Autograph Collection has announced the addition of The Saint, Blue Moon and Winter Haven hotels to its growing lineup. Each of the hotels is the first to join Autograph Collection in their respective cities: The Saint Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana, and both the Blue Moon Hotel and Winter Haven hotels in Miami Beach, Fla. With these properties, the collection has accumulated an impressive 32 hotels in the portfolio since its launch in 2010, with plans to include up to 60 properties by the end of 2012 in various key markets worldwide.The Saint Hotel
After an extensive $45 million renovation, and just in time for Mardi Gras, The Saint recently reopened its doors on February 9th as the first Autograph Collection hotel in Louisiana. Selected to join the collection based on its notable architectural and historical significance, the hotel was previously known as the historic 103-year old Audubon Building in the world famous French Quarter, reminiscent of early 20th century New Orleans which gave way to the birth of jazz.
Ideally located two blocks away from the early jazz clubs frequented by legendary performers, such as Louis Armstrong, the 166-room hotel features interiors decorated with large black and white photographic murals of the early 1900s, and exposed brick and bright blue and white deco style décor. Its restaurant, Sweet Olive, provides a mélange of reinvented Southern culinary classics, including Rabbit Jambalaya and Wild Boar Rillette. True to its jazz roots, The Saint also includes a jazz club called the Burgundy Bar, with a rooftop bar slated to open in the spring.
Winter Haven Hotel & Blue Moon Hotel
As of early April, the iconic Winter Haven Hotel & legendary Blue Moon Hotel will be the first properties to join the Autograph Collection in Miami Beach, Fla. The Winter Haven Hotel, initially designed by acclaimed architect Albert Anis, the property was first unveiled on Ocean Drive in 1939. The oceanfront hotel’s exclusive location lends to guests’ unique experience of the most famous and energetic street on South Beach, immersing them in the elegance of the Art Deco movement of days gone by. The hotel’s interiors are nautical inspired, an ode to the majestic ocean liners of the era, with a blend of modern touches, including terrazzo flooring, glass blocks, chrome finished railings and a grand cruise ship-inspired staircase. Winter Haven’s bar also exudes a mid-century “martini joint” vibe, with black rounded marble top tables, original wood fascia and stainless steel foot rails. In early 2012, Winter Haven will also undergo restoration while ensuring that the historical integrity of the property is conserved.
Blue Moon Hotel is an intimate boutique sanctuary replete with 1930s charm. The hotel is tucked away on popular Collins Avenue and is a seamless combination of Art Deco and Mediterranean influences coupled with modern and sophisticated touches. Conveniently located just a few steps away from the beach, boutiques and bistros on Ocean Drive, the iconic hotel remains a key staple in South Beach.
The Blue Moon Hotel is a composite of two former hotels – the Lafayette and Les Suites – and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. To ensure the historical attributes of the property are preserved, the hotel will undergo restoration efforts in early 2012.
