The Pestana South Beach Art Deco Hotel officially opened in Miami Beach this month, making it the first of the Portuguese Pestana Group’s hotels in North America.
Set in South Beach, the 97-room hotel spans four Art Deco buildings from the 1940s and 50s. The Pestana Group, which has about 90 hotels worldwide, incorporated a retro design for the style of its first hotel in the U.S. The hotel’s buildings, formerly the Hotel Milejan, were built between 1940 and 1952 and are classified by the local Historic Preservation Board.
“Pestana has built its international reputation on developing unique hotels, often in historic buildings or central locations that make them a part of the story of the place that they exist in,” says the hotel’s general manager, Joao Paulo Araujo. “With the South Beach Art Deco hotel, we have restored a classic Deco hotel and added all the modern touches that today’s traveler expects. The result is perfect for Miami Beach, since it enhances the area and helps connect the visitor to sense of place and local culture.”
Keeping with the theme of the building’s original style, Pestana South Beach features a 1940s-inspired pool patio with rooms overlooking the courtyard and low-to-the-ground cabanas. The Mermaid Bar & Bistro also has a retro feel with black and white mermaid images lining the walls and striped booths.
The Pestana Group bought the property in 2008, choosing Miami as the location for its first North American property due to its accessibility for the Brazilian and Portuguese markets, where the brand has a strong presence.
The location in South Beach was also a strong factor. The hotel is located a block from the beach and near attractions such as Lincoln Road and Frank Gehry’s New World Symphony. While it is still in the heart of the South Beach nightlife scene and near high-end hotels like Delano Hotel and The Raleigh Hotel, the atmosphere is more laid-back since it is located on the more subdued James Avenue.
Rates start at $224 per night. For more information, call (855) 703-3003 or visit pestana.com/en/pestana-south-beach.
