The Diplomat Beach Resort

Emerging from an extensive transformation, The Diplomat Beach Resort is an oceanfront, experiential destination resort that brings iconic hospitality back. The reinvented resort pays homage to the hotel’s storied past as a social hub, with a fresh take on design and new amenities that include innovative culinary concepts.

As part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, the transformed Diplomat Beach Resort redefines comfort and style with re-imagined indoor and outdoor public spaces. Bringing the resort’s beachfront location to life, locals and travelers come together at the epicenter of Hollywood, Florida, to indulge in specialty services and amenities rooted in local inspiration with impeccable designs.

Our scope included interior design and architecture for the lobby and The Hotel Bar; Canteen, which is adjacent to the lobby; Diplomat Prime steakhouse; and Portico, a beer and wine garden. We were the architect-of-record for the Candy & Cones ice cream shop; the Michael Schulson restaurant, Monkitail; and the Geoffrey Zakarian restaurant, Point Royal.

Opening the Space for a Social Scene with a View
Upon entering the hotel before the renovation, guests were greeted with a retail-style escalator in the middle of the lobby. While the volume of the space was large, the view of the beachfront was limited. The owner was committed to creating a new sense of arrival that would take advantage of the property’s prime location. The goal was to completely transform the space into an active central-gathering spot for guests to enjoy – one that wins their hearts and generates revenue for the hotel.
The escalator was removed to provide a direct view of the natural beauty outside. The Hotel Bar, a new indoor/outdoor experience, was created within the existing structural frame to become a focal element for guests to see and be seen, and at the same time, not detract from the ocean views.

The challenge of transforming the volume of the space was overcome by creating a sense of “indoor-outdoor ambiguity.” This goal was realized by incorporating human-scale cabanas and lush tropical landscaping to create intimate moments, similar to those at an island retreat.

Wood-look porcelain tile flooring is reminiscent of the days when the boardwalk was an integral part of the beach experience. Teak woods and handmade, brightly colored rugs, along with textural fabrics, add to the island feel. All furnishings were carefully curated to emphasize the impression that the beach resort has evolved over time – while at the same time, bringing iconic hospitality back.