The last party at the Mandarin Oriental: What the hotel looks like in final days
By Vinod Sreeharsha and
Pedro Portal
Dozens of well-wishers gathered at the Mandarin Oriental on May 15 to say farewell to what once was one of the most luxurious hotels in South Florida — and get a sneak peek of what’s to come.
Facing greater competition and sensing more opportunity, the owners decided to close the hotel at the end of May and demolish the building next year.
Rising on the site will be two new towers that will be called The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Miami. One of the buildings will include hotel rooms. The new Mandarin Oriental is scheduled to open in 2030.
At the farewell party, guests included former and current employees. Celebrities who showed up included former NBA player and current Miami Heat executive Alonzo Mourning. Musicians and dancers entertained the crowd.
And the night was capped with a drone sky show that illustrated the shape of the new towers.
Here’s what the party and the hotel looked like as the countdown to closing continues:
The crowds at the Mandarin Oriental closing party
Crowds gather at the La Mar Restaurant Terrace, during the grand closing party at The Mandarin Oriental, Miami on Thursday May 15, 2025. . Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com
Guests gather at the La Mar Restaurant Terrace during a grand closing gala on Thursday May 15, 2025. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com
Mingling in the lobby of The Mandarin Oriental, Miami during a closing party on Thursday May 15, 2025. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com
The lobby was hopping with gala-goers enjoying live performances and a preview of the future buildings on Thursday May 15, 2025. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com
Guests mingle under a tent at The Mandarin Oriental, Miami on Thursday May 15, 2025. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com
The performances at Mandarin Oriental
Performers in the lobby of The Mandarin Oriental, Miami on Thursday May 15, 2025. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com
Guests enjoy a live performance around the pool at The Mandarin Oriental, Miami on Thursday May 15, 2025. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com
The action at the pool a closing party for the The Mandarin Oriental on Thursday May 15, 2025. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com
Members of the Lee Koon Hung Lion & Dragon Dance Team on Thursday May 15, 2025. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com
Members of the Lee Koon Hung Lion & Dragon Dance Team perform at the Mandarin Residences sales center on Thursday May 15, 2025. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com
A dancer is center stage at the Mandarin Residences sales center during a grand closing gala on Thursday May 15, 2025. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com
The sneak peeks of the future Mandarin Oriental
A dancer performs at the Mandarin Residences sales center during a hotel closing party on May 25, 2025. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com
Guests at the Mandarin gala check the model of the new buildings at the Mandarin Residences sales center on May 15, 2025. The hotel is closing at the end of May and will be demolished next year. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com
Guests check the model living room of an apartment at the Mandarin Residences sales center during a hotel closing party on Thursday May 15, 2025. . Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com
Partygoers check the model of living room and the terrace of an apartment at the Mandarin Residences sales center on Thursday May 15, 2025. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com
The soon-to-be demolished hotel
The Mandarin Oriental, Miami is closing on May 31, 2025, after 25 years in business. The hotel will be demolished and redeveloped as a new luxury property with two towers. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com
The Mandarin Oriental in Brickell will be demolished next year to make way for condos and a new hotel. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com
An evening view of The Mandarin Oriental, Miami on Thursday May 15, 2025. . Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com
