Everyone knows the saying “You can’t go home again.” I hope that’s not the case with the Delano Hotel that made Miami Beach so famous. We just got word that the hotel should be open again in late 2025. I’m not sure the new updated Delano will have the same glory it had when it was renovated by Ian Schrager, former co-founder of Studio 54 and designer Philippe Starck in 1995. Schrager and Starck wanted Delano to feel like a home; to that end, Starck created a series of discrete “living spaces,” with mismatched furniture.

The entire hotel felt like you were walking into the future. It was hidden behind a tall row of hedges right on Collins and 17th Street.  The Delano’s backyard and pool were an extension of the lobby’s “living room,” and that’s why a table and two chairs sat in a shallow section of the pool, and why the hotel’s veranda featured the kind of comfortable furniture usually found inside a building, rather than outside it. In the rooms, guests had oversized marble bathtubs, said to be a favorite among NBA players because of their seven-foot length, along with Malin + Goetz toiletries.

The place was simply gorgeous and it attracted a steady stream of celebrities that frequently hung out at the pool.  I read about Delano in WWD and desperately wanted to vacation there. We used to fly down from Manhattan for long weekends, school breaks and special occasions. If we got lucky, we got to see Madonna, Calvin Klein, Barry Diller, Cher, Don Johnson, and a host of sports figures. Every guest felt so special while in residence. There was something about the vibe that just put everyone in a good mood.

After a few years of staying at the hotel we decided to rent an apartment nearby because it was way less expensive. We just loved being a part of the South Beach crowd. The Delano closed its doors during the pandemic, leaving so many loyal guests and design lovers heartbroken. Now, under the direction of Ennismore and Cain International, the Delano is set to reemerge with a fresh vision while honoring its storied past. The revitalized property will feature 171 redesigned rooms, upgraded wellness spaces, and new dining concepts, all tied together by a lighter, earthy aesthetic.

All I can say is that I hope the Delano has a great restaurant so we can visit the establishment often. Just thinking about it gives me the chills. I want to get that special feeling again 25 years later.