The James Nautilus Miami Beach® to Open in Late 2026
Jun 02, 2026 4 mins read
The James Hotels® Brand Invites Guests into the World of James, Where Culture, Connection and Curiosity Meet
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA (June 1, 2026) – The James Nautilus Miami Beach® will make its highly anticipated debut in late 2026 as the flagship property of The James Hotels®, a reimagined lifestyle hospitality brand by Sonesta International Hotels. The brand is rooted in timeless design, vibrant social energy, and highly personalized hospitality all inspired by the spirit of James, a charismatic host known for effortless charm, impeccable taste, and a knack for bringing people together. Endlessly curious and always in the know, James surrounds guests with culture, from under-the-radar music and inspired architecture to fashion, art, and fascinating company. The James Nautilus Miami Beach® pays homage to the storied legacy of the original Nautilus Hotel, the iconic Morris Lapidus-designed oceanfront property that opened in the early 1950s as one of Miami Beach’s most glamorous destinations.
“When guests step into the doors of The James Nautilus Miami Beach®, we want them to feel as though they are stepping into a world curated by James himself,” said Elizabeth Harlow, Chief Brand Officer of Sonesta International Hotels. “This is more than the unveiling of a hotel or brand, we’re creating an atmosphere where every guest feels instantly welcomed, inspired, and part of something special.”
Nestled along the sun-kissed shores of Collins Avenue, the 250-room property will blend the playful charm and whimsy of MiMo Miami with a fresh, contemporary perspective designed for today’s modern traveler. Reimagined for a new era, the design of The James Nautilus Miami Beach® has been brought to life by the team at Anderson Miller, thoughtfully honoring the historical legacy and signature design of Lapidus, “The Architect of Joy.”
“The James Nautilus® represents both a new chapter and a thoughtful tribute to one of Miami Beach’s most iconic addresses,” said Carlos Garcia, general manager of The James Nautilus Miami Beach®. “As Collins Avenue enters a renaissance, the property will stand out as a gathering place for both visitors and locals seeking a more intimate and elevated Miami Beach experience.”
Through a partnership with LDV Hospitality, The James Nautilus Miami Beach® will be home to food and beverage outlets conceptualized by the renowned hospitality group behind acclaimed New York City dining destinations including Scarpetta, American Cut, and Barlume. Guests can look forward to a relaxed signature restaurant with Mediterranean-style fare and alfresco seating that extends to the pool and beach, a refined omakase offering meant to create an exclusive dining atmosphere, and a theatrical late-night lounge where guests can gather for cocktails, conversation, and after-dark social energy in a playful, maximalist setting. The restaurants and bars are thoughtfully curated by James as destinations unto themselves, where locals and travelers converge, redefining Miami’s social scene.
The debut of The James Nautilus Miami Beach® marks the beginning of the brand’s long-term vision of expanding into urban destinations, with a Downtown Miami property set to open in 2030. For more information, please visit https://thejames.sonesta.com/or follow along with James on Instagram.
About The James Nautilus Miami Beach®
Purchased by Services Property Trust in June 2023 and managed by Sonesta International Hotel Corporation, the hotel is nestled along the sun-kissed shores of Collins Avenue. The James Nautilus Miami Beach® marks the debut property for the newly reimagined The James Hotels® brand, opening in late 2026. Originally designed by famed architect Morris Lapidus in the 1950s, the 250-room landmark property has been thoughtfully reimagined by Anderson Miller and will feature destination-worthy food and beverage concepts in partnership with NYC-based LDV Hospitality, vibrant gathering spaces, and curated experiences rooted in culture, creativity, and good company. For more information, please visit https://thejames.sonesta.com/.
About The James Hotels®
The James Hotels® is Sonesta International Hotels’ investment in lifestyle hospitality, rooted in great company, timeless sensibility, and destination worthy food and beverage experiences. Inspired by James, a sophisticated host who is always in the know, the brand delivers a concierge-style approach to experiences that feel both classic and modern with effortless charm, local flare, and a discerning eye. With a strong sense of place woven throughout each property, The James Hotels® creates vibrant spaces where guests can connect, discover, and return to time and time again. The James Hotels® will debut in late 2026 with the opening of The James Nautilus Miami Beach®, marking the beginning of the brand’s long-term vision to expand into urban destinations, with a Downtown Miami property set to open in 2030. For more information, visit https://thejames.sonesta.com/.
ABOUT SONESTA
About Sonesta International Hotels
Sonesta is the 8th largest hotel company in the U.S. according to Smith Travel Research (STR) with approximately 1,100 properties totaling 100,000 guest rooms across 13 brands in 10 countries. Sonesta owns, manages and/or franchises under The Royal Sonesta®; The James™, Classico Collection by Sonesta™, Sonesta Hotels, Resorts & Cruises®; MOD Collection by Sonesta™, Sonesta Select®; Sonesta Essential®, Sonesta ES Suites®, Sonesta Simply Suites®, Red Lion Hotels, Inns & Suites by Sonesta®; Signature Inn® by Sonesta; Americas Best Value Inn by Sonesta™ and Canadas Best Value Inn by Sonesta™. Redefining hospitality through its award-winning Sonesta Travel Pass loyalty program, Sonesta offers guests the opportunity to earn and redeem points for unparalleled value and personalized experiences. Sonesta Travel Pass members receive the best rates, earn immediate points towards free nights, and accelerated status progression based on stays. Join now at https://www.sonesta.com/join-travel-pass. For more information about Sonesta visit Sonesta.com or to join our portfolio visit Franchise.Sonesta.com, email development@Sonesta.com or call 617.658.1596.