A rich synthesis of style and luxury unites Delano properties across years and locales, but the brand has never seen itself as traditional. At its core, Delano is a rebel.
“Disruption has always been at the heart of the brand, so its evolution must be progressive in nature to honor its legacy and continue the narrative,” says Phil Zrihen, Ennismore’s COO and group head of Americas. “When Delano opened in Miami in the mid-1990s, it not only revolutionized the hotel scene with its groundbreaking approach to lifestyle hospitality, but it also captured the cultural zeitgeist through thoughtful, impactful partnerships across the worlds of art, fashion, design, and music.”
Delano Dubai offers 251 guestrooms and suites on Dubai’s Bluewaters Island
It’s no wonder, then, that the Philippe Starck-designed Delano Miami Beach remains the brand’s North Star, illuminating a stylish but sophisticated foundation shaping the road ahead. It served as the muse for the newly christened Delano Dubai, the brand’s first outpost in the UAE.
Ennismore joined forces with Elastic Architects, La Bottega, SA Consultants, and Y Design to fashion a contemporary homage to Delano’s Magic City flagship more than 7,800 miles away.
“Approaching the design of the Delano Dubai, we did so with the knowledge that the project would be pivotal in informing the next chapter of the Delano story,” says Mark Eacott, Ennismore global vice president of design. “We wanted to ensure that a reimagined Delano design considered this emotional pull of the original while staying true to its evolutionary spirit.”
From sunken pool furniture to billowing curtains, beloved Miami mainstays abound alongside subdued color accents that offset signature Delano white. Soft lines and grained materials infuse depth and motion as well.
Immersive atmosphere remains essential to the Delano F&B lineup, with staples like the Rose Bar, which is outfitted with rich marble, sumptuous red velvet curtains, and a rose petal design distinguishing the bar.
Rose Bar at Delano Dubai
“This resort is the first tangible embodiment of the brand’s evolution,” Eacott adds, “and in that way stands as a very clear communication on the renewed design direction of Delano and what the world can expect to see from the brand over the coming years.”
Like all good stories, Delano’s evolution is returning to where it began. The Delano Miami Beach is set to reopen in late 2025, with Elastic on board to revitalize the Art Deco gem for a new era. Brand hallmarks like white hues and soft minimalism will envelope guests in organic fluidity, which is especially prominent in the 171 guestrooms and suites, thanks to bespoke lighting and furnishings.
F&B staples, like Rose Bar, will join retail outlets and an event space that will serve as a platform for cultural activations—a tried and true method for Delano to establish a sense of place.
A wellness studio, spa, and a beachfront amenity deck will further amplify luxury along with a pair of pools. Framed views of the glistening Atlantic Ocean is a natural complement to a brand whose formula for reinvention positions them at the precipice of new possibilities.
“Delano seamlessly brings together a stylish understatement with a vibrant social buzz and magnetic energy, creating something entirely unique and relevant for the traveler of today that measures luxury in terms of experiential over materialism,” Zrihen says. “Consumer demand for a brand-led approach to luxury-lifestyle hospitality is established worldwide. However, there is still a huge opportunity to bring an innovative vision to the table.”
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The Waking Eclipse one-bedroom suite at Delano Dubai
Tutto Passa, an Amalfi Coast-inspired restaurant, at Delano Dubai
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