La Dolce Vita

Thanks to the success of the FX series “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story,” there’s been renewed interest in the famed Italian fashion designer.

Fortunately for those who want additional insight into the life and times of Versace, they can vacation in his home, stay in his bedroom – and even sleep in his bed – at The Villa Casa Casuarina.

Because the famed Versace Mansion, on the legendary Ocean Drive in South Beach, transformed from a private club to an exclusive hotel in 2014. 

The 1930 mansion was originally built by Alden Freeman, heir to the Standard Oil fortune, and interior designed by architect Addison Mizner. Versace bought it in 1992 and spent three years renovating it. In 1997, he was shot and killed on its front steps.

Now under the management of Victor Hotels Group, The Villa Casa Casuarina offers 10 rooms and suites with over-the-top décor just as Versace himself designed it. 

While the restaurant Gianni’s is open to the public – serving fine Italian and Mediterranean fare with seating in the courtyard, in the elaborate dining room or overlooking the pool – only hotel guests have the run of the three-story mansion. There are surprises around every turn;  ascending a back staircase reveals a secluded niche with bench seating, a tile mosaic and stained-glass windows. While luxuriating in possibly the most beautiful pool in the world, containing 24-karat gold and more than 1 million Italian mosaic tiles, guests enjoy complimentary wine, Perrier and chilled fruit.

They can also explore the rooftop deck, with views of the ocean and showers Versace installed so guests could cool off in the Miami heat, as well as the observatory, with cushioned seating and gilded stars set against a sky-blue dome. Stand exactly in the middle, and speak; thanks to the perfect acoustics of the room, you’ll experience a wild auditory sensation that sends chills up your spine.

Indeed, chills are common at The Villa, thanks to the intimate, personal nature of the space. Not to imply anything negative about the service, which is first rate, but you almost feel like a stranger in someone else’s home.

That sensation is felt the strongest in The Villa Suite, which was Versace’s bedroom. It reflects the vibrant, larger-than-life nature of his fashions via copious woodwork, frescoes on the walls and ceilings, and detailed paneling depicting Greek mythology. Red stained-glass windows cast a florid glow on the huge custom bed with its gilded headboard, boldly patterned cover and mountain of pillows (several of which boast Versace’s logo, the Medusa head).

Past the bathroom with its spacious double shower is the custom walk-in closet, made entirely of blond wood, which takes up about as much room as the bedroom itself. The doors to each compartment blend into the walls; you have to pull and prod to discover where and how they open.

Finally, a small area with a table for two leads through stained-glass French doors to a Romeo and Juliet balcony in the center of the mansion, overlooking Ocean Drive, the beach and the water beyond.

Hotel guests or members of the public seeking a different kind of dining experience at The Villa can visit Sushi by Bou, an omakase dinner in Gianni’s Suite, a former guest bedroom.

Patrons sip sake and cocktails before heading to a small bar to watch the chef prepare each piece of sushi by hand. The juxtaposition of the Japanese cuisine with the Italianate aesthetic of the suite – and ornate Versace dishes – is a treat guests won’t forget. 

The Villa is located adjacent to its sister property, Hotel Victor, opposite Lummus Park. The stylish yet affordable venue is popular among those looking to participate in the party-like atmosphere of Ocean Drive. Other Victor Hotels properties include The Breakwater on Ocean Drive, Hotel Casa Victoria Orchid on Española Way and Hotel Ocean on Ocean Drive.

On Hotel Victor’s ground floor is Sugar Factory American Brasserie, where the motto is clearly: More is more. Customers sit at sidewalk tables sipping fishbowl cocktails as big as their heads. Although it also serves lunch and dinner, we recommend trying the restaurant for breakfast to enjoy coffee drinks piled high with whipped cream as well as creative waffles, pancakes, French toast and crepes with any manner of sweet toppings.

Indeed, it’s an Ocean Drive much different than the one Gianni Versace knew. But, as a fan of la dolce vita, we imagine the man would have approved.

The Villa Casa Casuarina is located at 1116 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach. For more information, call 786-485-2200 or visit vmmiamibeach.com.