South Florida

How hotels in Miami are changing. See what’s new and what’s coming

Stories by Miami Herald journalists, with AI summarization

Hotels in Miami are shifting in style and service. New openings include the Gale Miami Hotel & Residences, offering high-rise luxury with unique perks such as a Turkish bath. The 85-year-old Shelborne is being restored with modern touches, bringing back classic features like original facades and a 1950s-inspired pool.

A major new project, Riverside Wharf Miami, will blend hotels, clubs and fresh seafood spots on the river, aiming to attract all-day visitors. Meanwhile, new state laws allow old hotels to be replaced by luxury developments, as seen with the future Casa Cipriani, signaling more dramatic changes ahead for Miami’s iconic beachfront.

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. 1: 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 planned Riverside Wharf Miami

NO. 2: IT WAS A SPOT TO PARTY ON THE MIAMI RIVER. NOW A HOTEL, CLUB AND RAW BAR ARE MOVING IN

See new renderings, learn of updated timeline for the new project. | Published February 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Vinod Sreeharsha

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. 3: 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

An architectural rendering shows the columned base of the Casa Cipriani luxury hotel and condo that would replace two historic hotels on Collins Avenue and 36th Street in Miami Beach. The existing Beach House 8 condo, which applied for approval of the new building jointly with developers 13th Floor Investments, stands immediately to its left.

NO. 4: NEW STATE LAW MEANS MIAMI BEACH CAN’T STOP DEMOLITION OF TWO HISTORIC HOTELS

Plans call for the two long-closed historic structures to be replaced by an ultra-luxury, 17-story Casa Cipriani condo, hotel and private club. | Published April 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Andres Viglucci

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