After nearly two decades as one of Marriott’s flagship W Hotels, W South Beach will leave the Marriott portfolio this summer before undergoing an extensive transformation. When the doors reopen in late 2027, the property won’t return as another W-instead, it will debut as Waldorf Astoria Miami Beach, joining Hilton’s most prestigious luxury brand.
For travelers, this isn’t simply a change of logo. It represents one of the most significant luxury hotel brand changes in recent years.
You can find Hilton’s official announcement here.
A New Era for One of Miami Beach's Best-Known Hotels
Located directly on Collins Avenue in the heart of South Beach, W South Beach has long been one of the area’s most recognizable luxury resorts.
Since opening in 2009, W South Beach has distinguished itself from many other lifestyle hotels by offering unusually spacious suites, most with ocean-view balconies, in one of the best beachfront locations. It has attracted celebrities, luxury travelers and Marriott Bonvoy members looking for a more vibrant alternative to traditional luxury hotels.
That chapter is now coming to an end.
The hotel is scheduled to close on August 17, 2026, when Marriott will officially cease operating the property.
The owners plan a comprehensive renovation that will affect virtually every aspect of the resort – from the arrival experience to restaurants, wellness facilities and public spaces. The closure will also temporarily affect more than 300 employees while the redevelopment takes place.
Perhaps the biggest surprise is where the hotel is going next.
Rather than joining another Marriott luxury brand or becoming an independent hotel, the property will enter the Hilton Honors ecosystem as Waldorf Astoria Miami Beach.
According to Hilton, the future Waldorf Astoria Miami Beach will feature 348 newly renovated ocean-view suites together with a completely redesigned arrival experience centered around the brand’s iconic Peacock Alley. Guests can also look forward to new dining concepts, an upgraded spa and wellness area, refreshed pool facilities with private cabanas, and modernized meeting and event spaces – all designed to elevate the property into one of Hilton’s flagship luxury resorts.
What It Means for Marriott Bonvoy Members
For Marriott loyalists, the news is bittersweet.
W South Beach has long been regarded as one of the strongest hotels within the W brand, often commanding some of the highest nightly rates across the entire portfolio.
For Marriott Bonvoy members, the change means saying goodbye to one of the brand’s most desirable beachfront resorts. Once Marriott’s management ends, guests will no longer be able to earn or redeem Bonvoy points at the property or enjoy Marriott elite benefits there. Travelers seeking a similar luxury experience will instead need to look at alternatives such as The Ritz-Carlton South Beach, EDITION Miami Beach or St. Regis Bal Harbour.
What It Means for Hilton Honors Members
Hilton guests, on the other hand, gain an exciting addition.
Waldorf Astoria has become one of Hilton’s fastest-growing luxury brands, with recent openings and announced projects around the world reinforcing its premium positioning.
Once Miami Beach joins the portfolio, members will be able to earn and redeem Hilton Honors points while enjoying one of America’s most desirable beachfront destinations.
We hope Waldorf Astoria Miami Beach will become another excellent option for redeeming Hilton Honors points, just like many other Waldorf Astoria hotels. However, Hilton has not yet announced award pricing, so we’ll have to wait until the hotel opens to see how attractive it will be for points redemptions.
Book Before and After the Transition with GajaDreams Hotels
If you’d like to experience W South Beach before it closes for renovation, you can still book your stay through GajaDreams Hotels and enjoy exclusive Marriott STARS benefits, including complimentary breakfast for two, a $100 hotel credit, room upgrades, early check-in and late check-out (all subject to availability), as well as Marriott Bonvoy points and elite status recognition.
Once the resort reopens as Waldorf Astoria Miami Beach, we will, of course, continue to offer it through Hilton for Luxury with a very similar collection of exclusive luxury benefits – this time combined with Hilton Honors points and elite status recognition.
Conclusion
Brand changes of this scale don’t happen very often.
W South Beach helped define the modern luxury lifestyle hotel in Miami, but its transformation into a Waldorf Astoria signals a shift toward a more timeless and refined luxury experience.
For Hilton Honors members, this is undoubtedly one of the most exciting hotel developments to watch over the next two years.
We’ll certainly be following the renovation closely – and once the doors reopen, it will be high on our list of hotels to experience.
