The Plymouth South Beach

What’s old is new again, especially in boutique hotels. Miami Beach, more than many American cities, has some fertile history to work with, thanks to its strong Art Deco visual identity. A decade or two ago, the proprietors of a place like the Plymouth Hotel might have filled it up with surreal futuristic whimsy. Today, however, designer Fernando Santangelo, best known for his equally thorough renovations of the Raleigh and L.A.’s Chateau Marmont, turns to vintage furniture and Restoration Hardware.

The result is a sort of time-capsule fantasy version of South Beach, with a touch of the South of France thrown in for good measure — and when it comes to Miami, a little fantasy is a good thing indeed. The new Plymouth recalls the glamour of a sort of mythical bygone age, and feels more substantial than some of the town’s more ostentatious made-for-Instagram spaces. The rooms feel solid and elegant, the suites add free-standing soaking tubs, and there’s plenty of classic comfort to back up the inspired visuals.

Also of note: the Plymouth is home to the Miami Beach outpost of Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar and Grill, which is a welcome addition to the city’s culinary scene. And while the Plymouth sits two blocks back from the beach, you’re not permanently landlocked; the charmingly retro Art Deco pool is complemented the Plymouth’s own beach club, a short walk away.