Hotel Restorations

The Art Deco district in South Beach runs from 6th to 23rd Streets along Ocean Drive, Collins Avenue, and Washington Avenue. The splendid array of Art Deco buildings here--over 800 of them--were built in the 1920s and 1930s. They incorporated whimsical Florida details, such as flamingos, sunbursts, and pastel colors into European Art Deco designs to create a uniquely American style.

By the 1970s, most of the Art Deco buildings had fallen into disrepair. Developers were drawing up plans to raze them to make way for high-rise hotels and condominiums. They might have done it if not for the work of one ambitious woman, Barbara Capitman. Starting with the creation of the Miami Design Preservation League in 1976, Ms. Capitman helped to raise millions of dollars of private funding to help save and restore the Art Deco district. South Beach today is a tribute to her organization and tireless efforts.

Restored Art Deco Hotels

The many Art Deco hotels along Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue were brought back to their former glory during the 1980s and 1990s. Private investors infused the area with millions of dollars. Today, the area shines. Details such as porthole windows, rounded corners, Neon marquees, and etched glass adorn these buildings.

The Art Deco Hotels in Miami Beach offer unique accommodations. Mostly low-rise buildings, from three to eight-storied, these period hotels are fun, flamboyant, and tropical. Most of these Art Deco hotels are just a short walk away from dining, shopping, and the beach. Many even have world-class restaurants in the ground level of the hotel, offering a true Florida experience.