Grammy-winning pop singer Gloria Estefan, and her Grammy-winning music producer husband Emilio, just finished a $15 million redesign of the sexy Cardozo South Beach hotel on Ocean Drive. And PEOPLE has a first look inside!
After a nearly four-year closure, the iconic 1939 created Art Deco hotel, which the couple purchased around 1992, has just reopened with 41 brand new guest rooms and suites, and the Northern Italian BiCE Cucina Miami restaurant.
“We can’t wait for our friends around the world to experience the new Cardozo because it is so personal, and we like people to feel comfortable and relaxed when they are with us,” Gloria, 61, tells PEOPLE during an exclusive tour, after which she is leaving for London to promoteOn Your Feet!,the traveling jukebox musical based on her life.
“Plus, Emilio is hands-on and made sure every detail was created beautifully,” she adds.
Maurizio Leoni
Inside the modern white vibe is mixed and matched with elements from the Cardozo’s historic original decor.
Tony hotel accommodations include white bed frames with shiny mother-of-pearl headboards, glossy cabinets that line matte white walls, and spacious bathrooms outfitted with smooth white tiles and shapely gold fixtures.
“Emilio and I have traveled the world for our music, and we know what we like in a hotel room,” Gloria continues, pointing out a pristine headboard. “While Emilio is a visionary, I am logical about what works, often adding history and color. We work together to personalize everything and are on the same page.”
They also added modern amenities not often found in South Beach’s historic buildings, including individual temperature controls in each guest room, showers with adequate pressure, outlets on both sides of the bed, luggage racks that are out of the way, walk-in closets, and great lighting in the bathrooms for applying makeup and shaving.
“We have appointments of luxurious sheets for guests when they lay down in the bed, and the thick towels are made of the finest quality,” Gloria adds.
With help from south Florida’s music loving architect Aldo Ducci, Emilio personally redesigned much of the chic yet friendly hotel using furniture, art and accessories from the couple’s private homes and work spaces.
“I love sculpture and art, so I buy what I like when we travel and then see where they work when we return,” Emilio, 66, tells PEOPLE while pointing out unusual pieces. “I place it around our home, so I have brought some of it to the Cardozo. I love doing this.”
Super spectacular is the Cardozo’s newly designed 1,500-square-foot penthouse on the third floor, which was created for celebrity guests likeJennifer Lopez, Ricky Martin, and other international stars.
In the hallway, Emilio points out recently framed photos of Gloria on the beach in Brazil recording her next album, and another where he is pounding his beloved conga drum.
“We put our heart and soul into this redesign,” he says. “We love Miami and wanted to make the hotel special.”
The hotel’s illustrious history mirrors that of the city of Miami.
The Cardozo started as a housing facility for U.S. Army recruits and trainees during World War II then transformed into a glamorous movie set.
But nothing seems to strike a chord like the Cardozo.
When Gloria was two-and-a-half years old and enjoying a family gathering across the street from the hotel, she made a prediction with amazing prescience.
“My mom asked me why I was looking at the Cardozo,” Gloria says.
“I think I was so excited to be on the beach because we never went to the beach in Cuba. I told her that when I grow up I am going to buy my dad this hotel!”
And the rest is history.
source: people.com
