closed here last summer and so far there has been no announcement of what’s moving in. (For now, guests can dine at Preston’s, a Mediterranean/Floribbean restaurant, or the lobby sushi bar Sushi SoBe.)

Perhaps Loews is waiting to break the big news during the South Beach Wine Food Festival , which kicks off in 10 days? The hotel is the official HQ of the festival, and will be full of star chefs and foodie fans.

Heard anything about the Loews resto plans? Share your scoop in the comments below!

Article source: http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2012/2/13/74952/2232

An upscale hostel that isn’t an Ace Hotel? Whatever could it be! Right now, the Indian Creek Hotel already looks and sounds like a fun hipster hotel (if in desperate need of some upgrades.) We especially like their honesty on their website:

Our service is friendly and nice. We do not have fancy phones or room service, but we do care and our staff hustles. For quick snacks we have a very cool, analog snack machine on premises.

The hotel also promises guests some of the best cocktails in Miami. And even though the Sydell Group plans on turning the place into a hostel, right now it looks like every one of the rooms has its own bathroom.

But if this recent “review” on TripAdvisor is to be believed, the Indian Creek Hotel will be changing drastically:

The new owners plan to pack 4 to 6 people to a room and have noisy programs and bars and restaurants throughout the property. This historic gem of comfort, beauty, and calm and will be no more. We have been regulars and just returned from a lovely stay at the hotel (It has not changed yet, but workmen are starting to come around.) that, sadly, will be our last.

That is sad. But we can’t help but wonder again, if it’s not going to be an Ace Hotel, what will it be? If you got some scoop, tip us off!

[Photo via TripAdvisor]

Article source: http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2012/2/6/152925/4327