Miami, FL
Your Ultimate Guide To 2024 Miami Art Week’s Best Hotel Experiences
Vintage large letter postcard illustration, ‘Greetings from Miami and Miami Beach, Florida’, … [+]
Finding the perfect place to stay during Miami Art Week is a critical part of curating your perfect event itinerary. After all, nothing will ruin the vibe of a glamorous week faster than subpar accommodations—or worse, finding out every hotel in the city is sold out.
Of course, there’s always Airbnb, which is offering both places to stay and places to play in its partnership with Art Basel Miami this year. Amongst its play options are exclusive Experiences: behind-the-scenes tours of the Art Basel Miami fair with Bridget Finn, director of Art Basel Miami Beach and interactive dining events hosted by renowned culinary artists.
If you’re more the type to insist on daily housekeeping, 24-hour room service and spa treatments on demand, welcome to my world! Here, my recommendations now turn to ensuring you receive exactly the type of luxurious pampering a week of exhibition and party hopping during Miami Art Week will necessitate.
Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club: Where Art Deco Meets Artistic Soul for Miami Art Week
3925 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33140
The exterior of Cadillac Hotel. (Photo by: Jeff Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club’s timeless art deco elegance and contemporary creativity collide with the convenience of being near Miami Bach Convention Center, ground zero for Art Basel Miami Beach and the catalyst for Miami Art Week. Perched along the iconic Miami Beach Boardwalk, this oceanfront oasis is wrapped in lush greenery and poolside perfection.
Cadillac is participating this year in No Vacancy, a juried art competition presented by the City of Miami Beach in collaboration with the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority (MBVCA). The initiative transforms 12 iconic Miami Beach hotels into creative playgrounds, showcasing site-specific works by 12 artists selected from a competitive call for submissions. Each artist receives a $10,000 stipend to bring their vision to life, and two participants will share $35,000 in prizes—a $25,000 Juried Prize awarded by a panel of local art professionals and a $10,000 Public Prize decided by popular vote.
At Cadillac, you’ll find acclaimed artist Marielle Plaisir and her evocative mixed-media piece, Rhapsody for a Beloved World. Through vibrant Caribbean colors and salvaged vintage photographs, Plaisir’s work reflects themes of innocence, resilience, and unity, presenting a hopeful vision of connection across boundaries. This powerful piece invites viewers to explore the interconnections of identity, culture, and humanity, perfectly complementing the hotel’s art deco charm and modern elegance.
Kimpton EPIC: Brickell’s Hub for Art, Culture, and Canine Companions
270 Biscayne Blvd. Way Miami, FL 33131
Cute Chihuahua dog wrapped in towel on bed. Pet friendly hotel
Nestled in the heart of Brickell, Kimpton EPIC is a destination for art lovers, cultural enthusiasts and pampered pooches alike. My personal connection to the EPIC runs deep: a stay here with my dog during a 2017 business trip inspired my eventual move to Miami. This serendipitous hotel is also a big supporter of local artists. Launched in 2021, the EPIC Art is a bespoke Artist-in-Residence Program designed to celebrate local talent and offer guests an immersive glimpse into Miami’s thriving art scene. This year-round initiative showcases a dynamic mix of disciplines and mediums, spotlighting both emerging and established artists from diverse backgrounds.
Through December 2024, the hotel’s 16th-floor corridor becomes a vibrant gallery space, hosting rotating exhibitions and live art activations to enhance the guest experience. During Miami Art Week, Adriana Torres Sánchez’s luminous murals will be found poolside and in cabanas as the month’s featured artist. If your dog’s passport has more stamps than the average flight attendant, EPIC will make a fine stay for you and your best friend.
Arlo Wynwood: Explore Miami Art Week from a Hotel Built for Artists
2217 NW Miami Court, Miami, FL 33127
Arlo Wynwood is a hotel experience doubling as a gallery, which is only apropos during Miami Art Week. Nestled in the heart of Miami’s arts district, this 217-room hotel offers striking exterior murals by local Miami artists like Hoxxoh and MILAGROS Collective with curated installations throughout its halls.
Chris Rivers’ exhibition Cosmos will debut at the hotel with a public reception from 6–10 p.m. on December 4. Rivers’ cosmic-inspired works deliver bursts of color with rich layers of intricate details — think flowers, figures, and curvilinear motifs — to draw you into his mesmerizing universe. Beyond this opening, Arlo regularly showcases over 250 pieces of art, such as the serene plexiglass mural by Ari Robinson on the yoga deck and the phygital 3D elevator designs by Brooke Einbender.
The Sagamore South Beach: A South Beach Staple for Miami Art Week
1671 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, FL 33139
When it comes to blending high art with even higher hospitality, Miami’s “Art Hotel” The Sagamore South Beach, has been at the heart of Miami Art Week since its inception. If you choose to make this Art Deco boutique gem your center of operations, you’ll find in the lobby a headlining exhibition: Eternal Creations, an arresting collection of seven, one-of-a-kind, pure silver sculpture casts of Michelangelo’s masterpieces, using original molds from the Fonderia Artistica Ferdinando Marinelli in Florence, Italy. This exhibition is brought in partnership with BitBasel MOA Miami and Treasure Investment Corporation.
The 23rd Annual Sagamore Art Brunch on December 7 is a marquee event drawing industry leaders, artists, and collectors from around the world. The brunch promises live art activations, fashion shows, NFT displays, a performance by the South Florida Symphony, an opulent culinary experience and creative mixology stations. If you see me floating by as this is one of my RSVP yes’s, be sure to say hello.
The Standard Spa, Miami Beach: Relax, Recharge, and Reimagine Miami Art Week
40 Island Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139
MIAMI BEACH, FL – DECEMBER 07: Meditation at Dr. Hauschka x FELDER FELDER Press Lunch during Art … [+]
If you’re looking for a sanctuary during the art-fueled chaos of Miami Art Week, The Standard Spa, Miami Beach is where I’d be living for the week if I weren’t already in my own condo across town. Between its tranquil hideaway lounge areas and a spa that I can verify works miracles, The Standard is one of my favorite go-to spots for firing up my laptop and finding inspiration from the surrounding lush tropical garden incorporated into the hotel grounds.
Celebrating the hotel’s 25th anniversary, The Standard Miami Beach turns its creative spotlight on art with two must-see exhibits. A Reimagination Of Disco + Design: The Future Perfect x Supermarket Creative x The Standard Spa, Miami Beach transforms three guest rooms into immersive vignettes—think Metallic Disco, Wabi Sabi, and Glam—as interpreted The Future Perfect artists Chris Wolston, Chen Chen & Kai Williams, and Reinaldo Sanguino. Producers Nicky Nighttime and Michelle Leshem add to the disco inferno with curated soundscapes to make each room sing.
Outdoors, Flags for Future, presented in partnership with D’Puglia and L’Officiel, lines the gardens with 40 stunning upcycled flags, each a symbol of environmental stewardship and cultural heritage. For design lovers, Antonio Aricò’s Magna Grecia Collection blends ancient Italian craftsmanship with modern flair in an installation rich with Puglia’s history.
Hotel AKA Brickell: Where Brickell’s Skyline Meets Miami Art Week
1395 Brickell Ave, Miami, FL 33131
Hotel AKA Brickell is a sleek haven perched in the heart of Miami’s buzzing Brickell neighborhood. Recently redesigned by Gabellini Sheppard Associates, this 25-story urban oasis offers sweeping views of Biscayne Bay and an environment more fitting as a refined residence than a traditional hotel. Stay for the luxurious accommodations and breathtaking views; come for the art and tequila.
On Wednesday, December 4, Hotel AKA Brickell becomes an art and flavor destination with the unveiling of APEX: A Particle Expansion Show by Solento Organic Tequila co-founder and artist Todd DiCiurcio. This heptaptych mural, created live on-site, takes center stage in the lobby, combining reflective surfaces and monochromatic artistry into a striking visual narrative. The evening also marks the debut of a.gave, a single-barrel tequila by Solento. After a day navigating the Miami Art Week fairs, wind down at ADRIFT Mare, the hotel’s Mediterranean-inspired restaurant, where the new signature cocktail, the Solento Drift, awaits you.
Nikki Beach Miami Beach: Sun, Sea and Soundtracks
1 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139
UNITED STATES – MARCH 23: Photo of Pete TONG; Portrait of DJ Pete Tong performing at a Radio 1 … [+]
For an iconic blend of luxury, music, and oceanfront elegance, Nikki Beach Miami Beach has been the go-to destination since launching in 1998. Nestled on the pristine sands of 1 Ocean Drive, this flagship location offers a sprawling complex featuring a renowned beach club, lush garden area, cabana bar, and an award-winning restaurant serving a global menu inspired by Nikki Beach’s presence in Dubai, Koh Samui, and Santorini.
As Miami Art Week heats up, Nikki Beach invites you to Basel on the Beach on December 5, where resident and guest DJs Eran Hersh, EC Twins, and Sam Haze will set the soundtrack for your night with a sonic journey through chill, deep, afro, and Latin house music. If your exhibitions and party hopping starts to weigh you down, you wouldn’t be faulted for skipping the remaining events to lounge on Nikki Beach’s luxurious day beds and sip cocktails while soaking up the hotel’s brand of Miami Art Week sun, sea, and sound.
Faena Hotel Miami Beach: The Ultimate Miami Art Week Destination
3201 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33140
MIAMI BEACH, FL – DECEMBER 03: Members of the band Bon Jovi perform onstage Bon Jovi Live presented … [+]
Designed by Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin, Faena Hotel Miami Beach is home to my favorite spa in all of Miami: the 22,000-square-foot Tierra Santa Healing House, boasting one of the largest hammams on the East Coast, and whose holistic treatments, sound therapy, and shaman-developed rituals have been melting stress from my body since moving to Miami. If you need more reasons to choose Faena as your ground zero during Miami Art Week, the hotel’s packed lineup of events may just convince you to stay on the grounds entirely and save your Lyft budget for cocktails at the bar.
Faena Art presents Seletega (run, see if people are coming) by Native Alaskan artist Nicholas Galanin, a monumental, site-specific installation on Faena Beach addressing themes of interconnectedness and our collective responsibility for the future. Inside the Faena Hotel Cathedral, Lyra Drake’s Faith in a Finite World invites guests to engage with a divine feminine oracle powered by custom AI. Local talent Magnus Sodamin joins the roster with his nature-inspired Reflections of Florida Wild as part of the No Vacancy competition, underscoring Faena’s commitment to supporting Miami’s artistic community.
From December 3–5, Robb Report takes over the Faena penthouse with House of Robb, an exclusive series of panels, tastings, and networking events. Highlights include discussions with Maserati’s head designer Klaus Busse, an intimate conversation with Faena founder Alan Faena, and a cigar lounge experience hosted by La Aurora. Daniel Ashley Co., a major sponsor for House of Robb, brings two exclusive debuts to Faena: the Series I – Vault Edition ensemble, featuring a rare Super 220/Cervelt & Gold Powder fiber blend, made in collaboration with Dormeuil, for the most bespoke suit tailoring; and the “World’s Finest Sunglasses,” crafted with Leisure Society.
If you’re looking for nightlife, the Faena Theater transforms into an intoxicating venue with electrifying performances, including Fatboy Slim’s highly anticipated afterparty on December 3 and a show by internationally renowned DJ Francis Mercier on December 4. Adding to the mix is Verdy x Complex Miami at Faena Forum from December 6–7, where the Japanese designer will introduce two monumental sculptures of his signature characters, Visty and Vick, designed specifically for this event. Meet and greet with Verdy on December 6, and have shopping access to a curated selection of his iconic pieces, including archival items and limited-edition releases from his famous projects, Girls Don’t Cry and Wasted Youth.
When you’re done exploring all Faena has to offer for Miami Art Week, enjoy decadent dining at Los Fuegos or Pao by Paul Qui, or simply unwind in Faena’s luxurious pool and beach areas. If you do make it to Tierra Santa Healing House, make sure you book your massage with Carlos. Thank me later.
Up next in my pre-Miami Art Week series, where to wine, dine and be seen.
Miami, FL
Patients left scrambling for care after Miami-Dade woman accused of operating an unlicensed surgery recovery center
A 38-year-old woman is behind bars after authorities say she operated an unlicensed plastic surgery recovery center out of an Airbnb in southwest Miami-Dade County, leaving several patients scrambling for care after her arrest.
Kerri Smith faces charges of operating an assisted living facility without a license and an organized scheme to defraud. Investigators say she collected more than $200,000 from clients seeking post-surgical care. Her arrest disrupted the recoveries of at least six women who were staying at the home after undergoing cosmetic procedures.
“I’m really disappointed. Extremely disappointed,” said Janell Dunn, one of the patients who traveled from Orlando for surgery and aftercare.
Dunn said that during her five-day stay, she saw about 12 women cycle through the property. She described chaos unfolding when deputies arrived to arrest a caretaker. “We were all looking at each other like, ‘What are we going to do now?’” Dunn said.
Authorities allege the operation was unsafe and poorly managed. In court, a prosecutor cited complaints of overcrowding, bug infestations, rodents, and improper handling of medical waste.
Despite those allegations, Smith told a judge she had been working to bring the business into compliance, stating, “I got educated. Hired a consultant.”
Patients, however, say they were left with little warning to find new accommodations after paying thousands of dollars for post-operative care. Dunn said she struggled physically in the aftermath, forced to move and lift items despite being in the early stages of recovery.
“I’ve been pushing, pulling, tugging, doing things I shouldn’t be doing at this point,” she said.
Some women booked hotel rooms after being forced out. Tonita Caban, a woman with experience caring for post-surgery patients, took in Dunn. Caban said she couldn’t turn Dunn away after hearing her story through a social media group for post-op patients. She calls Dunn an “angel”.
“And you’re here with me, and you’ll always be my little sister,” Caban told her. “Someone you can count on.” Caban said she is not charging Dunn for her stay, acknowledging the money she already lost to Smith’s now-shuttered operation.
Smith remained in custody at TGK on Wednesday evening.
In a city where menus can read like novellas and cocktails arrive with enough smoke, sparks and theatrics to qualify as performance art, a new Brickell restaurant is taking the opposite approach and betting that fewer choices might actually make dinner better.
At Allegro Ma Non Troppo, a new 38-seat Italian restaurant that recently opened at 1000 South Miami Avenue, you’ll find exactly 10 food items on the menu. Not 10 sections. Not 10 pages. Just 10 dishes, period.
The concept comes from a group of longtime restaurant industry colleagues who wanted to create something that feels more like an Italian grandmother’s dining room than a typical Miami restaurant. There are no reservations, no phone number and no sprawling menu. Instead, guests simply show up, grab a table and eat what the kitchen does best.
The menu follows a simple formula: four appetizers, three mains, two sides and one dessert. Among the highlights are a Caesar salad made using Caesar Cardini’s original 1924 dressing recipe from Tijuana, a Wagyu bolognese “lazy lasagna” layered with Italian sausage and slow-cooked ragù, a free-range chicken cotoletta alla Milanese and a whole branzino prepared with little more than olive oil, lemon and rosemary. And then, of course, there’s the shareable dessert course. Every main course is cooked in the restaurant’s single oven and there are no fryers anywhere in sight.
What makes Allegro Ma Non Troppo particularly personal is the story behind it. The restaurant serves as a tribute to co-owner Carlos Galan’s mother, who died earlier this year at age 102. Many of her belongings now decorate the space, helping the restaurant feel more like a family home than a polished dining concept.
“The goal was never to create a perfect luxury restaurant,” Galan said. “It was to create a place where people feel genuinely welcomed, nourished, and emotionally connected the moment they walk through the door.”
Co-owner Vanessa Velez says the team hopes diners remember more than just what was on their plates. “We always want to touch the customer emotionally, because when you touch someone’s emotions, you leave a mark,” she said. “Our goal is to leave a lasting imprint on our guests’ hearts.”
Whether the 10-item menu becomes Miami’s next dining obsession remains to be seen. But in a neighborhood packed with restaurants competing to do more, Allegro Ma Non Troppo is making a compelling case for doing less.
Miami, FL
Miami biotech executive was followed into his condo by man who allegedly threw him from 25th floor
A Miami biotech executive was followed into the skyscraper where he lived by the man, accused of pushing him off the building’s 25th floor, newly-released surveillance video shows.
Justin Zelin, 35, was seen walking into Miami Beach’s 47-story Akoya Condominium with a bearded man Corey Hutterli, 37, following behind on Feb. 12 — three days before his death, NBC6 reported.
Zelin, who was wearing a casual outfit, threw away some trash in a garbage can before walking up to the entry door in the high-rise condominium’s parking lot, unaware he would fall to his death.
Hutterli, who was wearing a bucket hat, was following closely behind, carrying bottles of alcohol.
Just three days later, Harvard graduate Zelin called 911 to report a disturbance. During the call, he ordered Hutterli to leave the apartment, WPLG reported.
Zelin, who had worked as a biotechnology equity research analyst at BTIG since January 2021, reportedly shouted, “Get away from me Sasha,” using a nickname Hutterli was known by.
There was a bust-up and cops said, “During said physical altercation defendant Hutterli caused victim Zelin to perish due to blunt force trauma.”
Zelin’s body hit a path on the ground floor, according to surveillance video recorded eight minutes after the 911 call.
Hutterli’s defense team claimed Zelin “went over the balcony” after an alleged mental episode.
They claimed Zelin, who was identified as JZ in court documents, screamed at Hutterli in “what can only be described as a complete break with reality.”
“JZ can be heard ranting, claiming that he was killed by a homeless person, and insisting that he is dead.
“During this mental break, JZ ran in and out of the apartment, and then he went over the balcony of his 25th-floor condo and fell to his death.”
But the state of Hutterli’s body suggested something more sinister had happened. He had scratches on his cheek, and a cut on his thumb.
He was also in what “appears to be an excited state, according to police.
“What’s going on?” a shoeless Hutterli asked one officer.
“Somebody, he freaked out, attacked me.”
The cop asked Hutterli if he was alone, to which he replied, “No I don’t know where he is.
“I kept telling him to relax.”
Hutterli then blurted out, “What is the situation? Did he jump?”
Cops then searched the apartment – which had items strewn inside – and they found Hutterli’s bucket hat.
There were blood spatters on the rails, and clumps of Hutterli’s beard hair were also found.
Blood was also found on Hutterli’s shirt – and they found ketamine in his bag.
Hutterli was arrested on April 8 and faces a second-degree murder charge, which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Cops were able to make an arrest after Zelin’s DNA was discovered on Hutterli’s jacket.
He also faces burglary with assault or battery, possession of a controlled substance, and drug paraphernalia charges.
Tributes, meanwhile, were paid to Zelin following his death.
“Justin was one of the best biotech analysts I have ever worked with,” friend Amit Jolly wrote on Linkedin.
“His work was rigorous, thoughtful, and deeply coordinated.
“He had a rare ability to see around corners and articulate complex ideas with clarity and conviction.
“Our field has lost an extraordinary mind, and many of us have lost a trusted voice and friend.”
-
New Mexico1 minute agoSouth Valley business estimates $1M in damages after recycling plant fire
-
North Carolina4 minutes agoJ.R. Smith Graduates From North Carolina A&T, Fulfilling A Promise Years In The Making | Essence
-
North Dakota9 minutes agoThe Worst Prisons In The USA: Where Does The ND State Pen Rank?
-
Ohio16 minutes agoOhio auditor describes how widespread Medicaid fraud affects taxpayers | Fox News Video
-
Oklahoma19 minutes agoOne injured in auto-pedestrian crash in northwest Oklahoma City
-
Oregon24 minutes agoWoman dies after falling into Devil’s Punchbowl on Oregon coast
-
Pennsylvania31 minutes agoHalf of child deaths left unreviewed in Pennsylvania since 2020 as counties struggle with ‘unfunded mandate’
-
Rhode Island34 minutes agoHe grew up in the kitchen. Then he rewrote the menu, and the future of his parents’ restaurant – The Boston Globe
