Five star hotel inspired by Miami Beach opens in Bournemouth after undergoing £25m refurbishment

After a £27million refurbishment, a brand new five-star resort-style hotel which mirrors that of Miami’s South Beach has opened in Bournemouth this week.

The Nici, perched on Bournemouth’s West Cliff, used to be The Savoy Hotel, but is once again opening its doors to guests as a newly-decorated hotel with a seaside-escape feel, complete with a 13-seat cinema room, event spaces and private poolside cabanas.

The hotel is inspired by Miami, and guests will have an experience that would make them feel as though they’re 4,356 miles away enjoying the sights of South Beach.

After a £27million refurbishment, brand new five-star resort-style hotel The Nici, which mirrors that of Miami’s South Beach has opened in Bournemouth this week (pictured)

Pictured from left to right, operations manager Thomas Luke-Taylor, managing director Eldon James and general manager Lewis Spendlove are pictured at the Hotel’s bar 

The Nici, perched on Bournemouth’s West Cliff, is open a newly-decorated hotel with a seaside-escape feel, complete with a 13-seat cinema room, event spaces and private poolside cabanas (pictured)

The Nici used to be The Savoy Hotel, but is once again opening its doors to guests as a resort-style hotel in the heart of the seaside town

The hotel is inspired by Miami, and guests will have an experience that would make them feel as though they’re 4,356 miles away enjoying the sights of South Beach (pictured is one of the seaside bedrooms, with a raised floor for guests to look out at the English Channel)

It holds 73 guest bedrooms and ten garden suites which have outdoor hot tubs, with some rooms also benefitting from a sea view

The hotel has completed its first refurbishment phase, which holds 73 bedrooms including ten luxury garden suites with outdoor hot tubs, the South Beach Bar & Restaurant which has an extended outdoor terrace, refreshed meeting and event spaces and revived garden and pool, with private poolside cabanas. Some of the rooms benefit from a sea view.

The second phase of the development, which starts in September and will be ready by next year, includes the introduction of a new 30m central outdoor pool and garden restaurant, followed by a first-class spa and fitness centre, as well as a rooftop bar and restaurant.

The rooftop bar and restaurant will serve a breakfast buffet in the morning and a seasonal dinner menu in the evenings. 

Guests are welcome to join their outdoor cinema screenings, outdoor Sunday yoga, and for those enjoying the sunshine on the terrace, live entertainment is provided.

Guests are welcome to join their outdoor cinema screenings, outdoor Sunday yoga, and for those enjoying the sunshine on the terrace (pictured), live entertainment is provided

Pictured is The Nici’s reception, which immediately provides guests with a Miami feel with the beige palm trees adorning the walls

There is a 30-metre outdoor pool, garden restaurant, spa, fitness centre, a rooftop bar and a restaurant (pictured), which serves a breakfast buffet in the morning and a seasonal dinner menu in the evenings

And for families, The Nici offers a children’s game room and outdoor activities centre which offers beach gear and games including surfboards, should they want to head to Bournemouth Beach which is 15 minutes away by car. 

While this makes it an appeal hotel for families, there are also separate areas where adults can relax and drink poolside cocktails. 

In terms of location, Bournemouth Pier is only two miles away and Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre is a 14-minute walk away. 

Guests will pay around £300 per night for a standard double room, and between £420 and £500 for a suite with a sea view.

With its clifftop location, the rooms offer beautiful sea views of Dorset’s coastline including scenes of the Isle of Purbeck. 

Pictured is a CGI image of the 30-metre pool at The Nici hotel in Bournemouth, which is not going to be open until the second development phase, starting in September and will be ready by next year. Formerly the Savoy hotel, the landmark building was one of three Dorset hotels which ceased trading after its owners went into administration in May 2020

In terms of location, Bournemouth Pier is only two miles away and Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre is a 14-minute walk away. Pictured is a lounge area with a piano

With its clifftop location, the rooms offer beautiful sea views of Dorset’s coastline including scenes of the Isle of Purbeck

While the children’s games room and activities centre makes it an appeal hotel for families, there are also separate areas where adults can relax and drink poolside cocktails (pictured)

The former Savoy site has been transformed and the Nici and officially opened on Thursday for bookings. 

Ahead of its opening on Thursday 9 June, Nicolas Roach, Chairman of property investment firm creating the Nici, Nicholas James Group, told of his hopes to bring Miami’s South Beach lifestyle to Dorset.

He said: ‘We are delighted to be nearing completion of the first phase of our extensive refurbishment of our brand new 5 star hotel concept, to this vibrant seaside down – the response and support so far has been incredible, with a lot of interest both locally and further afield.

The former Savoy site has been transformed and the Nici and officially opened on Thursday 9 June for bookings. A pool with poolside cabanas is pictured

Guests will pay around £300 per night for a standard double room, and between £420 and £500 for a suite with a sea view (pictured is the boardroom complete with surfboards on the wall)

Formerly the Savoy hotel, the landmark building on West Cliff was one of three Dorset hotels which ceased trading after the Specialist Leisure Group went into administration in May 2020. Pictured, the hotel’s restaurant

‘Our aim is to provide Bournemouth with the destination hotel it deserves, transforming the town’s accommodation landscape and celebrating this award-winning coastline.’

Speaking to the Bournemouth Echo, Anthony Rudolph, the creative director of the Nicholas James Group, said the hotel has been ‘a labour of love’.

He said: ‘This hotel had an instant Miami feel to it, so that was a starting point for this property is that we wanted to take a South Beach Miami influence but with other elements globally to create what feels like a non-english resort that is suitable for the UK.

‘This week The Nici is launching, it’s very exciting, it’s been a labour of love and it’s a difficult time to build at the moment, so we’re really pleased with what we’ve managed to produce with all these challenges and following two years of lockdown.’

Inside, the rooms are described as light, bright, and airy with high ceilings, large windows, and mid-century modern furniture. Incorporating the Miami beach vibes, the hotel is also decked out in furnishings with with forest green and orange accent colours

And for families, The Nici offers a children’s game room and outdoor activities centre which offers beach gear and games including surfboards, should they want to head to Bournemouth Beach which is 15 minutes away by car. Pictured is the restaurant

Inside, the rooms are described as light, bright, and airy with high ceilings, large windows, and mid-century modern furniture.

Incorporating the Miami beach vibes, the hotel is also decked out in furnishings with with forest green and orange accent colours. 

Formerly the Savoy hotel, the landmark building on West Cliff was one of three Dorset hotels which ceased trading after the Specialist Leisure Group went into administration in May 2020.