The Reborn Delano Miami Beach Marries History With High-End Dining

In 1947, Delano opened as a statement of Miami glamour, hosting presidents, celebrities and dignitaries drawn to its art deco design and beachfront position. The hotel became emblematic of South Florida’s luxury scene, housing a Madonna-co-owned restaurant and a Lenny Kravitz-backed nightclub at different points in its history. When the pandemic shuttered the hospitality industry in 2020, Delano closed along with hundreds of other properties. This summer, it reopened as Delano Miami Beach, tasked with honoring nearly eight decades of history while redefining itself for contemporary luxury travelers.

The location and property basics

Delano sits on Collins Avenue in the heart of Miami Beach, positioning guests steps from the action that defines the neighborhood. The hotel is 12 miles from Miami International Airport, with cab or rideshare transport running $25 to $45 depending on traffic and service choice. Overnight valet parking costs $65 per night. The property houses 171 rooms and suites, multiple pools, beach access, a fitness center and a spa scheduled to open after the initial relaunch.

Room types and suite configuration

Delano offers traditional rooms, suites and two-story bungalows with direct pool access. According to The Points Guy, which spent two nights at the property on a complimentary basis, a partial ocean-view king suite featured a living room area with a large television offering streaming capabilities, a well-stocked minibar with premium liquors and Noam Beer from Germany, and a coffee maker. The minibar included both high-shelf bottles and snacks. A hallway connecting the living room to the bedroom doubled as a closet space, with plush robes, hangers and a luggage rack for organized packing.

Bathroom and bedroom spaces

The bathroom, compact by suite standards, showcased careful design through illuminated abstract mirrors, a bold white dual vanity and a deep soaking tub. Byredo Gypsy Water toiletries accompanied soft towels and strong shower pressure. The bedroom, finished in white and beige, featured a king bed with a headboard containing integrated controls for lighting and blinds. Reading lights flanked the bed, and an armchair with a small table completed the sleeping zone. The view of Collins Avenue’s iconic art deco buildings was visible from the window when blinds remained raised.

Dining and the restaurant scene

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Delano attracted attention before opening through its partnerships with two prominent restaurant groups entering the U.S. market for the first time. Gigi Rigolatto, a celebrated Paris establishment, and Mimi Kakushi, a Dubai stalwart since 2021, anchor the property’s food program alongside bar service and a coffee shop.

Gigi Rigolatto’s Italian menu

According to The Points Guy’s reviewer, Friday dinner at Gigi resembled a scene from a fashion week afterparty, with tables full and energy high. Fiori di zucchine, fried zucchini flowers with ricotta and truffle, cost $38 and arrived lightly fried and substantial enough as a standalone course. The signature dish, spaghetti limone e caviale combining lemon sauce with 30 grams of Oscietra caviar, commanded $135. The pasta balanced citrus sweetness against salty caviar, with portions large enough to feed a small group. The reviewer found the pasta rich enough that, dining alone, second helpings seemed unnecessary.

Mimi Kakushi’s Japanese offerings

At Mimi, The Points Guy sampled nigiri with earthy miso soup ($12 for the soup alone), freshwater eel and tuna nigiri ($17 per two-piece serving), and black cod and tiger prawn gyoza with citrus miso ($28). The reviewer found the nigiri light and fresh, with the miso umami-forward and leaving a high bar for remaining courses. Dessert came as Hokkaido cheesecake with strawberries and matcha sauce ($18), where subtle sweetness in the cheesecake provided base notes for the earthy matcha.

Cocktails and specialty drinks

Rose Bar, situated adjacent to the lobby, operates nightly with house cocktails ranging from a Rose old fashioned with Macallan 12, banana, salted caramel and chocolate ($35) to a chamomile penicillin pairing Johnnie Walker Black Label with chamomile, ginger, carrot, honey and Campari ($23). At Mimi, the Nara Nara martini ($38) builds tableside drama through Botanist Gin chiseled from a giant block of ice held at negative 4 degrees Fahrenheit. The coffee shop serves upscale pours including an iced pistachio milk shakerato for $15, alongside classical coffee drinks, juices and pastries. Food from the various restaurants is available for order at poolside and on the beach.

Service and hospitality

The Points Guy found service near exceptional across the property, with staff appearing genuinely invested in guest experiences. Standout hospitality arrived from pool attendants during the stay. A single incident of management friction with a bartender occurred within earshot of the bar, though pool staff hospitality subsequently restored the overall impression.

Rates and loyalty program benefits

Cash rates begin around $600 per night. As an Accor property, members of the Accor loyalty program can redeem multiples of 2,000 points for approximately $44 in stay credits. Delano participates in The Edit by Chase Travel, which allows eligible cardholders access to elite-tier benefits including daily breakfast for two and property credits. Accessible rooms, public spaces and a pool with a lift accommodate guests with mobility needs, though The Points Guy recommends calling ahead to confirm specific accessibility requirements can be met.

The verdict

The reimagined Delano Miami Beach successfully merges historic glamour with contemporary luxury, delivering memorable dining through high-profile restaurant partnerships and consistent hospitality. The property’s beachfront Collins Avenue position, combined with renovated suites and thoughtful service, positions it as a competitive option within Miami Beach’s crowded luxury segment. The Points Guy’s only regret from the complimentary stay was that the visit could not extend longer.

Source: The Points Guy Articles