Delano Announces Long-Awaited Return to Miami Beach

When you hear the word icon, you think of people and places. Delano South Beach was an icon for the past few decades until its closure a few years ago.

The property, which opened as Morgans Hotel Group's first Miami hotel in 1995, was the first to roll out cheeky and playful spatial branding at scale — from the signature green apples changed daily in the guest rooms to the billowing gauze curtains visitors wafted through upon entry. There was also the transparent acrylic piano and the collection of high-end yet casually placed fine art as furniture — the Delano's interiors, led by Phillippe Starck, were at once whimsical and timeless.

However, timelessness, in itself, also has the risk of an expiration date. The Delano was in a state of overdue attention and ultimately fell into closure amid the chaos of the pandemic. When the Delano announced much of its furniture and fixtures were liquidated and off to auction, the heartbreak was audible, with design aficionados, former employees — of which there are many (in hospitality, there is a saying, "All roads lead to Morgans") — and, of course, loyal guests worldwide lamenting the closure. The future of the building and the brand's presence in Miami Beach were uncertain.

However, in an exciting turn of events, the Delano is coming back.
Like a refreshed, cool, and triumphant phoenix, the Delano Miami Beach is returning under the guidance of Ennismore Hotels and Cain International. Slated for opening in late 2025, it will feature a fresh design vision that will usher the property into its next era.

This time around, Elastic Architects, in collaboration with Ennismore's in-house design team, has articulated the Delano. The Ennismore team has released early renderings by Binyan Studios, and the 171-key property will bring new life to the Delano's renowned history. And yes, the billowing curtains are back. The apples are back, too, in a sense, but rather than a fresh edible fruit, they exist in the form of a refillable glass vessel.

The circular drive is now punctuated with sandy hues and a fresh infusion of greenery. An oversized, three-tier art deco chandelier commands the front porch. There are no hedges to be found, but half a dozen topiaries set the stage for the refined experience and distinct status that await its guests.
The previous lobby, which had a darker and mysterious ambiance, has been reimagined with a brighter palette and earthy elements. These include a show-stopping tiered chandelier, air-purifying dracaena trees, and several alluring, wood-accented vignettes that appear to be shopping moments. Peeking from behind the pistachio-green lobby couch, you can spot the Salvador Dalí high-heeled chair from the hotel's Morgans-led heyday.

Guest rooms have moved from all-white to shades of beige with wood accents and various stains. Artistic sconces appear to be an intentional design element that connects the rooms to the rest of the property.

Some well-planned design alterations, such as the Delano's new state-of-the-art fitness room, are underway. Previous guests may recall the basement gym corridor and the rooftop spa as disjointed elements, but the Delano Miami Beach will elevate the hotel's wellness features as signature experiential outposts that exude the Delano brand. Four food and beverage concepts will also be introduced, but no further details have been released at this time.
And, of course, we would be remiss not to talk about the pool — or should we say pools. Delano fans can rest assured that the legendary ground-floor pool will remain (same trees, different tile, and actual pool structure). A new second pool on the fourth floor will join it. No word yet on the revival of the underwater sound system, but we're keeping our fingers crossed.

It's exciting to welcome Delano back to the Beach; in fact, we mourned the property's closure not too long ago. We hope the opening stays true to schedule and that this time next year, we will be celebrating the reopening of a Miami icon.

Delano Miami Beach. 1685 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; delanohotels.com. Opening late 2025.