Aloft South Beach, Miami, opens

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Powering ahead in dynamic markets worldwide, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.® has announced the opening of Aloft South Beach. Located in Miami Beach, Florida, the adaptive re-use Aloft hotel features 235 spacious, loft-like rooms, a buzzing social atmosphere and innovative brand programming in a scenic lakefront setting. Developed by JMH Development and Madden Real Estate Ventures and managed by Sage Hospitality, Aloft South Beach has transformed the 1960’s-era Motel Ankara and includes a new eight-story tower. Aloft South Beach offers stunning waterfront views and access to Lake Pancoast and the Collins Canal, which wrap around the property. Just one block from Miami Beach, the new Aloft hotel is just minutes from the world-renowned South Beach, the Miami Beach Convention Centre, several art galleries, the Bass Museum of Art and numerous night clubs, restaurants and boutiques. Hotel facilities include an outdoor pool, roof deck lounge, 24-hour fitness centre and 2,349 square feet of flexible meeting space ideal for both business meetings and social gatherings. Fast and free wi-fi is available throughout the hotel.

The Aloft brand’s innovative and exclusive initiatives set it apart from the competition. Aloft Hotels recently announced the launch of SPG Keyless—an evolution of Aloft’s Smart Check-in— the hospitality industry’s first mobile, keyless entry system allowing guests to use their smart phone as a key. The technology is rolling out to all Aloft, Element and W Hotels Worldwide by year’s end. This forward-thinking initiative is part of the brand’s innovative DNA. Additionally, every Aloft Hotel around the world offers live, free access to local emerging artists and some of the hottest bands with Live at Aloft Hotels programming at the W XYZ® bars.

“We’re delighted to open this unique, stylish Aloft hotel in South Beach,” said Jason Halpern, principal in JMH Development, who has a track record of restoring historic structures. “Through this project, we were able to breathe new life into a historic South Beach building while simultaneously creating an aesthetically appealing new hotel in an unbeatable location.”

“Aloft South Beach will become a favourite of both travellers and locals,” said Mitchell Hochberg principal of Madden Real Estate Ventures. “The W XYZ bar, the pool overlooking Lake Pancoast, and the outdoor roof deck lounge create a unique fun environment that captures what South Beach is all about.”

Daniel Fountain / 20.06.2015

Editor, Hotel Designs

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Fun fact: I’m usually the person friends rely on to organise trips, schedules, and group plans.

Workhighlights: Successfully coordinating events from planning through to delivery and seeing everything come together on the day.

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Fun fact: People tell Sienna she gives off Bridget Jones vibes, and she loves to bake, always making sure there are shortbreads floating around the office

Work highlights: Sienna joined Forum Events & Media Group while studying Communications and Media, starting in the sales team where she managed and helped launch the first the PA Life Leading Venues of London SHOWCASE, where she built relationships with luxury venues across the capital. Drawn to the stories behind these spaces, she naturally transitioned into the editorial team, creating social media and editorial content. Upon graduating in June 2026, she is excited to be joining as Assistant Editor for Hotel Designs and SPACE.

Fun fact: When not working, Jess can usually be found tending to her kitchen garden in the Sussex countryside or foraging for herbs in the nearby woods. A keen grower, she recently studied a RHS Level 2 Diploma in the Principles of Horticulture during her spare time.

Work highlights: Jess joined SPACE magazine in 2022 and has since progressed from Assistant Editor to Editor. During this time, she has worked across many aspects of the publication – from shaping editorial strategy and overseeing operations to contributing to art direction and representing the brand on stage at industry events including Surface Design Show and WOW!house.

Alongside her role at SPACE, Jess has built a creative career spanning the arts, culture, design and travel sectors. Prior to joining the magazine, she spent more than a decade in the commercial art industry, in artist liaison, gallery management, and curating collections for the hospitality sector across hotels and cruise ships. During this time, she also worked on freelance projects as a writer, photographer, and creative content producer.
 
Jess studied photojournalism at London College of Communication and the Danish School of Media and Journalism and holds a first-class BA (Hons) in Culture, Criticism and Curation from Central Saint Martins.

Fun fact: Katy has spent years perfecting all kinds of accents and loves a good impersonation!

Work highlights: Katy has been with Hotel Designs since the beginning, way back in 2015 when Forum Events & Media Group acquired the brand.

During this time, she has fostered many meaningful relationships with clients from across the hospitality spectrum, as well as playing a pivotal role in the launch of The Brit List Awards, Hotel Designs MEET UPs, client-led roundtables and panel talks, brand and website redesigns, HD Wellness Sets, DESIGN POD podcast, Hotel Designs LIVE panel talk series, Accessible Design Talks and more. Katy is always on the lookout for the next opportunity to help grow the Hotel Designs brand even further.
 
Most recently Katy has stepped in to the role of Publisher atSPACE magazine, the printed bi-monthly publication focused on hotel design, architecture, and development.
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