MIAMI—With a nautical influence, the Kimpton Angler’s Hotel South Beach is betting its new meeting and event spaces will lure people in.
The hotel team sought to stay true to the hotel’s intimate vibe and retreat-like surroundings by creating spaces where business groups would be inspired to collaborate, while those enjoying social gatherings immediately would feel welcome, relaxed and ready to celebrate.
“We also wanted to create jaw-dropping spaces like our rooftop pool and sun deck that are versatile and adaptive to what planners wish to create for their functions,” said GM Jacqueline Lejart, Kimpton Angler’s Hotel South Beach. “With a unique mix of both indoor and outdoor spaces that feature Washington Ave. and South Beach as a backdrop, together with our exceptional culinary offerings and signature service, we are providing groups with all the elements needed for a truly memorable, inspired and enjoyable event.”
San Francisco-based interior design firm NicoleHollis was enlisted to take on this project, which would be a very collaborative creation process. “We have a strong relationship with Kimpton as we’ve done two other properties with them. Their team is supportive of creative, original ideas,” said Nicole Hollis, principal/creative director of NicoleHollis.
Striving to capturing a sense of place, the firm tapped into the vibrancy of the locale and connected to the existing spaces of the hotel. “The new meeting spaces are part of the overall design scheme for the hotel, which speaks to the local culture and history of Miami and also offers an artful, modern take on the experience of the city,” said Hollis.
While the area of Miami Beach has deep ties to Art Deco, NicoleHollis also was interested in exploring the city’s relationship southward to the Caribbean. “We looked to the citrus and tobacco agricultural heritage and the early railroad and seafaring beginnings of Miami for design inspiration,” said Hollis. “The materials palette includes handwoven rope, wood, marble and polished brass like the glimmers of treasure from a shipwreck.”
The hotel team’s desire to have spaces where guests would feel comfortable but also inspired informed the design firm’s direction. “It needed to be versatile for executive or private functions and feel very much of the city,” said Hollis. “The design keeps an eye toward mood, atmosphere and transitioning from dark to light—from the lobby and bar area up through the pool deck. The meeting and pre-function areas on the first floor are calm and down-to-earth with cool mix of textures and lighting such as the rope pendants. The rooftop pool deck is perfect for events and receptions. It has a sophisticated feel with dark touches in textiles and stone that contrast the wide blue sky and views of the ocean.”
The new addition is part of an overall $61-million redevelopment of the property. With phase one of the hotel’s redesign and new-build now complete, Lejart noted that guests and groups are praising the new look and feel, guest service and welcoming vibe. The momentum continues for Kimpton Angler’s Hotel South Beach as more projects are planned.
“We are working on phase two efforts, which focus on the redesign and renovation of the original, adjoining Angler’s hotel and its existing lofts, villas and bungalows; courtyard and pool; and new restaurant Seawell Fish n’ Oyster, which is set to be completed within the next six months,” Lejart concluded.
