Ken Fulk brings his signature approach of color and fantasy to The Goodtime Hotel in Miami Beach.
“One of the best parts about this project was that we gave our in-house art department free reign to create a full suite of custom fabrics, murals, and textiles—from the bathrobes to the wet footprint rugs in the corridors to the Surrealist Ball fabric we designed for the draperies.”
– Ken Fulk
For interior designer Ken Fulk, too much is never enough. The more color, the more pattern, and the more spark of imagination, the better. And that rings especially true at The Goodtime Hotel in Miami Beach—a whimsical ode to the area’s art deco history and wanderlust vibes.
Ken Faulk
Part of an adaptive reuse and neighborhood revitalization project led by real estate development firm Dreamscape, the site is at once an exercise in escapism and an authentic expression of its tropical locale. “We were involved with this project from the very beginning of the development, when the intent was to transform this entire city block into a destination synonymous with good times,” says Fulk.
“The color palette and the materials came directly from a deep dive into the history of Miami’s art deco era and its circa-1980s resurgence. Once the dynamic duo of Pharrell and David Grutman came on board, that level of elevated design and whimsy only increased for more color, more pattern, more happiness, and joy.”
Guest rooms offer retro touches like pink rotary phones to call the front desk
A fluted facade and lushly appointed breezeway signal the entrance of the 226-room hotel, thanks to Morris Adjmi Architects and landscape architect Raymond Jungles. Inside lies a Wes Anderson-inspired fantastical menagerie of animal prints, botanical wallpapers, fringed accents, and furnishings rendered in mint green and bubblegum pink.
“One of the best parts about this project was that we gave our in-house art department free reign to create a full suite of custom fabrics, murals, and textiles—from the bathrobes to the wet footprint rugs in the corridors to the Surrealist Ball fabric we designed for the draperies,” Fulk says of the fabric that nods to Salvador Dalí and the legendary masquerade ball he hosted in California in 1941. “Even the elevators are lined in a custom crocodile pattern that is one of our all-time favorites.”
The Wes Anderson-inspired library lounge features a tufted pink velvet sofa trimmed with turquoise fringe
A stroll through the library lounge in The Goodtime Hotel reveals Miami-based designer Maggie Cruz’s Habanera console, which seamlessly blends the essence of Havana, Hollywood, and the art deco period. And Mario Lopez Torres’ animal-themed woven rattan light fixtures also make a playfully glam appearance.
The pool bar at Strawberry Moon, named for the first full moon of summer
“We often look to local designers and artisans to help ground a project with a sense of place and energy,” says Fulk. His celebration of local creatives in this project—and all of his work—speaks to a broader pursuit. Fulk founded the Saint Joseph’s Arts Foundation based on this mission, as well as creative incubators Saint Joseph’s Arts Society in San Francisco and Provincetown Arts Society in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
Twin pools separated by a pastel-striped runway at the hotel’s pool club, Strawberry Moon
But the real party at The Goodtime Hotel—both visually and physically—takes place at the hotel’s pool club Strawberry Moon, where twin pools separated by a pastel-striped runway are decked out with pink cabanas, green striped umbrellas, and oversized palm fronds. It’s The Beverly Hills Hotel meets “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” in Miami Beach—a pastel-colored, retro paradise where Fulk wants you to “feel good, be good to each other, and have a good time.”
Scalloped-edge cabanas exude Old Hollywood glam
“When Pharrell came on board as a partner, he helped solidify the name and the vibe,” Fulk recalls. “That element of kindness and goodness is part of his ethos, and we easily got on board with that.”
KEN FULK’S MIAMI MUST-SEES
The Goodtime Hotel is one stylish entry on a long list of reservation-worthy hot spots in Miami with Fulk’s signature imprint. Dining destinations Swan and Bar Bevy, Carbone, Contessa, Dirty French Steakhouse, ZZ’s Club, and Casadonna—located at the historic Miami Women’s Club building in Edgewater—are a few more. Aside from his own stylish projects, here are a few of Fulk’s favorite Miami destinations:
SUNNY STYLE
The Webster features an amazing curation of high fashion on the beach.
CALLE OCHO
Cafe La Trova is the best spot for Cuban food and fabulous live music.
RETAIL THERAPY
I love the public art and unmatched shopping in the Miami Design District.
ROAD TRIP
Rent a convertible and take a drive to the Keys.
CLASSIC CUISINE
Joe’s Stone Crab is always worth the wait.
