Langford Hotel Miami – Grand Opening hosted by Pubbelly’s PB Station

When the Honorable Mayor Tomás Pedro Regalado cut the ceremonial ribbon at The Langford Hotel Miami, I was privileged to witness the Grand Opening of the elegant, 126-roomed, boutique hotel under the management of the award-winning Trust Hospitality. Most recently housing the Miami National Bank, The Langford Hotel is an historical building with a majestic Beaux Art façade and marble walls that have been meticulously restored to its former grandeur, with modern retro furniture and fixtures integrated by the design build firm, Bloom Miami.

The boutique hotel’s location in the heart of Downtown Miami is forward-thinking strategy by the hotel’s owner, Daniel Peña, who spoke about the development of downtown as a destination for other new hotels. Later, his General Manager, Oscar Suarez, would take me on a tour after I interviewed him on The Langford Hotel’s unique services and amenities to be enjoyed by the hotel’s guests.

After the ceremony, I joined other invited guests welcomed by Pubbelly Boys Restaurant Group co-owner, Andreas Schreiner, to a breakfast celebration provided by the hotel’s very own PB Station, and helmed by Executive Chef Guillermo Concha.

The buffet bar offered Pubbelly’s Pastry Chef Maria Orantes’ famous House Baked Pastries, such as Chocolate Croissants, Blueberry Strudel Muffins, and Cookies & Cream Macarons.

The divine French Toast was the highlight of the breakfast. After the slices of French Bread were soaked in beaten Eggs, and then fried, they were glazed with spiced Maple Syrup and crowned with fresh Knause Berry Farm’s Strawberries. The warm, sugary slices were also lightly garnished with a duo of sweet, tangy, and creamy toppings of Lemon Curd and Vanilla Greek Yogurt.

PB Station will open to the public as of April 4, under Executive Chef Guillermo Concha, the former the chef de cuisine of my favorite ‘Pubbelly Boys’ concept, PB Steak (2012). Chef Concha will take diners to his Argentinean roots, and prepare signature dishes that encompass his passion for fresh and ethically-grown ingredients as well as staying true to the Pubbelly Restaurant Group’s esteemed style.

Also, opening April 4, on the hotel’s rooftop, is the Pawn Broker Lounge with a stunning skyline view of Downtown Miami. Helmed by Bar Chef, Derek Stilmann, Pawn Broker’s will feature handcrafted cocktails and tapas-style bites. Stilmann’s bar will emphasize aromatic Artisanal Gins, such as my favorite, St. George, and a signature Gin Martini, the Dashi Brine.

After breakfast, I meet with The Langford Hotel Miami’s general manager, Oscar Suarez, who described the hotel’s concierge program operated by the hotel’s well-trained bellman staff.

Mr. Suarez, a native Miamian, came into hotel management after first having a career as a chef. After graduating from FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, the very personable Suarez first worked with Starwood managing large properties, such as opening the Westin Diplomat Resort (Hollywood, FL). Ultimately, he left to specifically managed boutique hotels with Trust Hospitality as he preferred to offer more personalized service to his hotel guests.

With The Langford Hotel, he envisions the Downtown area, with the establishment of the nearby Perez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) and Museum Park as well as the Olympia Theater at the Gusman Center, one block away, that it will become a cultural destination very much like New York City.

On that note, I posed questions about The Langford’s concierge services.

Q. Does The Langford have a Concierge Program?

GM Oscar Suarez:  “Yes, like any great hotel, however I wanted to change the service side a little bit. Why? Because, a typical hotel concierge is found seated at a detached desk. At The Langford Hotel, we’ve combined that position with bellman services.  Your Bellman is your concierge, but I call them The Local Expert.  He gets the door for you, handles your luggage and can recommend restaurants, get you tickets, and arrange transportation.”

Q. How long is the training for “The Local Expert” / Bellman?

GM Oscar Suarez:  “It is one month of training. It’s extensive. There’s role playing; we took them on a historical tour of Downtown, and other important Miami areas. We also had them confer with local, independent Concierges.”

Q: When a guest asks a Bellman for suggestions of what to do during their stay, what kind of activities will be recommended to them?

GM Oscar Suarez:  “Architectural tours; we are working with Dr. Paul George, Professor of History at Miami-Dade College, who is renowned for his private historical tours.  There are popular tours of Little Havana and South Beach as well.

In addition of our own dining establishments, PB Station and Pawn Broker, we have an extensive list of restaurants to recommend. We are also working with a transportation company to offer our guests limousine service. We have the connections to acquire tickets to Miami Heat games at the AmericanAirlines Arena, the PAMM Museum, or a show at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts – all nearby to The Langford”.

On the tour of the hotel, Oscar first brought me up the brass refurbished elevators to view the two-storied, 1335 square footed Presidential Suite. Entering on the top floor of the neutral toned suite, the white oak floored, open concept room housed a full kitchen and a living room with views of Downtown Miami. Downstairs, I found the roomy bedroom with and en suite bathroom.

All rooms have Platinum Serta Mattresses with Down Feather Pillows and 300 Thread Count Cotton Bedding, plus locally-sourced Mini Bar products, such as Tito’s Vodka. In Deluxe Queen rooms, a privacy glassed partition wall separates the full bathroom fitted with Rain Shower Head. Another unique ‘throwback’ furnishings in all rooms are Antique Traveling Trunks, Wardrobe Closets, and Valet Stands.

Currently, the best rate available at The Langford Hotel for a Deluxe Queen is $179. Additional, and contemporary, room amenities include complimentary Wi-Fi, 48” LED TV with Direct TV, Laptop-friendly In-Room Safe, daily complimentary Bottled Water and 24 Hour Front Deck, Security and Concierge.

The Langford Hotel Miami is located in Downtown Miami, at 121 SE 1st St, Miami, FL 33131. For reservations or more information, visit: www.langfordhotelmiami.com

PB Station Restaurant is located on the lobby level of The Langford Hotel Miami. For reservations or more information, visit: pbstation.com

Pawn Broker Rooftop and Lounge is located on the rooftop level of The Langford Hotel Miami. For reservations or more information, visit: pawnbrokermiami.com

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