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  81º

02/13/2011 03:14 PM

South Beach Renaissance Heats Up

By: Valarie D'Elia

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Just when you thought South Beach, Miami pretty much hit its stride, the famed Art Deco district is reinventing itself yet again. NY1's Valarie D'Elia field the following report.

From the up and coming "South of Fifth" neighborhood along Ocean Drive to the restoration of the fabled Shelborne Hotel on Collins Avenue, South Beach, Miami seems to be experiencing a rebirth.

"Ten years ago South Beach wasn't this popular, it wasn't gamebuster people and now everyone wants to be in South Beach," said Keith Menin of Menin Hotels.

South Beach Renaissance Heats Up

The complexion of the pastel-hued hotel row is blushing anew with change, partly at the hands of a 30-year-old hotelier who worked as a bell hop at the famed Shelborne as a teen. Now Menin is doing the metaphorical heavy lifting associated with the upgrade of the 70-year-old Miami Beach icon.

"We're gonna bring back the kind of Hollywood glamour. Like Frank Sinatra actually walked through the lobby today, what would he see? It's kind of like a throwback to that era, but in this day and age," Menin said.

The 220 room condo-hotel is undergoing renovations not only to its facade, rooms and lobby, but to its outdoor pool, restoring the sightline to the beach.

All of the rooms will be redecorated, and as they are only halfway there, guests can take advantage of a $170 rate in an unrenovated room, along with a 20 percent credit to stay at the upgraded hotel on a future visit.

For more information, visit www.meninhotels.com.

Menin Hotels also recently took over the Bentley, with its sexy rooftop pool and views across Ocean Drive to the beach.

The Bentley is offering a complimentary upgrade for the month of February when you tell them Val sent you.

Here's another D'Elia's Deal you don't want to miss, this one at De Rodriguez Ocean, headed up by former New York chef Douglas Rodriquez who dishes out Cuban flavors in his new beachside restaurant. Just mention Val and get a free ceviche.

For more information, visit www.drodriguezocean.com.

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