After a $35 million restoration, the historic Gale South Beach & Regent Hotel reopens tomorrow in hopes of becoming one of the hottest Miami addresses once again.
Though located on the same hip corner as Delano and SLS South Beach, this rejuvenated joint hotel is a throwback to an era when sophisticated types in dark suits pranced about Collins Avenue. The hotel is seeped in that history: Gale South was constructed simultaneously with Regent Hotel in the tropical Art Deco style by L. Murray Dixon in 1941, and the two structures were joined by a bridge in 1964.
Menin Hotels, who purchased the buildings in 2011, was mindful of all the history when it planned the rebirth. Creamy white walls and European oak furniture spark imagery of the Italian Riviera just like the original. Reclaimed limestone and terrazzo flooring from the initial properties were painstakingly restored. Vintage photos of a bygone South Florida dot common areas. And employees don ’40s-inspired attire.
But the 87-room retreat isn’t looking to rest on its past glories. To compete with other buzzy hotel names along Millionaires’ Row, the Gale knows it has to keep with the times. So it added 55-inch high-definition TVs in all the rooms, European showers with rainforest showerheads in the baths and a gorgeous rooftop deck with an infinity pool. If you can pull yourself from the poolside views of the Atlantic Ocean, head downstairs to Dolce Italian, a 6,000-square-foot space that includes a restaurant, outdoor café and bar. Dolce Italian plans to put a contemporary spin on Italian classics, like wood-roasted pizzas, steaks and housemade pasta.
Over on the Regent side, things are done with even more subtle elegance at The Regent Cocktail Club, a classically styled lounge (think brown leather chairs and custom light fixtures) that will leave you feeling like you’ve stepped onto the set of Mad Men. That is, until your iPhone starts ringing, of course.
Photos Courtesy of Gale South Beach
