Shrinking violets need not apply

Gianni Versace's Miami mansion has been thoughtfully and extravagantly restored as an exclusive hotel.

The Villa by Barton G

WHILE Queensland's Gold Coast boasts the world's only Versace hotel (until the Dubai one finally opens), Miami Beach in Florida is home to The Villa by Barton G.

The Villa is a small hotel of just 10 suites located in Gianni Versace’s former mansion on Ocean Drive at South Beach. The building, constructed for Standard Oil heir Alden Freeman and completed in 1930, is one of the most photographed buildings in Miami. The fact that the Italianate mansion has become a tourist attraction is a bit of a problem when it comes to turning it into a luxury hotel (rooms start at $US1900 per night). Getting in and out is an ordeal, with security, locked gates and a permanent rope across the stairs. This despite the identity card issued to guests at check in. Once inside, however, it’s an oasis of calm.

The mansion was acquired in 2009 by events impresario Barton G Weiss, who set about restoring it to the former glory of its Versace days. It might have been tempting to remove the Versace touches but the building has been thoughtfully restored. Although it isn’t marketed as a Versace hotel, the brand’s home accessories and fabrics are unmistakeable.

Gianni Versace’s former bedroom has been transformed into the 109sqm Villa Suite, with a king-sized bed covered in eye-catching orange and turquoise linen. The hundreds of mosaics around the villa were installed by him, including the swimming pool made with tens of thousands of mosaic tiles, some in 24ct gold.

When WISH checked in, we were shown to a room in the extension to the original villa, which Versace built for his guests. While the rooms aren’t labelled as such, we were told by our butler that our room was Elton John’s when he came to stay. Madonna’s room was just across the hall.

If you want to feel like a star when you stay, you won’t have to ask for a “celebrity” room – you’ll be papped by tourists every time you enter and exit the hotel.

The Villa
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