You probably remember the bright pink and blue striped umbrellas. Maybe you remember the mid-century glamour of the 1950s Crown Hotel tower or the way the backyard felt like a colorful, retro movie set. If you’re looking for The Confidante Miami Beach Hyatt, there is something you need to know: it’s gone.
Well, it hasn't disappeared, but it has completely shed its skin.
After years of being the crown jewel of Hyatt’s Unbound Collection in Florida, the property at 4041 Collins Avenue underwent a massive, $60 million transformation. It officially reopened in May 2025 as the Andaz Miami Beach. If you show up looking for the quirky, "trusted friend" vibe of The Confidante, you’re going to find a very different, much more high-end luxury lifestyle experience.
The Rebirth of 4041 Collins Avenue
The building itself has a wild history. It originally opened in 1940 as the Lord Tarleton Hotel. At the time, it was the tallest skyscraper in Miami Beach. In 1955, it became the Crown Hotel. Decades later, it lived a life as an apartment complex before Geolo Capital bought it in 2012, turning it into the Thompson Miami Beach.
Hyatt stepped in during 2016, bought it for roughly $229 million, and rebranded it as The Confidante.
But things changed again in 2022. Sunstone Hotel Investors bought the property from Hyatt for $232 million with a specific plan: kill The Confidante and bring the first Andaz to Florida. This wasn't just a new coat of paint. They shut the whole place down in March 2024 to gut the public spaces and rethink the entire guest experience.
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What’s actually different now?
Honestly, almost everything. The Confidante was known for its "shabby chic" retro charm—think floral patterns and 1950s kitsch. The new Andaz Miami Beach, designed by the EoA Group, swapped that out for what they call "undulating curves" and a sophisticated palette of aqua, mint, and sage.
The biggest shock for returning guests? The lobby.
There are no check-in desks. Seriously. When you walk in, you aren't standing in a line behind a computer screen. A "host" greets you, sits you down, and hands you a cocktail while they handle your check-in on a tablet. It’s meant to feel like arriving at a wealthy friend’s villa rather than a massive Hyatt hotel.
The José Andrés Takeover
If you stayed at The Confidante, you might remember the backyard bungalows or the rotating restaurant concepts. That has been totally replaced. The hotel partnered with the José Andrés Group to handle all the food and beverage.
- Aguasal: This is the main spot now. It’s a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant that leans heavily into coastal Spanish flavors. Think of it as a mix of Mallorca and Miami.
- Bar Centro: During the day, it’s a beachy lounge. At night, it turns into a high-end cocktail bar focused on Spanish tapas.
- The Bazaar by José Andrés: This is the big one. It’s a legendary name in the culinary world, and it’s officially returning to the property in 2026.
The pool area also got a tech upgrade. One of the pools now features a hydraulic floor system. They can literally raise the floor of the pool to create a solid surface for fashion shows, weddings, or concerts. It’s a clever way to use space on a crowded Mid-Beach lot.
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Is it still worth the stay?
It depends on what you liked about the old Hyatt. The Confidante was often a "deal" in the World of Hyatt ecosystem. You could frequently find rooms for 15,000 to 20,000 points.
Now? You’re looking at a Category 7 or 8 level of luxury. Cash rates for the Andaz Miami Beach are regularly hitting between $500 and $800 a night during peak season. It has moved from a trendy boutique-style hotel to a full-blown luxury resort.
Room Renovations and Suites
The room count actually dropped slightly during the renovation. They converted some smaller rooms into larger suites to cater to a different crowd.
- 287 total guestrooms (down from about 339).
- 64 suites, many with floor-to-ceiling ocean views.
- Expanded balconies that actually feel usable now.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Transition
A lot of travelers think The Confidante was just "renovated." That’s an understatement. Hyatt moved the property from their "Unbound Collection"—which is a loose group of independent, quirky hotels—to their "Boundless Collection" under the Andaz brand.
Andaz has a very specific "unscripted" service model. At The Confidante, there was a lot of staff in uniforms and traditional hotel roles. At the new property, the staff is more fluid. They want the service to feel invisible but omnipresent.
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One thing that has stayed? The location. You are still right on the Miami Beach Boardwalk, tucked away in Mid-Beach. This area is much quieter than the chaos of South Beach, which is why people loved it in the first place. You’re about a 5-minute Uber from the Miami Beach Convention Center and the Lincoln Road Mall, but you don't have the noise of Ocean Drive outside your window.
Practical Next Steps for Your Trip
If you’re planning a visit or trying to rebook your old favorite, here is the current reality:
- Check Availability: Search for "Andaz Miami Beach" on the Hyatt website. The name "The Confidante" will likely just redirect you or show as "no longer available."
- Check Your Points: If you have World of Hyatt points, be prepared for a higher redemption rate. What used to be a bargain is now a premium luxury spend.
- Dining Reservations: Even if you aren't staying there, Bar Centro is worth a visit for the José Andrés cocktail program. Reservations for the main restaurant, Aguasal, are highly recommended on weekends.
- Wellness: The new Ondara Spa is located on the fourth-floor terrace. It uses Obagi products and has a great relaxation lounge that overlooks the Atlantic. It’s a huge step up from the small rooftop spa setup they had previously.
The era of the pink umbrellas is over. The new era of 4041 Collins is much sleeker, much more expensive, and far more focused on high-design luxury than retro nostalgia.
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