Historic Hotels in US Unveil Major Restorations

22 July 2002

SRS-WORLDHOTELS has announced that two of its renowned heritage properties in the US have now completed extensive renovations and reappear in renewed splendour. They are the famous Richmond Hotel in Miami Beach and the landmark Barbizon Hotel in New York City, which is now being run as The Melrose Hotel, New York.

Richmond Hotel, Miami Beach

One of the ‘in’ hotels in Miami’s trendy South Beach, the Hotel Richmond is known particularly for its characteristic Art Deco design. This intimate, privately managed property - one of Miami’s ‘Top 5’ hotels - has undergone an extensive restoration during the past few months. It is a member of SRS-WORLDHOTELS’ First Class Collection.

Designed in 1941 by Murrey Dixon, the hotel was one of the first to be built directly on the beach. It is set along the waterfront promenade and offers access to its own 400-foot, white sand beach via a little footbridge. 

The Hotel Richmond’s fully renovated guest rooms and suites are extremely well equipped with comfortable, light-colored furnishings in 1920s style. For business meetings, three modern function rooms are at guests’ disposal. In the rear of the lobby is Ray’s Minema Cinema, where movies and sporting events are shown on a large screen. Other features include the Verandah Café, serving breakfast and lunch, a fitness center, rooftop terrace and solarium, and a stunning oceanside pool.

The Melrose Hotel, New York

Following a US$40-million renovation and modernization, New York’s Barbizon Hotel was reintroduced in June as The Melrose Hotel, New York. The Deluxe Collection property, which was first opened in 1921, is located on Manhattan’s desirable Upper East Side. 

The Barbizon was once billed as New York’s Most Exclusive Hotel Residence for Young Women, serving as a home to rising stars Grace Kelly, Liza Minelli, Candice Bergen and Joan Crawford, among others. In 1981, the landmark property made the transition to a traditional hotel, opening its doors to short-term guests of both genders. 

The ‘Landmark Restaurant’ and ‘Library Bar,’ concepts already well-established at other hotels run by the Melrose company, will pamper guests at the new Melrose Hotel, New York as well. For those who want to stay fit on the road, the hotel also features a 34,000-square-meter Equinox Fitness Club and Spa.