Having wrapped up a $90 million USD, multi-year renovation, The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach is once again welcoming guests.

The 376-key property was originally designed by Morris Lapidus, the architect renowned for his Neo-baroque “Miami Modern” hotels built in the 1950s and 1960s. The renovation of the property, which is located in the heart of South Beach at the intersection of Collins Road and Lincoln Road, was overseen by Meg Sharpe (lobby, The Lapidus Bar, restaurant, pool, club and spa) and Cristian Rubio Pinedo, from design-firm HBA, who reimagined the guestrooms and meeting spaces.

“Today, The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach—a treasure in the brand’s portfolio and in Miami—returns better than ever with a distinctive design transformation that melds modern touches with the building’s beloved Art Deco design,” said Sase Gjorsovski, general manager of the resort. “Given the tremendous thought that has gone into this $90 million renaissance, I’m confident that leisure travellers, business travellers, and groups alike will find our ‘big reveal’ well worth it.”

Highlights of the renovation are:

• a new lobby that celebrates the original design while including touches that bring it into the modern era;
• 10,000-square-foot ballroom that is supplemented by 11 separate meeting and event spaces, all of which showcase a design that is infused with the spirit of Miami’s history and rich cultural scene;
• the all-new Lapidus Bar, a classic cocktail lounge that honours a bygone era of Miami with live music and vintage cocktails;
• Fuego y Mar, the hotel’s new restaurant helmed by executive chef Anthony LePape and serving up dishes showcasing the vibrant flavours of Latin America;
• a tech lounge, where guests can work while having a coffee or a cocktail;
• DiLido Beach Club, an oceanfront dining enclave with plush seating;
• The Ritz-Carlton Spa, home to the only Timeless Capsule (a one-of-a-kind elliptical space designed to condense spa treatments—a plus for time-restricted guests) in the United States;
• Club Lounge offering a dedicated concierge, bespoke experiences and complimentary f&b throughout the day;
• and guestrooms and suites featuring meticulously-designed furnishings, custom millwork and enhanced soundproofing.

“The design of the public spaces was inspired by the history of the building itself,” said Meg Sharpe, “By upholding the integrity of the storied past of the property, we have revealed the architectural base created by the giants of the Art Deco and Mimo [Miami Modern] styles renowned in Miami. The gentle nod to the past is imbued with modern purpose.”

“Culture has been infused into each and every guestroom and meeting space, resulting in an authentic Miami experience,” said Cristian Rubio Pinedo. “A relatively new city, Miami’s unique culture has been translated into the hotel with both depth of design and whimsical details that allow guests a feeling of being in the city without having to leave their rooms.”