Art Deco made its dazzling debut 100 years ago in 1925, forever changing the design world with bold geometric shapes, luxurious materials and sleek elegance. Miami Beach embraced Art Deco early on, with its pastel-colored facades, neon lights and streamlined curves — a stunning tribute to the glitz and glamour of the era.
Here are some of the most eye-catching Art Deco hotels in Miami Beach, iconic examples of this architectural revolution.
The Betsy South Beach
The Betsy is a 130-room, family-owned and -operated luxury oceanfront resort located within Miami Beach’s Art Deco District. The celebrated boutique resort opened in March 2009 following a restoration of the historic Betsy Ross Hotel. In December 2016, the property underwent a groundbreaking expansion to merge with the former Carlton Hotel (originally designed by architect Henry Hohauser, best known for his quintessential art deco styling) to become a single, unified property. Architect Allan T. Shulman, known for his unique dual commitment to historic preservation and contemporary design, and designers Diamante Pedersoli and Carmelina Santoro led the expansion. The buildings are joined by “The Betsy Orb,” an architectural marvel conceptualized by Shulman that functions as a bridge, a public art piece and an art gallery. The original Betsy Ross Hotel is known today as the “Dixon Wing,” and the former Carlton Hotel is now known as the “Hohauser Wing” in honor of the original architect. Within the Hohauser Wing, guests can find The Carlton Room, the former lobby of the Carlton Hotel, now used as a communal “beach-chic” gathering space and event venue with walnut wood floors and raffia displays, paying homage to the building’s historical legacy. The Hohauser Wing also features the Rooftop Pool Deck, offering panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and Miami’s skyline.
Located in Miami Beach along the famous Beachwalk, Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club, Autograph Collection is a 357-room oceanfront resort in the heart of Miami Beach’s Mid-Beach neighborhood at 39th Street and Collins Avenue. The art deco property, originally opened in 1940, was designed by renowned architect Roy F. France. It was remodeled in 2018 by interior design firm Bill Rooney Studio, which drew inspiration from the glamour and sophistication of the 1940s European Riviera. The modern resort has a preserved art deco aesthetic with original terrazzo floors in the lobby area, lush greenery and a wraparound mezzanine balcony overlooking the check-in and lounge area. Just beyond the lobby, guests will find The Lobby Bar and Riviera, a flexible-use public and meeting space leading to a grand terrace overlooking the expansive pool deck featuring two pools (an adults-only pool and a family pool) and private beachside service. Visiting guests can stop by for a glass of wine at Bungalow Beach Bar & Grill, the hotel’s charming beachside bar; settle in for an authentic Italian meal at the signature restaurant, Donna Mare Italian Chophouse; or grab a quick snack at Il Merkato, the Italian market, coffee bar and gelateria.
The Gates Hotel South Beach
The Gates Hotel South Beach is a stylish playground ideally located on Collins Avenue, just a short stroll from Ocean Drive, South Beach’s vibrant nightlife and the Atlantic Ocean. A modern take on South Beach, the hotel’s 235 guest rooms and suites creatively combine vintage throwbacks with contemporary details. The art deco style reflects South Beach’s inimitable vibrancy with midcentury design and tropical touches. The Gates was built on the foundation of the historic 1954 Motel Ankara, originally by the architecture firm Reiff & Feldman. It was designed in the futuristic Googie architecture style, which was popular nationwide from the late 1940s to the mid-1960s. The swimming pool, also completed in 1954, was designed by architect R.P. Witt. Elements of the Ankara were cleverly arranged for residential and commercial advantages. Its room wings form an “L,” which embraces the pool deck and frames diagonal views up and down Collins Avenue.
The Gabriel South Beach
The Gabriel South Beach is a boutique property centrally located on Ocean Drive in South Beach. The 132-room hotel effortlessly blends art deco modernism with tropical allure. Spread across four buildings, one of which is the historic Park Central Hotel, designed by art deco architect Henry Hohauser, the hotel presents travelers with art deco allure reminiscent of the 1930s Golden Age of Glamour. The iconic hotel boasts two pools, including a showstopping glass-bottom pool on the roof overlooking the Atlantic Ocean that is enveloped by a mural by Danish graffiti artist and philanthropist Mikael B. Guest rooms are contemporary but still showcase signature art deco pastels and curved midcentury patio furniture on the balconies. The hotel also features a 30-foot-tall mural by French-born, Los Angeles-based street artist Mr. Brainwash, known for his large-scale installations, celebrity prints and subverting cultural iconography similar to Andy Warhol and Banksy.
Balfour Hotel
Balfour Hotel is a historic property (formerly known as The Lord Balfour Hotel) with 82 guest rooms and suites spread out over two art deco-style buildings connected by an enchanting courtyard. Designed in 1940 by Anton Skislewicz, an important architect from Miami Beach’s art deco history, Balfour Hotel caters to design-conscious visitors with a unique style and undeniably timeless appeal, as each of the 82 guest rooms and suites combine iconic Art Deco style with modern comforts. The lobby features original terrazzo flooring and Art Deco elevator doors. Terra-cotta mosaic tiles, chaise lounges and rattan lounge seating invite guests to sunbathe and enjoy the elevated plunge pool.
