When America went under lockdown in March, Mondrian South Beach seized the opportunity to revamp the lifestyle hotel, from the rooms to the restaurants. Mondrian will debut its new look when it welcomes guests back November 16.
Forbes Travel Guide got an exclusive peek at the $20 million transformation. Miami-based designers Peter Oleck and Danny Cubes of OS Design Group drew inspiration from coastal destinations like the Greek Islands, the Balearic Islands, the Amalfi Coast, Sicily and Tulum to infuse the property with bohemian tropical flair.
Of course, the pandemic influenced the design as well. “Keeping the post-2020 traveler in mind, guests can expect a complete property renovation, including new breezy and open-air common areas; socially distant meeting spaces; large, private pool cabanas; custom face masks and hand sanitizer stations throughout the property; and much more,” says hotel co-owner Michael S. Liebowitz.
The centerpiece of the new Miami hotel will be Baia (“bay” in Italian) Beach Club, which will be open to members and hotel guests. Raw organic timber and billowing shades give the beach club an inviting, relaxed atmosphere.
“The space will include an open-air living room, accented with handmade macramé fixtures and overlooking stunning sunset vistas of Biscayne Bay and downtown Miami, perfect for a business lunch meeting, afternoon cocktails or a romantic dinner,” Liebowitz says.
That dinner will come from LDV Hospitality, whose restaurant roster includes eateries like Scarpetta and American Cut. The beach club also will include seaside cabanas and pavilions, boat dockage, access to a full-service spa, a state-of-the-art fitness center and more.
Elsewhere in the sbe hotel, the airy lobby will have black-and-white marble-patterned floors, fluted natural coral columns and a white-wood-covered reception area with fluted white wood desks and a linen chandelier. The lobby lounge will have tambour ribbed marine-blue wood, dark smoked oaks and Italian pink quartzites. The connected bar will serve cocktails and bay views.
Throughout the dining and lounge areas, you’ll spot smoked woodwork, artisanal marble, handcrafted encaustic cement, louvers, linens, soft lighting and vibrant plantscapes.
The 220 guest rooms will have a similar aesthetic with natural woods, organic materials, bamboo and rattan light fixtures, and macramé artwork. Each room will be equipped with a kitchen.
The renovations will carry into the more than 25,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space. These will include an outdoor pre-function area and a new enclosed poolside venue with bayfront panoramas. A refreshed spa and wellness center is also in the works.
When it first opened in 2008, Mondrian South Beach sported interiors by Marcel Wanders, a Dutch designer known for his whimsical, dramatic design. Liebowitz felt it was time for a new look.
“Since partnering with [hotel co-owner] Russell Galbut, I knew this property deserved a complete makeover. As the audience of the hotel grows up, so should the property,” he says. “Whether visiting as a Baia Beach Club member, dining at our bayfront restaurant or staying in one of our new guest rooms, Mondrian South Beach will be a new and exciting experience for all. Mondrian has always been a go-to hotel for those looking for a welcoming, laid-back atmosphere, and we’re looking forward to bringing back that incredible energy.”
