Long before Miami became one of the world’s most desirable luxury travel destinations, Delano was helping to shape the city’s identity. Following a highly anticipated transformation, the legendary South Beach property has now reopened its doors, ushering in a new chapter that honours its remarkable legacy while reimagining the guest experience for a new generation of travellers.
Located on Collins Avenue in the heart of South Beach, the reopening represents one of the most significant luxury hotel launches in Miami in recent years. More than simply the return of a famous hotel, it marks the revival of a property that helped redefine hospitality itself.
Originally opened in 1947, the building enjoyed renewed international attention in 1995 when hotel visionary Ian Schrager and acclaimed designer Philippe Starck transformed it into a pioneering lifestyle hotel. At a time when luxury hospitality was often formal and predictable, Delano introduced something entirely different: a destination that blurred the lines between hotel, social hub, design statement and cultural landmark.
Its soaring white curtains, dramatic interiors and instantly recognisable pool became synonymous with South Beach’s rise to global prominence. Celebrities, artists, designers and travellers flocked to Delano, helping establish Miami as one of the world’s most influential hospitality destinations.
Now, after an extensive restoration led by Elastic Architects, Delano returns with a renewed sense of purpose. The redesign carefully balances preservation and progression, ensuring the property’s distinctive character remains intact while elevating every aspect of the guest experience. Original architectural features have been restored throughout, including the iconic entrance framed by towering white columns, terrazzo flooring and many of the details that made Delano one of the most photographed hotels in America.
The property now features 171 guestrooms, suites and poolside bungalows, many offering sweeping views across the Atlantic Ocean. Interiors have been refreshed with a softer, more residential aesthetic that reflects the relaxed sophistication of contemporary Miami while maintaining the theatrical spirit that defined the hotel’s original reinvention.
While the physical transformation is significant, the reopening also introduces an entirely new culinary identity.
For the first time in the United States, Delano has partnered with Paris Society, the internationally renowned hospitality group behind some of Europe’s most sought-after dining and nightlife destinations. The collaboration brings two of Paris Society’s most acclaimed restaurant concepts to American shores, positioning Delano at the forefront of Miami’s social and culinary scene.
Among them is Gigi Rigolatto, a vibrant Italian dining concept that has already built a loyal following in destinations including Paris and Dubai. Set against the backdrop of South Beach, the restaurant combines Mediterranean-inspired cuisine with a lively atmosphere, extending from its elegant dining room to the hotel’s pool deck and private beach cabanas.
Joining it is Mimi Kakushi, the award-winning Japanese concept inspired by 1920s Osaka. Known internationally for its distinctive design, the restaurant draws inspiration from Japan’s Taisho era, blending traditional Japanese flavours with Western influences that emerged during a period of rapid cultural change. The menu features a range of contemporary Japanese dishes, from sushi and sashimi selections to carefully crafted sharing plates, complemented by an extensive cocktail programme inspired by the life and work of Japanese silent film star Sessue Hayakawa.
The reopening also sees the return of one of Miami’s most famous hotel venues: Rose Bar. For years, Rose Bar served as the social heart of Delano. The venue has been thoughtfully reimagined with refreshed interiors, including the careful restoration of its Murano glass Narciso chandeliers, while preserving the intimate glamour and energy that made it such a defining part of Miami nightlife. Its return reinforces Delano’s long-standing reputation as a place where hospitality, culture and social life naturally intersect.
Beyond dining and nightlife, wellness has emerged as a central pillar of the new Delano experience. The hotel introduces The Source by Delano, a new wellness concept designed to blend restorative treatments, movement and social connection. Alongside dedicated fitness facilities and wellness programming the concept features a 22-seat sauna. This emphasis on holistic wellbeing feels particularly relevant within Miami’s evolving luxury landscape, where an active lifestyle is deeply embedded in daily life, with runners, cyclists and outdoor fitness communities making Miami Beach as much about health and wellbeing as it is about traditional indulgence.
The timing of Delano’s return is also significant. Miami Beach is currently experiencing a renaissance of sorts, with several landmark properties undergoing ambitious renovation project. Yet few carry the cultural significance of Delano.
Its influence can still be seen throughout South Beach today, from the design-led hotels that followed in its wake to the lifestyle-focused hospitality experiences that have become commonplace across the industry. In many ways, Delano helped establish the blueprint that countless luxury hotels have since adopted.
More than three decades after redefining an entire neighbourhood, Delano Miami Beach returns not as a nostalgic recreation of the past, but as a thoughtful evolution of a hospitality icon.
Images Credit: Robert Reiger and Kris Tamburello
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