August 5, 2015

Steve Levine / Steady70 Photography: Wraps up photo shoot @ the Aloft South Beach



Steve Levine /Steady70 Photography was chosen as the official  photographer by Aloft South Beach and Starwood Hotels and Resorts to photograph the new Aloft South Beach.

”Aloft’s First Resort-Style Hotel Reinvents the Boutique Experience With Welcoming Atmosphere and Playful Environment on Miami’s South Beach”



 Aloft South Beach selected Steve Levine /Steady70 Photography to photograph the property and the amenities which included some of the suites in the newly renovated 235 loft-like rooms, the lobby and façade which was built on the foundation of the historic 1954 Ankara Motel, re:mix (Snack Bar),  WXYZSM Bar, the splash pool that offers private cabanas and the Plunge Deck Bar.


"As Miami continues to emerge as a leading international travel destination welcoming guests to a lively and exciting environment, Aloft South Beach embodies a trendy playground setting that is perfectly suited for a range of global travelers who are visiting for leisure or business," says General Manager Leslie Weil



South Beach continues to be the global epicenter of what's new, fresh and alluring in Miami and that is further exemplified as JMH Development, Madden Real Estate Ventures and Starwood Hotels & Resorts announced the official opening of Aloft South Beach at 2360 Collins Avenue on May 28.

       Aloft South Beach wraps guests in a warm and buzzing environment from the moment they enter the property by offering an array of modern amenities, intuitive technology, and playfully engaging spaces surrounding their

Aloft South Beach opened in Spring 2015, Aloft South Beach caters to modern trendsetters looking for a different kind of travel experience


       235 loft-like rooms. It also ushers in Continental Miami, an exciting new dining destination established by acclaimed restaurateur Stephen Starr. Building on the foundation of the historic 1954 Ankara Motel, the Aloft South Beach has taken great care to preserve the Art Deco-inspired architecture on the exterior while breathing fresh life into a newly constructed interior with contemporary elements. The design and furnishings were chosen to strike a balance between the hotel’s relaxed spirit, its Miami Beach location, and the structure’s historic significance. Components of the hotel that have retained their original form include the classic brick walls of the Historic Wing, refurbished Ankara Motel signage and the pool shape. Inside, modern design takes center stage as a translucent staircase welcomes guests into the thriving two- story atrium with custom leather wrapping and a striking light fixture inspired by drum cymbals.  


On the main floor, the re:mix features a custom chandelier by Yellow Goat Design made of 1,000 colored acrylic lighting rods descending from the ceiling.  SM lounge – home to the brand’s signature Live at Aloft Hotels on-going live music series and creative craft cocktails – is a hub for guests and locals to mingle over drinks or a  game of pool, and connects to W XYZSM Bar. An onsite herb garden yields refreshing garden-to-glass cocktail ingredients for the creations coming from the bar. W XYZSM seamlessly transitions to the outside deck by way of a 36 foot sliding glass wall, where the splash pool offers private cabanas nestled between the pool and the lake. For guests’ convenience, solar-powered charging stations are available outside to revive guests’ favorite tech gadgets.  Looking up from the pool area to the third level is the hotel’s Plunge deck, outfitted with daybeds under a canopy of Strawberry Guava trees and a four-sided infinity edge water feature serving as a visually intriguing design element. At the Plunge Deck Bar, a variety of games including bocce, oversized tic-tac-toe, beanbag toss and a large dice game tying into hotel offerings will all keep guests entertained on the outdoor deck.


On Collins Avenue, Aloft South Beach’s Continental Miami restaurant continues the culinary tradition that has earned Stephen Starr prestigious accolades from bon appetit and Zagat as “Restaurateur of the Year.” The restaurant features a menu of continental classics and Asian specialties created from fresh, local and seasonal ingredients. Adjacent to both the pool deck and lake, a waterfront deck with enclave seating offers an inviting space for outdoor dining. Continental Miami is easily accessible for early birds and night owls opening at 7 a.m. and closing at 2 a.m. For snacks on the go, the nearby re:fuelSM café invites guests to enjoy Nespresso coffee, OnJuice pressed juices, kale chips and other grab & go choices while the WXYZSM Bar offers small bites for patrons of the bar.

Opening rates begin at $229 per night. For more information about Aloft South Beach, visit www.aloftsouthbeach.com, www.facebook.com/AloftSouthBeachHotel, email info@aloftsouthbeach.com or call 1-877-GO-ALOFT.

A special shout out to the team at Aloft South Beach – Claudia Passamonti, Leslie Weil and the rest of the Aloft South Beach team that made this photo shoot successful.


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"I drift like a cloud, Across these venerable eastern lands, A journey of unfathomable distances, An endless scroll of experiences" Tom Carter, China: Portrait of a People