The Colony Hotel
Just steps from the Atlantic Ocean and Worth Avenue, The Colony Hotel welcomes locals and visitors alike with authentic boutique service through accommodations, curated amenities and culinary offerings. The 89-room hotel has been celebrated for its iconic pink-infused aesthetic since it opened in 1947, and in turn, the property has made periodic updates in order to accommodate its modern guests. Over the years, The Colony has collaborated with the likes of Aerin Lauder, Serena & Lily and Celerie Kemble of Kemble Interiors to create one-of-a-kind villa experiences with individual design schemes and custom décor. The most recent villa design comes from a collaboration with interior designer Mark D. Sikes. Sikes reimagined and restored the hotel’s 1,100-square-foot Villa Aralia to embody a classic but cool attitude, drawing inspiration from the hotel itself. The signature blue-and-white interiors in Villa Aralia mimic the hotel’s café awnings that Sikes grew familiar with as a regular hotel guest over the years.
Villa Aralia at The Colony Hotel (Carmel Brantley)
“Mark’s vision reflects the same optimistic spirit that we try to encapsulate at the hotel,” says The Colony’s owner and president, Sarah Wetenhall. “His style is fresh but timeless, exactly like The Colony.” Sikes incorporated furniture from his new collection with Chaddock in white lacquer, brass lighting fixtures from his collection with Hudson Valley Lighting and custom window treatments from Valley Drapery into the villa apartment’s interior design. The Villa Aralia is one of seven individually decorated spaces on the property where guests can not only bask in the curated design but enjoy personalized amenities like butler service, access to the exclusive villa pool and transportation around Palm Beach.
Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale
Surrounded by sun-soaked beaches, vibrant entertainment and endless shopping, it is safe to say that the new Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale is in good company. The recently opened 189-room hotel was dreamed up by Fort Hospitality, led by developer Nadim Ashi, to create a beachfront oasis in South Florida rooted in style and luxury. “Each of South Florida’s coastal communities has its own unique charm. From beach to city, Fort Lauderdale has a youthful and vibrant spirit, and we are channeling that energy, along with yacht club–style traditions, into our team and all the experiences we are creating for our guests,” says General Manager Mazen Saleh, who was most recently resort manager at Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach.
The pool at the Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale
Drawing inspiration from its coastal environment, award-winning Miami-based architect Kobi Karp designed the building’s curved silhouette in homage to the sleek lines of a luxury yacht. With contemporary lines and crisp white materials, the building itself is a vision that beautifully complements its city. Renowned London-based interior designer Tara Bernerd & Partners curated the hotel’s rooms, suites and public spaces with an effortless marriage of French Riviera luxury and mid-century modern design. The new hotel features both suites and hotel residences, luxurious spa and wellness offerings, oceanfront dining at Evelyn’s Fort Lauderdale and an elegant champagne bar.
