The new Aloft South Beach has set its official opening date for May 28, offering an array of modern, tech-focuse amenities in its 235 loft-like rooms. The property will also have Continental Miami, a new dining destination established by restaurateur Stephen Starr.
Across from the Atlantic Ocean and a short walk to the nightlife of South Beach, Lincoln Road’s shopping and Ocean Drive, the waterfront property offers a boutique-style setting and open-air layout.
Building on the foundation of the historic 1954 Ankara Motel, the Aloft South Beach has taken great care to preserve the Art Deco-inspired architecture on the exterior while creating a newly constructed interior with contemporary elements. Components of the hotel that have retained their original form include the classic brick walls of the Historic Wing, refurbished Ankara Motel signage and the pool shape. Inside, modern design takes center stage as a translucent staircase welcomes guests into the two-story atrium with custom leather wrapping and a light fixture inspired by drum cymbals. Additionally, the bar and lounge has a custom chandelier by Yellow Goat Design made of 1,000 colored acrylic lighting rods descending from the ceiling.
On the main floor, the re:mix lounge – home to the brand’s Live at Aloft Hotels live music series and craft cocktails – is a hub for guests and locals to mingle over drinks or a game of pool, and connects to W XYZ Bar. An onsite herb garden yields garden-to-glass cocktail ingredients. W XYZ transitions to the outside deck by way of a 36-foot sliding glass wall, where there is a splash pool and private cabanas between the pool and the lake. Solar-powered charging stations are available outside to revive guests' mobile devices.
Looking up from the pool area to the third level is the hotel’s plunge deck, outfitted with daybeds under a canopy of strawberry guava trees and a four-sided infinity edge water feature. At the Plunge Deck Bar, a variety of games including bocce, oversized tic-tac-toe, beanbag toss and a large dice game are available.
Adjacent to the deck are guestrooms, including 22 suites overlooking Lake Pancoast. Most of these have private terraces looking out over the lake and the pool deck below. The third floor guestrooms in the Historic Wing offer private lake-view balconies, while the fourth floor has Breezy Suites with oversized private terraces. In the main tower, the rooms offer city views, and corner suites with full height windows and private balconies offer views of Miami Beach. All 235 guestrooms come complete with Aloft Hotels’ signature trademarks, including nine-foot ceilings, streamlined design, Bluetooth-enabled door locks and Bliss Spa bath amenities.
Sitting at the edge of the water, the Dip hot tub offers a backdrop of an art wall, which displays rotating street art by rising artists from Miami’s artsy Wynwood neighborhood. The art program extends to other areas in the hotel as well, with a variety of photographic prints and murals. The lobby has a series of black-and-white images of 1970s beach scenes and, near the entrance, a large-scale aerial view photograph of models in vintage swimsuits is displayed. Each guestroom has a colorful photograph by British fashion photographer Miles Aldridge on view, while the corridors have interpretations of summer swimming pools, beaches and barbecues.
On Collins Avenue, Aloft South Beach’s Continental Miami restaurant by Stephen Starr will serve a menu of continental classics and Asian specialties created from fresh, local and seasonal ingredients. Adjacent to both the pool deck and lake, a waterfront deck with enclave seating offers a space for outdoor dining. Continental Miami opens at 7 a.m. and closes at 2 a.m. For snacks on the go, the nearby re:fuel café offers Nespresso coffee, OnJuice pressed juices, kale chips and other grab and go choices, while the WXYZ Bar offers small bites for patrons of the bar.
On the second floor, the Re:charge gym is a 24/7 fitness center. Additionally, the Aloft South Beach has 1,500 square feet of adaptable indoor meeting areas and 5,000 square feet of al fresco event space. Meeting groups can collaborate in the property’s “playroom area,” with team-building amenities that include Rubik’s Cubes, bubble-wrap mats and Play-Doh.
As an Aloft Hotel, guests are invited to enjoy the brand’s signature benefits and programming, including Starwood’s Preferred Guest loyalty program.
Visit www.aloftsouthbeach.com