The Surf Club: Lost World

Now you have the chance to stay at a surf lodge that hosted Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor and Winston Churchill. We tell you how.

The private club born in 1930 presents itself again as a spectacular private property, revisited by Richard Meier. The idea of ​the Surf Club was precisely born on the yacht of Harvey Firestone, in the late 1920s. Exploring the shores of Miami Beach, Firestone and some friends, including local figures Carl Fisher and Irving Collins, fell in love with a superb land, overlooking the ocean.

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The architect Russell T. Pancoast, master of the Art Deco of the time, was called to give life to the project. But the private club that opened its doors during Prohibition shut soon after.

Inaugurated on December 31, 1930, the place was the setting for extraordinary parties, attracting exceptional personalities such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Elizabeth Taylor and Winston Churchill, who used to paint in the beach shed. So many anecdotes and incredible events have helped make this spot one of the glamorous hotspots. The clubhouse opens a dialogue between the old and the contemporary.

Today, with a rich past, the Surf Club combines the glory of the Roaring Twenties with the opportunities of tomorrow, inspired by legendary clientele. Five years of renovation went in before it reopened the doors recently. Stretched over several hundred metres of white sand, the ambitious project was signed by the American architect Richard Meier.

The interiors have a feeling of absolute pleasure that wins the visitor. Mastered by the designer Joseph Dirand, the spaces reflect the oceanic environment of the hotel in a subtle way. The light is brilliantly exploited through the large windows of the hotel’s 77 rooms and suites, showcasing their refined functional furniture. This place is born out of the collaboration between Sirenuse Hotel Positano and the Four Seasons group. The legendary Peacock Alley, the centrepiece of the Club, testifies to the Art Deco style and the glamorous atmosphere of the jazz years. Another space with a timeless charm is the spa.

Food lovers will be able to revel in an exclusive experience at the Sirenuse restaurant, where the Italian chef Antonio Mermolia sublimates the essential gastronomy of the Amalfi Coast in the grandiose setting of the vast ballroom of yesteryear. With a condensed history and culture, the Surf Club has surrounded itself with the best actors to continue writing its destiny out of the ordinary. The latest talent on the property is Thomas Keller, the three Michelin-starred American chef. He was invited to celebrate the Rat Pack years in its new establishment: The Surf Club Restaurant, where the classics of American cuisine are deliciously honoured.

The club’s style and vibe is inherited from the 1930s and 1940s beach, making it a must-visit for anyone wishing to experience an exceptional stay by the ocean.

From the May 2019 issue of L’Officiel India.