How hotels are changing in Miami and Fort Lauderdale

Hotels across South Florida are undergoing significant transformations, with new openings and multimillion-dollar renovations.

Miami's hotel scene is introducing cutting-edge amenities such as Turkish baths, expanded event spaces, and hybrid models blending high-end residences and boutique accommodations.

Notable projects include the newly opened Gale Miami and the $100 million redevelopment of historic landmarks like the Shelborne.

Fort Lauderdale is witnessing a shift towards sophistication, highlighted by revamped icons like Pier Sixty-Six and contemporary luxury offerings like the Four Seasons.

Take a look at some of the changes.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

NO. 1: THIS MIAMI BEACH HOTEL IS CLOSING BUT WILL RETURN WITH TWO JOSé ANDRéS RESTAURANTS

This Art Deco gem is going to be closing at the end of the month but will be reborn. | Published March 6, 2024 | Read Full Story by Vinod Sreeharsha

A beautiful beach with luxurious amenities and water adventures is part of the allure of Fort Lauderdale and the Four Seasons Hotel & Residences. By Bronwyn Knight

NO. 2: DISCOVER FORT LAUDERDALE’S SOPHISTICATED SIDE AS A VACATION DESTINATION

Whether you’re looking for bites on the beach or a luxury hotel, this itinerary for Fort Lauderdale has you covered. | Published April 30, 2024 | Read Full Story by Angela Caraway-Carlton

Macarena Vargas works the front desk inside the lobby of the Gale Hotel and Residence that is opening soon. The Gale Hotel and Residence gave a preview of its property along with amenities during a tour on Thursday, May 16, 2024 in Miami, Florida. By Carl Juste

NO. 3: THIS NEW MIAMI HOTEL IS PACKED WITH FOOD, A GYM, EVEN A TURKISH BATH. SEE FOR YOURSELF

Get a sneak peek with these photos. | Published May 23, 2024 | Read Full Story by Vinod Sreeharsha

Rendering of street view of new convention center

NO. 4: THIS LUXURIOUS MIAMI BEACH HOTEL IS OPENING A NEW SPACE FOR EXTRAVAGANT EVENTS

We give you a taste of what’s to come. | Published June 26, 2024 | Read Full Story by Vinod Sreeharsha

NO. 5: HAVE YOU TRIED ANY OF THESE NEW OR AWARD-WINNING HOTELS IN MIAMI?

From waterfront resorts to new luxury spots, discover Miami hotels for every type of traveler. | Published September 25, 2024 | Read Full Story

The Mandarin Oriental on Brickell Key will be demolished for two new resort and condo towers. By PATRICK FARRELL

NO. 6: A SIGNATURE MIAMI LUXURY HOTEL IS CLOSING AND WILL BE REPLACED BY TWO NEW TOWERS

What we know about the plans. | Published December 20, 2024 | Read Full Story by Vinod Sreeharsha

View of a building part of the Pier Sixty-Six development, set on 32 waterfront acres along Ft. Lauderdale’s 17th Street Causeway and the Intracoastal Waterway, Pier Sixty-Six was originally established in the 1950s as a fuel dock and gas station for Phillips 66 Petroleum, on Tuesday, May 07, 2024. By Pedro Portal

NO. 7: A LANDMARK HOTEL JUST REOPENED IN FORT LAUDERDALE. WHAT ABOUT THE ROTATING ROOFTOP?

Here’s what you can expect after major renovations. | Published January 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Vinod Sreeharsha

Add the beautiful Opal Sol to your must-visit list in 2025.

NO. 8: TAKE AN INSIDE LOOK AT THE MOST ANTICIPATED FLORIDA HOTELS SET TO OPEN IN 2025

Florida’s hotel scene is heating up for 2025 with new stays opening statewide. Explore circus vibes, rooftop pools, beach clubs, and more. | Published January 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Angela Caraway-Carlton

The Shelborne South Beach is undergoing an $85 million renovation. Above: The iconic Miami Modern-style hotel shown on Friday, March 28, 2014. By MARSHA HALPER

NO. 9: AN 85-YEAR-OLD HOTEL IN MIAMI BEACH JUST GOT A $100M UPGRADE. SEE WHAT’S NEW — AND OLD

“Our focus was on respecting the building’s storied past.” | Published February 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Vinod Sreeharsha

The Ritz-Carlton in Key Biscayne opened in 2001. By Chuck Fadely

NO. 10: A MAJOR MIAMI HOTEL IS CLOSING FOR A $100M REMODEL THAT WILL LAY OFF HUNDREDS OF WORKERS

Here’s the timeline for the changes to a signature resort. | Published March 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Vinod Sreeharsha

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.