HOTEL HAPPENINGS

The Bentley Beach Hotel recently opened Vivi, a new Italian ristorante and bar by celebrated restaurateur Tom Billante, located directly on 1st and Ocean Drive. Construction of the hotel's new 2,000-square-foot Sunrise Ballroom is expected to be complete in the Fall of 2008.  For more information, visit www.TheBentleyHotels.com.

On October 1, 2007, the Biltmore Hotel will unveil its newly restored and enriched golf course.  Opened in 1925, the classic 18-hole, par 71 golf course was designed by the legendary Donald Ross, one of the most revered golf course architects in the history of the game.  Studies of original plans and vintage aerial photographs are being used to ensure that the original Donald Ross design is both preserved and enhanced.  All greens, tees and bunkers will be re-built and grassed to contemporary standards offering the highest quality playing conditions on a consistent, year-round basis.  More than $5 million has been committed to the carefully conceived enrichment plan, which includes new environment-friendly free-span bridges, as well as restaurant, pro shop and club house enhancements. For more information, visit www.BiltmoreHotel.com.

The Blue Moon Hotel in South Beach is in the midst of completing a $300,000 renovation to its 75 rooms and public areas. For more information, visit www.BlueMoonHotel.com.

The Clevelander Hotel, Miami Beach’s legendary outdoor bar, will embark on an eighteen-month, twenty-million dollar renovation project starting this May. In collaboration with the STA Architecture Group and interior designer Zyscovich, the hotel will introduce a revamped lobby and guest rooms, a new sports bar and other bars, and a rooftop lounge area in fall 2008. In addition, super-sized photo murals wrapping the entire building, concealing the scaffolding, will contribute to the pool area’s ambiance, add a graphic punch to Ocean Drive throughout the 18-month renovation, and will continue to make it the best place to party in South Beach.  The hotel’s popular poolside restaurant, bars and open-air performance areas will be back in action on June 1 and will remain open throughout the entire renovation period. During this time reservation inquiries will be referred to the Clevelander’s sister property, the Essex Hotel, located at 1001 Collins Avenue. Located at 1020 Ocean Drive in Miami Beach’s historic Art Deco district, The Clevelander has been a South Beach landmark and a hot spot for locals, pro athletes, models and Hollywood glitterati. For construction updates on this signature South Beach hot spot and other information, visit www.clevelander.com.

A West Palm Beach luxury boutique hotel and resort investment company has bought the 179-room Mayfair House Hotel. Ceebraid-Signal Corp. bought the property from Mayfair House Hotel LLC. Considered an architectural landmark, the hotel was designed by the architect Kenneth Treister. Terms were not disclosed. The hotel's former owner had filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection, which was dismissed. The new owner plans to add a rooftop pool and bar, spa, and multiple restaurants and nightlife venues. Repositioning will handled by Ceebraid-Signal's new Obadon Hotel Group, led by Eric Ewoldt and Jay Litt. Ewoldt is former executive vice president of Ian Schrager Hotels and Doral Hotels & Resorts, and former vice president and managing director of Ritz-Carlton. As an executive vice president for Wyndham Hotels and Resorts and has, Litt has managed five-star properties throughout the United States and the Caribbean, including the St. Regis in New York City.

Metropolitan Miami's Met 2 project, a real estate joint venture between MDM Development Group and MetLife, will be home to the country's first Miami Met Marquis hotel, a signature new addition to the exclusive JW Marriott Collection Hotels. Soaring 42 stories over the heart of Miami, the new 396-room property will offer five-star luxury in the city's most technologically advanced hotel.  Miami Met Marquis will also be home to one of Miami's most talked about new restaurants - Chef Daniel Boulud's DB Bistro Moderne.  Other Miami Met Marquis amenities and services include: 20,000 square feet of retail shops split between the first and second floors; a world-class spa and full-service gym facilities with locker rooms, pool and Jacuzzi; and 25,000 square feet of column-free ballroom and meeting space.  For more information, visit www.MetropolitanMiami.com.

The Newport Beachside Hotel & Resort is currently undergoing a million dollar renovation A new lobby and public area with classic features in marble and wood have already been completed, tying into the new 6,800-square-foot Atlantis Ballroom. In the months to come, the building will be repainted to blend in with many of the new high-rise structures on Sunny Isles Beach.  Construction has also begun on the 4,000 square-foot Elements Spa slated to open this Fall.  In addition, Michael Blum, award-winning proprietor of the popular Michael’s Kitchen, will open his second eatery at the Newport in November featuring a varied menu, oversized portions and a unique lounge concept with weekend entertainment.  For more information, visit www.NewportBeachsideResort.com.

The Regent Bal Harbour, an uber-luxurious 124-room hotel described as "the epitome of sophistication and refinement," is set to open this Fall. In the exclusive Bal Harbour Village known for its designer shops, within a highly coveted affluent beach community, the 17- story hotel is also just a short ride from South Beach. Here, Regent unveils its 21st century answer to bathroom luxe: a six-fixture bathroom with 10-foot, floor-to-ceiling windows, in-mirror plasma television, and freestanding tub with ocean view. With the first Guerlain Spa in North America, a spectacular signature restaurant, specially commissioned private art works and 750 feet of pristine beachfront with cabanas, the hotel sets a new Florida standard for oceanfront luxury and sophisticated chic. Other special features include a Presidential Suite with media room, grand piano, sauna and 46-bottle wine storage; 180 degree views from all guest rooms and suites; and semi-private and private elevators to all rooms and suites for maximum privacy. Heading up the hotel is Guenter Richter, whose pedigree includes luxury icons such as the Hotel Bel-Air, The Mansion on Turtle Creek, The Waldorf-Astoria and The St. Regis in New York.  For more information, visit www.RegentHotels.com/BalHarbour.

Solé on the Ocean in Sunny Isles Beach will open in October 2007. The 250-room Solé on the Ocean will feature a dramatic two-story lobby facing the ocean and contemporary styling by world-renown Stephane Dupoux, recognized for his work at Nikki Beach Club and Pearl in Miami Beach and Buddha Bar in New York.  This pet-friendly North Miami Beach hotel will boast state-of-the-art technology, Kimpton lifestyle luxury services and thoughtful amenities such as an on-site fitness center and spa services; infinity-edged pool; business center, concierge services and 5,000-square-feet of event and meeting space. In addition, Christiane Celle’s upscale hippie-chic reigns supreme at Solé’s Calypso boutique.  An outpost of the Manhattan-based collection of shops, Calypso will offer their coveted line of sultry resort wear, home accents and more. Owned by Wavestone Properties and managed by Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Solé on the Ocean will unveil two distinct oceanfront dining and lounge experiences with indoor and outdoor seating.  For more information, visit www.SoleontheOcean.com.

The Tides South Beach, the signature hotel of the newly launched luxury Tides brand, will debut its complete new redesign by trend-setting designer Kelly Wearstler in late Summer 2007.  Wearstler respects the integrity of the Art Deco bone structure while bringing a contemporary new chic-by-the-shore energy to all 45 ocean-view rooms and public spaces including the grand lobby, the new restaurant La Marea, Martini and Coral bars, and refashioned pool deck featuring Wearstler’s signature cabanas.  The Founders Program also provides initial buyers the opportunity to buy into the newly created Tides brand and offers buyers one-of-a-kind incentives, enhanced services and real estate opportunities for up to 10 years. For more information, visit www.TidesSouthBeach.com.

The Winter Haven Hotel in South Beach has recently completed a $1.4 million renovation to its 71 rooms, public areas and exterior. For more information, visit www.WinterHavenHotelSoBe.com.