A Waldorf Astoria is coming to Miami Beach. See plans for the luxury hotel

The W South Beach hotel will become the Waldorf Astoria Miami Beach, managed by Hilton, following building-wide renovations now in the planning stage.

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The fancier, more extravagant hotel at 2201 Collins Ave. is expected to open in winter 2027.

The W will close this summer so work can begin. On Aug. 19, the hotel will lay off 337 employees, according to a letter required by the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, a federal law known as WARN.

The management agreement between Hilton and owner Reuben Brothers marks Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts debut in Miami Beach, according to a July 7 statement by both companies. The high-end Waldorf Astoria brand is part of Hilton.

Hilton would manage the hotel following renovations. The Marriott will cease running the 20-story oceanfront hotel after Aug. 20.

“This signing reflects the continued momentum of Hilton’s luxury portfolio growth in highly sought-after destinations across the Americas,” Danny Hughes, Hilton’s Americas president, said in the statement.

Neither company gave specifics on plans for the laid-off employees. A Reubens Brothers spokesperson said: “We are working closely with the Hilton, the incoming management operator, to support employees through the transition and to explore opportunities for team members to return to the hotel or pursue other employment opportunities where possible.”

What’s coming to the Waldorf Astoria in Miami Beach?

What can guests expect from the new hotel when it opens in over one year?

Luxury travelers will find the following:

• 348 newly refreshed suites, all with ocean views and balconies.
• A new lobby and Peacock Alley, the brand’s signature gathering place for guests and locals.
• A new food and beverage program.
• A newly curated spa and wellness experience, with an enhanced fitness center.
• Improvements to the 48,000-square-foot pool deck, including private cabanas.
• Revitalized event spaces for private gatherings, celebrations and social occasions.

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Reuben Brothers’ plans

The owners, the Reuben Brothers, say they don’t plan on demolishing the building. But they said the lobby and all guest rooms would be renovated, according to an application the company submitted to the Miami Beach Historic Preservation Board in 2026.

“Every room will feature a private balcony and sea view, while the public spaces will offer exceptional dining and elegant event venues,” Kim Phoebus, the company’s chief operating officer of U.S. hotels said in a statement.

According to the submission, the pool deck and pool bar would get upgrades and the seating capacity at hotel restaurants and bars would increase. A pâtisserie, a bakery of French caliber, is also in the works, and will come with an outdoor courtyard.

The new owners are also planning a new members club, a growing trend in South Florida. They also want to add a members-only drop-off at 23rd Street.

“Miami Beach is a globally renowned locale with strong demand for elevated hospitality, and we are proud to partner with Reuben Brothers to introduce Waldorf Astoria in a way that both celebrates the city’s character and sets a new benchmark for modern luxury,” said Hughes, the Hilton executive.

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Waldorf Astoria Miami Beach will participate in Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest-loyalty program, the company said.

Humble origins for the hotel site

The W South Beach was a Holiday Inn before Miami Beach resumed its efforts to win back high-end tourists and well-heeled foreigners. The Holiday Inn was demolished in 2006 and then the W went up, offering hotel rooms and private residences.

In late 2024, new owners came on board when the investment firm Reuben Brothers acquired the property for $425 million. The resort then had 175 hotel rooms and 173 private condos, also totaling 348.

The firm is run by the British brothers David Reuben and Simon Reuben. It has properties in Rome, London, New York and Capri, including Hotel La Palma.

The new Waldorf Astoria Miami Beach is located in the Collins Waterfront Historic District. After a presentation and discussion on April 14, the Miami Beach Historic Preservation Board voted to approve a certificate of appropriateness for the project but with conditions and limitations.

The board didn’t approve the building of a private club or the partial demolition requested of a wall that would allow the space to open up to the outside. The two parties agreed to revisit that, and the owners will have to return to the Board.

The project faces some neighborhood opposition, especially from those living next door at the Roney Palace condominium, several who aren’t happy about possible noise and traffic worsening on 22nd Street and Collins Avenue.

In addition to going back to the board, the owners still have to get the Miami Beach Planning Board’s approval.

For Waldorf Astoria, the hotel will be one of 40 worldwide. The brand also has a growing presence in South Florida.

The Waldorf Astoria Hotel & Residences Miami, a skyscraper designed to resemble a stack of offset blocks, is rising in downtown Miami with an expected completion in 2028.

The original Waldorf Astoria hotel opened in New York City in the 1890s. After it was demolished in 1929, the current flagship hotel was completed in 1931.

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