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Experience Timeless Elegance Reimagined: Delano Miami Beach Unveils Its Modern Splendor

The Enduring Allure of the Delano Miami Beach: A Personal Retrospective

For one particular individual, the Delano holds a deep personal significance, representing their inaugural encounter with the vibrant atmosphere of Miami Beach. As a young teenager, they first stepped into this iconic hotel, meeting friends from New York City for lunch at what was then known as the Blue Door restaurant. This initial visit, characterized by the city's radiant sun, dynamic music, exhilarating energy, and glamorous ambiance, ignited a lasting affection for the 305 area code. The profound impact of this experience was so strong that it influenced their decision to attend the University of Miami and later return to the region in 2017, underscoring the hotel's magnetic charm beyond its luxurious facade.

Architectural Grandeur Preserved: The Majestic Exterior and Revitalized Lobby

The Delano's exterior maintains its regal presence, with distinctive Art Deco fins adorning its turret, reminiscent of a unique crown. These architectural elements once made it the tallest structure in Miami Beach. While the building's facade largely retains its original 1947 grandeur, allowing visitors to connect with the city's earlier aspirations and elegance, its interior has seen thoughtful restoration. The grand lobby, particularly, has been partially returned to its initial design, featuring the reintroduction of a bridge spanning its central expanse. This careful preservation ensures that the hotel continues to exude its historical pomp and flair, from its sun-drenched terrazzo entrance to its distinctive sawtooth facade of angled window banks.

A Glimpse into the Raucous Past: The Delano's Boutique Hotel Era

During the boisterous boutique hotel period of the late nineties and early 2000s, the Delano was celebrated as a remarkably chic design masterpiece, brought to life by Ian Schrager and Philippe Starck. Its dazzling aesthetic fostered an atmosphere of playful indulgence. The hotel garnered international acclaim for its visually stunning design, which featured flowing white curtains in the atrium, an oversized winged chair in the foyer, and a whimsical, life-sized chessboard in the outdoor area. A guest's letter from 1997 vividly described the Delano as a 'cathedral of desire,' where pure white walls belied an interior ablaze with temptation and a captivating, dangerous beauty. Starck himself described the hotel's design intent as incorporating 'a little poetry' and 'a little lyrical quality.'

A Refined Evolution: From Wild Glamour to Subtle Sophistication

While the bold, untamed beauty of its past has evolved, the Delano's inherent poetic charm remains. The hotel has gracefully adapted to contemporary tastes, softening its edges to cultivate a more refined ambiance. The revamped spaces, including the reduced 171 guestrooms, now feature boucle-covered, curvilinear seating, imparting a gentler, more inviting atmosphere. The new Delano moves away from a club-like energy towards a more relaxed, lounge-inspired feel, reflecting current hospitality trends. Despite this shift, the hotel still incorporates elements of high design, such as Salvador Dalí's 'Leda' chair and Antonio Gaudí's 'Calvet' chair, creating Starck's signature juxtaposition of high and low art. A nostalgic touch is provided by a lucite piano once owned by Lenny Kravitz, displayed in the lobby, alongside an impressive collection of artworks by local artists, including Nina Surel.

Innovative Additions: The Fourth-Floor Oasis and The Intimate Rose Bar

One of the most significant enhancements in the Delano's latest iteration is the entirely new secondary pool and sun-lounge area located on the fourth floor. This space not only caters to hotel guests but also serves an exclusive members' club, which is currently accepting applications. Anchoring this new level is a fresh outpost of Mimi Kakushi, a Japanese-inspired restaurant and bar that originated in Dubai, featuring a dimly lit, elegantly decorated interior with rosy and wooden tones, and tactile beaded accents. Perhaps the most charming new feature is the Rose Bar, a revived, intimate space reminiscent of the Schrager and Starck era. Tucked behind velvet curtains in the lobby, it reveals a small, red-marble bar top set against a golden liquor display, transporting guests back to the refined grandeur of the 1950s. This blend of historical echoes, contemporary refinement, and welcoming ambiance ensures that the Delano remains a place of both nostalgia and enjoyment, a true piece of history that continues to evolve.

In Venice, the global art community recently convened for the traditional Biennale pilgrimage, a gathering point for enthusiasts to experience the latest artistic expressions. This year's exhibition, titled "In Minor Keys," carried a subdued tone following the passing of its curator, Koyo Kouoh, with her collaborators diligently upholding her vision. Despite broader global unrest and the inherent controversies that often accompany such significant cultural events, a sense of optimism and openness persisted.

A notable highlight was the Chanel Next Prize dinner, a much-anticipated event during the Biennale's opening days. Hosted by Yana Peel, Chanel's President of Arts, Culture, and Heritage, the evening celebrated the 2026 Chanel Next Prize recipients. Ten groundbreaking young artists, each pushing the boundaries of their respective art forms, were recognized and awarded a substantial €100,000 prize. The exquisite event took place at Palazzo Giustinian Brandolini, the ancestral residence of collector and artist Marcantonio Brandolini, who also contributed to the evening by designing the unique glass trophies for the laureates. His colorful glass creations and playful Murano miniatures beautifully complemented the historic setting, enhanced by elegant floral arrangements.

The celebratory spirit of the evening resonated through Peel's address, as she lauded the creative dynamism of the Next Prize winners and the remarkable international participation at the Biennale. She underscored the enduring and essential role of art in fostering hope, even in a world grappling with uncertainty. Peel remarked on the diverse origins of the ten winners, representing ten different countries, and the record 99 pavilions at this year's Biennale, emphasizing the global reach and lasting significance of the arts. She acknowledged the current international discords, stating, "It is a heartbreaking paradox, but perhaps also a call: a reminder that art, at its best, can bridge divides and invite us to imagine new ways forward.” Concluding with Gabrielle Chanel's forward-looking philosophy, Peel redirected focus to the boundless potential of human imagination and creative minds. The event also marked the introduction of a new Chanel Culture Fund Fellowship, a collaboration with the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, designed to support both the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice and the Guggenheim Museum, reinforcing Chanel's dedication to institutional partnerships, curatorial exploration, and cross-cultural exchange.

The evening culminated in a spontaneous artistic flourish, transitioning from a sophisticated dinner to an intimate, vibrant gathering. Patti Smith captivated the audience with an unexpected a cappella rendition of “Because The Night,” infusing the palazzo with her poetic and enchanting presence. Following her, Grammy-nominated trumpeter and 2026 Next Prize laureate Ambrose Akinmusire, alongside Grammy-winning jazz musician Sullivan Fortner, delivered an improvisational jazz performance. As the night unfolded in the softly illuminated garden, dancing and engaging conversations continued, with prominent figures from the art and fashion worlds, including curators Massimiliano Gioni and Hans Ulrich Obrist, designers Diane von Fürstenberg and Margherita Missoni, architect Peter Marino, and artists Cao Fei, Michael Armitage, and David Salle, mingling with gallerists Sadie Coles and Philomene Magers. By the end, the lines between performers and attendees blurred, leaving behind an atmosphere of shared appreciation and a collective reluctance to depart, highlighting the unifying power of art and human connection.