So, here’s the thing about the lounge at The Confidante. If you’ve been scrolling through old travel blogs or looking at grainy Instagram photos from 2019, you’re probably looking for a vibe that literally doesn't exist anymore.
Things changed.
The Confidante Miami Beach, that mid-century modern jewel on 40th and Collins, isn't even The Confidante right now. It’s undergoing a massive identity shift. Hyatt, the owners, decided to pivot the property into the Andaz Miami Beach. This isn't just a fresh coat of paint. We’re talking about a total structural and conceptual overhaul. If you were planning to grab a cocktail in that specific, retro-glam lounge area you saw in a 2022 review, you need to hit the brakes for a second.
The Identity Crisis of Mid-Beach Lounges
Miami Beach has a habit of eating its young.
The Confidante was always the "cool sibling" of the more buttoned-up hotels in Mid-Beach. It had this specific 1950s flair that felt authentic because, well, the building is from the 40s and 50s. The lounge area, often associated with the Crown Room or the outdoor backyard space, was where you went when you were tired of the chest-thumping EDM of South Beach. It was plush. It was colorful. It felt like a Slim Aarons photograph came to life.
But hospitality is a brutal business.
The lounge at The Confidante was iconic for its eclectic decor—think mismatched floral prints, velvet sofas, and heavy crystal glassware. It served a dual purpose: a quiet workspace for the "work from hotel" crowd during the day, and a low-light, high-style den for locals at night. Most people don't realize that the lounge wasn't just one room. It was a fluid transition between the indoor lobby bar and the sprawling "Backyard" area where the pools sat.
Why the "Vibe" Shift Happened
People keep asking why they’d change something that worked. Honestly? Market saturation. Mid-Beach became the new frontline for luxury. When the Edition and the Faena moved in down the street, the "fun and quirky" vibe of The Confidante started to feel a little bit dated to the corporate suits at Hyatt.
They wanted something "elevated."
The transition to Andaz means the lounge is being reimagined by the architecture firm Rockwell Group. If you know anything about David Rockwell, you know he doesn't do "quirky." He does "theatrical luxury." The new lounge space is expected to be more integrated with the ocean views, moving away from that enclosed, dark-wood lounge feel of the past decade.
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What the Lounge Experience Used to Be (And Why It Mattered)
Let's talk about the Crown Room for a minute. That was the heart of the lounge at The Confidante.
It was tucked away. You had to know it was there.
The cocktail program was legitimate. We aren't talking about sugary mojitos in plastic cups. They were doing serious mixology with small-batch bitters and hand-carved ice. It was one of the few places in Miami Beach where you could actually hear the person sitting across from you. That’s a rare commodity in a city that treats decibel levels like a competition.
The lounge also leaned heavily into the "House of Vibe" residency. Local DJs didn't play house music; they played funk, soul, and rare grooves. It felt like a house party in a very wealthy friend’s living room.
- The Lighting: Always amber. Always low.
- The Seating: You didn't sit on the furniture; you sank into it.
- The Crowd: A mix of Art Basel hangers-on, locals from the nearby condos, and European tourists who knew better than to stay at a mega-resort.
The Reality of the Current Renovation
If you walk up to 4041 Collins Avenue right now, you’re going to see construction crews.
The hotel officially closed its doors as The Confidante to facilitate the $60 million-plus renovation. This is a big deal. They aren't just swapping the rugs. They are moving the entire lobby experience.
The new lounge at the Andaz (the evolution of the lounge at The Confidante) is reportedly moving to the second floor. Why? Because the ground floor didn't have a clear view of the Atlantic. In the old layout, the lounge was gorgeous but introverted. The new vision is all about "the reveal." You’ll walk in, and instead of a dark bar, you’ll be hit with a massive expanse of blue.
Jose Andres is Entering the Chat
Here is a detail most people are missing: the lounge experience isn't just about the chairs anymore. It's about the food.
The Hyatt/Andaz transition includes a partnership with Jose Andres Group. This changes the DNA of the lounge entirely. When a world-renowned chef takes over the culinary direction, the lounge stops being a place to just "grab a drink" and becomes a destination for tapas and high-end Spanish-inspired small plates.
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Expect the beverage program to pivot toward gin-tonics (the Spanish way, with lots of botanicals) and dry sherries.
Common Misconceptions About the Location
I see this a lot on travel forums: people confuse The Confidante lounge with the Thompson lounge.
Technically, they are the same history. The hotel was a Thompson before it was The Confidante. So if you’re looking for "The Thompson Lounge Miami," you’re actually looking for the same footprint. But that era is dead and buried.
Another mistake? Thinking the lounge is part of a public beach club. It’s not. It has always been an interior-facing sanctuary. Even when the "Backyard" was open, the lounge remained the sophisticated refuge for adults who wanted to escape the pool splash zones.
The Logistics: Can You Even Go There Right Now?
Short answer: No.
Longer answer: You have to wait for the grand reopening as Andaz Miami Beach. The timeline has shifted a few times, which is typical for Miami construction (hurricanes and permits, you know how it is). Currently, the target is 2025-2026 for a full reveal.
If you’re looking for that specific "Confidante lounge" feeling in the meantime, you’re kind of out of luck in that exact building. However, the spirit of that lounge—that mid-century, non-stuffy luxury—has migrated to places like The Freehand’s 27 Restaurant or the bar at the Cadillac Hotel.
Is the New Version Going to Be Better?
"Better" is a loaded word.
If you loved the slightly worn-in, bohemian-chic vibe of the original lounge at The Confidante, you might find the new Andaz lounge a bit too "polished." Andaz is a brand that targets the upper-middle-class creative professional. It’s going to be sleek. It’s going to have a lot of floor-to-ceiling glass. It’s going to be expensive.
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But, it will also be more functional. The old lounge had some "dead zones" where service was spotty because of the weird layout of the historic building. The new design is supposed to fix the flow.
- Direct Beach Access: The lounge will feel more connected to the sand.
- Tech Integration: Expect more power outlets and better Wi-Fi (the old lounge was a bit of a Faraday cage in some corners).
- The Art: The Confidante was famous for its rotating art. The Andaz has promised to keep that "local art" focus, but expect more digital installations and fewer physical paintings on the walls.
Practical Steps for Your Visit
Since the lounge is in a state of flux, you shouldn't just show up expecting a drink.
Verify the Opening Status
Don't trust Google Maps. It often lists hotels as "Open" when the lobby is a construction site. Check the official World of Hyatt site for the Andaz Miami Beach transition updates.
Book for the "New" Experience
If you want to be among the first in the new lounge, you need to be on the mailing list for the Andaz opening. These "first looks" are usually reserved for high-tier Hyatt guests or local influencers.
Adjust Your Expectations
The retro-kitsch is gone. If you want that, head to the Vagabond Hotel in the MiMo district. The lounge at this location is moving toward "Tropical Modernism." Think less 1955 and more 2026.
Check the Chef’s Schedule
Since Jose Andres is involved, the lounge will likely host "pop-up" tasting events. These are usually ticketed and happen in the lounge area rather than the main dining room.
Parking is Still a Nightmare
Regardless of whether it's The Confidante or the Andaz, the lounge has zero street parking. You will pay for valet. It’s Miami. Budget an extra $40 just for the privilege of leaving your car for two hours.
The lounge at The Confidante was a specific moment in Miami's history. It represented the city’s move away from the neon-soaked cliches of the 90s and into something more curated and thoughtful. While that specific iteration is closing its doors, the physical space remains one of the best locations on the island. The evolution into the Andaz lounge is just the next layer of the city's skin.
Keep an eye on the 40th Street corridor. It’s changing fast, and the lounge is the centerpiece of that transformation.
Actionable Next Steps:
Check the Hyatt development portal for the specific reopening date of the 4041 Collins Avenue property. If you are looking for a lounge with a similar aesthetic today, visit the lobby bar at the Faena (for the drama) or the 27 Restaurant (for the bohemian spirit). Sign up for the Jose Andres Group newsletter to get the first notification of when the beverage and lounge program begins its soft launch phase.