Featuring upgraded rooms, enhanced amenities, the introduction of Cleo restaurant, along with the Sofi Coffee concept, the Balfour hotel has evolved into a true lifestyle destination in Miami Beach’s trendy South of Fifth neighborhood.
These enhancements to the former Lord Balfour property have attracted new audiences and increased visibility and bookings, particularly among discerning travelers seeking a boutique experience in South Beach.
“We want guests to leave with a sense of calm, connection, and discovery; whether it’s a quiet morning by the courtyard pool, an evening cocktail on Cleo’s terrace, or a reflective moment while walking through our historic halls,’’ hotel General Manager Caroline Groom told me. “The Balfour experience is about understated luxury, local charm, and the feeling that you’ve found a hidden gem in South of Fifth, South Beach’s more refined, residential enclave.
Today’s traveler, particularly to South Florida, Groom said, is seeking authenticity, charm, and a strong sense of place.
“There’s growing demand for a more curated, relaxed South Beach experience, especially among visitors who appreciate Miami’s culture, architecture, and coastal beauty and prefer to avoid the all-night party scene. South of Fifth offers exactly that, and Balfour is ideally positioned as a peaceful, design-forward escape with walkable access to the best of both worlds.’’
Originally opened in 1940, the 82-room boutique property has been redesigned by Bigtime Design Studios in collaboration with Ennismore. It’s the first property outside of the UK to join Morgans Originals under Ennismore.
“Balfour embodies the Morgans Originals spirit by celebrating individuality, design, and cultural nuance through its art deco legacy, modern aesthetic, wellness-first amenities and community-focused spaces,’’ said Groom, who calls the hotel “a modern classic.’’
Given Balfour’s elegant restoration, rich Art Decon heritage, and thoughtfully curated guest rooms and public spaces, “modern classic’’ is a fitting description.
For example, each of Balfour’s rooms include midcentury elements, art deco artwork, and either hardwood or herringbone floors. The hotel, less than a five-minute walk to the Atlantic Ocean, also has a plunge pool, 2,000 square feet of event space.
“The hotel feels personal and character-driven,’’ Groom said. “It tells a local Miami story with global design sensibility, exactly the type of ‘one-of-a-kind,’’ independent hotel with an iconic cultural story at the heart of the Morgans Originals vision.’’
The heartbeat of Balfour is Cleo, Executive Chef Camila Olarte’s outstanding Eastern Mediterranean restaurant. Opened this past June and spanning the entire hotel lobby, terrace and courtyard, Cleo reinforces Olarte’s reputation as one of the top chefs in South Florida and beyond.
Chef Camila Olarte
“Cleo perfectly complements the design and South of Fifth’s relaxed elegance,’’ Groom said. “It brings new vibrancy to the property, while seamlessly integrating into the guest experience. It’s an anchor that gives guests and locals a compelling reason to gather, extending Balfour’s reach and reinforcing our position as a lifestyle destination in South Beach.’’
The same can be said of Sofi Coffee, which Groom called an “intentionally local’’ neighborhood meeting spot, a quiet morning ritual, and a casual connection to the culture of South of Fifth, brought to life through thoughtful design and meaningful programming.
“With curated cultural programming, from daytime coffee parties that spill onto the pool deck to weekend wellness collaborations, it’s designed to cultivate connection and community,’’ Groom said. “Named in tribute to its neighborhood roots, Sofi Coffee (named in tribute to its neighborhood roots) reflects the laid-back charm of South of Fifth, while offering a thoughtful, design-forward experience.’’
Photos Courtesy of Balfour