Ritz-Carlton, South Beach by Hal Peat

Having a past life history lends cachet nowadays in the Miami area, and perhaps nowhere more so than among its larger scale properties. The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach certainly benefits from being able to have its present site on that of the former DiLido Hotel. Large entrances, multiple lounges and otherwise impersonal and rather corporate public areas at least draw on local points of reference and the creative inspiration of the city’s earlier heyday as expressed here in the Art Moderne style perfected by legendary architect Morris Lapidus.

Still visible are the original exterior curves, sweeping line and pastel accents with which he graced the DiLido. Many of the original interior features have also been preserved, such as the black terrazzo floors, a grand lobby staircase, and a curved wall of polished cherry wood with 72 polished domed wall sconces. Other pleasing visual touches include an oversized oval rug with a pattern inspired by 1940’s Parisian metal designer Poillerate, the glass and polished aluminum railings punctuated by huge circular cherry veneer covered columns, and of course the muted tones of chartreuse, mango and citrus throughout.

Contemporary artwork from both Latin America and Europe, also drawing on Art Moderne themes, lends another dimension of that earlier period. Most notable exanples may be the huge Joan Miro etching in the lower lobby, terra cotta and stone sculptures that show up around the pool and spa areas, and the sweeping mural by Miami artist Xavier Calero that replicates the original of the Fifties that covered an entire wall of what was the exterior of the DiLido.

The rooms
If sections of the hotel’s exterior seem to suggest the railed exterior of one of the great ocean-going luxury liners, then furniture and color schemes of the guest rooms and suites similarly have the feel of a stateroom. Dark cherry furniture blends with shades of nautical blue, spruce green and burnished gold. Some have an outdoor terrace providing a vista of the pool deck below; here is the privacy of your own deck to escape to as needed.

Hallways are still rather dark in the original main guest building, and the guest suite interiors also retain the low ceilings characteristic of mid-century guest space. The added 54 poolside and ocean view lanai rooms have an airier feel to them. One unique feature here among other area hotels is the VIP guest level, available only for guests on floors nine and ten. Occupants on these floors have access to private check-in and concierge, wireless internet service, plus five food and beverage services throughout the day.