Beachfront vacations just got a little groovier with the opening of Mello on the Beach. A remodel of a former hotel, it’s located on Holmes Beach on Anna Maria Island, and it caught our attention with its cheeky room names and punchy decor.

“We wanted to complement the colors of the island,” says interior designer Jennifer Rosenthal, of Miami-based Studio J & Co. “The concept was to reimagine Palm Springs here on Anna Maria. Rooms have durable finishes but also feel residential.”

Vacationers will see teals, corals, mint greens and yellows at play throughout the rooms and by the outdoor boomerang pool, plus geometric patterns and textures in updated yet classic retro notes.

Want to get the look in your own home? Rosenthal says to mix various materials and layer them. 

"White oak, white terrazzo, geometric concrete tile, wooden pulls and textured furniture pieces add dimension and variety," she says. "Baskets and throw pillows add more of that residential feeling." 

Rosenthal also suggests embracing color and pattern. For example, use fun-colored glassware—it doesn’t have to match. "Here at Mello, we used tie-dye napkins on the dining tables for a casual look that's still an upgrade from paper napkins," she says. "Mixing patterns and graphics ushers in that warm, lived-in look." 

Also, remember the old rule to never mix gold and silver? Ditch it. 

"Mix brass and polished chrome fixtures at will," Rosenthal says. 

The geometric patterns throughout Mello's rooms were printed on custom-made vinyl that sticks to the walls for easy application. As far as where to place them, choose a single wall behind a bed, for example, for maximum impact.

Another idea to steal: open-concept closets. "Hanging bars to let guests create their own nook, with space for their personal touch," Rosenthal says.

Rooms at Mello on the Beach have names like "Hip Nautic," "Gone Coastal" and "Slow M’Ocean" that lay out the vibe even before guests see them. Rooms even have rotary phones for a true throwback feel (but they also have WiFi, too). 

Located right on Holmes Beach, some units also have ocean views and a private outdoor shower. 

Mello has a decades-old history on the island. It was built in 1973 and was first the Aquarius Beach Resort and later, Anna Maria Island Resort—a rather dated and nondescript, butter-yellow spot.

The current ownership group, Tampa-based AMI 105 39th LLC,  purchased the almost half-acre, 11-room hotel in 2015 for $2.55 million and eventually embarked on the roughly two-year process of completely redoing of the building. Mainsail Lodging & Development is managing the property. The style reminds us of another recent Anna Maria remodel we wrote about called Joie Inn, which was featured on NBC's Today show.

Lindsay Guyer, director of operations for Tampa-based Dahl Investments, which owns AMI 105 39th LLC, says this is the company's first time opening a hotel in the area. Some of its local investors grew up visiting Anna Maria and fell in love with the sunsets and laid-back ambiance. "There's a personal tie-in," she says.

 “When we realized it needed major structural improvements, we shifted gears and took it down to the studs. [We thought], 'Let's not just spruce it up let’s create a brand,'" Guyer adds. 

As opposed to many of the area's short-term vacation stays, which require a seven-day minimum, Mello offers one-night stay options thanks to its unique zoning. Furry friends are welcome, too.

Mello on the Beach is located at 105 39th Street, Holmes Beach. To book, call (833) 219-8623 or email [email protected]. No time for a break? Follow on Instagram for more pics and updates.