The Plymouth Hotel, once a 1940 Miami Beach art deco icon, has undergone a complete renovation and has opened as the first boutique hotel for the Think Hospitality Group. Its location on 21st Street is the centerpiece of the emerging Collins Park cultural district in South Beach, facing the Bass Museum and walking distance to both the Convention Center and the beach.
The Plymouth's exterior, including its corner pylon inspired by the "World of Tomorrow" exhibition (as seen at Epcot) at the 1939 New York World's Fair, remains untouched. Though the interior has been reimagined, some original elements are retained, including the restoration of a pair of murals in the lobby by 20th century Russian artist Roman Chatov, whose jewel-toned color scheme of blues, reds, and greens inspired the Plymouth's new design by Fernando Santangelo. "It's definitely tropical, but more South of France than South Florida," said Santangelo, who is also known for the design of the reborn Chateau Marmont in Hollywood and the Raleigh Hotel on in South Beach.
Guests enjoy an exceptional feature of the hotel before they even enter. A gem from the past, the Plymouth's original street-front terrace is a grand outdoor space fitted with swing benches for lounging and huge potted palms that create a playful social space.
Upstairs, instead of following the usual template of uniform design for all rooms, the Plymouth takes a more personal approach, furnishing its 110 guestrooms according to their sizes, shapes and moods.
The Plymouth is the first of two South Beach hotels being renovated by Think Hospitality, which includes real estate developers Shawn Vardi and Hunter Gellin, along with hospitality avant-gardes Michael Satsky and Brian Gefter. The group is also revitalizing the 100-room SoBe, slated to open in 2018.
"The Plymouth feels like a discovery, a private address among those in the know," said Satsky. "We're creating an environment that feels like a getaway, where guests can jump into Miami Beach or disappear in the middle of it. It's not trendy, and it's not anti-scene; it's post-scene. And it looks and feels unlike anything else here."
The hotel's Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill, from Chefs Bruce and Eric Bromberg, is located off the hotel lobby, and includes both an indoor dining room and pergola-covered poolside dining. The duo, whose first Blue Ribbon opened in New York in 1992 and now includes locations in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and London, will also operate the Plymouth's all-day lobby food and bar program as well as offer distinctive poolside eats and room service.
Rates start at $250 and can be booked at the Plymouth.