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[Rare Video] Inside Casa Casuarina - Peter Loftin’s Private Hotel

[Rare Video] Inside Casa Casuarina - Peter Loftin’s Private Hotel

August 25, 2008 By Gus in | 8 Comments

ABOVE: A video tour of Casa Casuarina aka the Versace Mansion. Running time: 44-minutes. Download video to iPod or PSP.

Are you curious about the Versace murder? Will you be visiting Miami soon? This might be your only chance to see the inside of the Versace Mansion.

Through September, Peter Loftin is offering guided tours of his private hotel, Casa Casuarina. The hotel is best known for being the home of, Gianni Versace, who was murdered on the sidewalk outside the estate. The tour cost $50 and last about 45 minutes. From the flyer:

“For the first time ever, Casa Casuarina, the legendary mansion on Miami Beach is opening its doors to the public for exclusive tours. The exquisitely preserved 1930s mansion showcases unparalleled architecture and design details, intricate stone and marble work detailed renaissance-style mosaics and frescoes designed by creative artists such as Alden Freeman and Fashion Designer, Gianni Versace.”

If $50 is too expensive, you can still see what the inside of the house looks like. I had the pleasure of taking the first public tour. What’s even cooler…I got to video the entire thing!

10 things you will learn in this rare video:

There is a secret time capsule hidden on the estate.
Versace borrowed heavily from Roman and Greek designs.
Many of the mosaic floors in the house were designed to resemble the silk scarves from the Versace collection.
How many people can fit inside the infamous group shower room.
What a $2,000 a night hotel room looks like.
The hotel’s rock-bottom off season rates.
Casa Casuarina’s budget hotel rooms may be quieter than their more expensive suites.
Barton G. is no longer the official caterer at Casa Casuarina.
Allegra Versace’s favorite wild animal.
How quickly the weather can change in Miami.

Feel free to fast forward the clip. I realize 44-minutes is a long video, but thought some of you might enjoy seeing the entire tour, unedited.

Thanks to Elisa Brinkworth from Casa Casuarina for showing us around.

Tour information

All tours must be booked in advance by reservation.

Tours are offered daily at 9am, 11am and 2pm.

Tickets are $50 per person.

Add $25 for breakfast. Add $35 for lunch.

Video and photographs are allowed on the tour.

Casa Casuarina is located at 1116 Ocean Drive in Miami Beach, Florida. Their phone number is (305) 672-6604.

UPDATE: Watch the 5 part video at YouTube.

Related Categories: Video, 101 Attractions

Gus Moore heads up Miami Beach 411 as site administrator. You can reach him at 1-305-754-2206.

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8 Comments on

"[Rare Video] Inside Casa Casuarina - Peter Loftin’s Private Hotel"

Doug says:

Great tour, Gus! It’s nice to finally be able to see what’s inside that creepy old mansion! I think I need a Scooby snack.

Posted on 08/25/2008 at 9:20 AM

Mirna says:

You just saved me $50.00. I felt like I was there, Great Video! I didn’t have to fast forward any part.

Posted on 08/26/2008 at 12:50 PM

lady fisher says:

we are a pary of 4 and will be staying in south beech from 26thapril to 1st may 2009 and would like to tour an lunch at casa causarina when would be a good tme for us FROM LADY FISHER

Posted on 09/22/2008 at 7:16 AM

lady fisher says:

will you advise 4 ladies where to eat near the alex ander hotel not too expensive but good eating places we will be in south beech april 09

Posted on 09/22/2008 at 7:52 AM

Gus says:

Hi, lady fisher, sorry for missing your comment. Hope you found a good place to eat.

For restaurants near Casa Casuarina, I like News Cafe - it’s reasonably priced and they have a big menu.

Posted on 12/02/2008 at 9:16 AM

lauren says:

Any of the $1200 rooms have a view across the street to the ocean?
or any room?
Thank You

Posted on 08/12/2009 at 9:43 PM

Cristy Karama-Jupiter-Fl says:

I had the privilege to be there as a special guest.
A wonderful friend booked a room for the noightwith his wonderful wife.He had a limousine pick my friends,my husband and I 2 hours away and off we went to this secret location.
I can’t discribe the emotions when I got off the limo and saw the versace mansion. How can you express the emotions in celebrating his and my birthday there among others wonderful friends, impossible.It was the nicest gestureand most beautiful someone ever done for me. It was the most beautiful and elegant room I have ever been we also had appetizers in the morrocan room by the pool and the attached bathroom is definitely to die for.Yes it is die and go to haven to be in that mansion.I am very sorry to hear that it is presently closet.Thank you for this video I brought wonderful memories.

Posted on 01/31/2010 at 3:26 PM

andro sash says:

I canâ€™t describe the emotions when I got off the limo and saw the Versace manor. It was the most gorgeous and elegant room I have ever been we also had appetizers in the Moroccan room by the pool and the attached bathroom is absolutely to die for. And I like News Cafe - itâ€™s convincingly priced and they have a big list of options. Thanks!

Posted on 03/22/2011 at 8:49 AM

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