For all the art lovers, as a native of Miami Florida, I am thrilled to give you my recommendations for a seamless and fabulous trip to Art Basel Miami Beach, December 1-4, in Miami Beach Convention Center.
267 leading galleries from North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa will be showcasing their best and brightest so I’m sure you are all heading towards the palm trees very soon! Thought this art basel miami blog could be useful
Satellite Art Fairs
Miami transforms into a giant cultural bubble for a few weeks and here is a selection of some fabulous satellite art fairs.
With over 70 art shows spanning 15 years, SCOPE is the largest and most global art fair in the world, celebrated as the first showcase for international emerging contemporary art and multi-disciplinary creative programming.
The New Art Dealers Alliance (NADA) is the definitive non-profit arts organization dedicated to the cultivation, support, and advancement of new voices in contemporary art.
Untitled is an international curated art fair that focuses on curatorial balance and integrity across all disciplines of contemporary art. The best part is you can have your power walk on the beach and enjoy this exposition.
The Red Dot Miami is a juried, contemporary art show in the heart of Miami featuring an international slate of 500 galleries.
Cultural Activities
A part from the all the art fairs, don’t miss the cultural treasures in miami !
The Cisneros Fontanals Art Foundation
The Cisneros Fontanals Art Foundation (CIFO) is dedicated to the support of emerging and mid-career
Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) is a modern and contemporary art museum dedicated to collecting and exhibiting international art of the 20th and 21st centuries.
Gary Nader Art Centre has been regarded as one of the most entrepreneurial and successful galleries in the world. It has developed into much more than just a gallery after more than three decades dedicated to the support and recognition of Latin American art and promoting the best of Modern and Contemporary art worldwide.
Fashion & Beauty
If you are, like me, a fashion and beauty addict here are some exclusive places you shouldn’t miss !
Glamsquad’s renowned stylists provide personalized consultations to create any look you desire. So if you want to achieve the perfect look for Art Basel, go and download the app GLAMSQUAD !
Don’t miss the special Dolce&Gabbana collection of accessories dedicated to Miami, only available to buy in the Dolce&Gabbana store in Miami.
Shopping
If I had to give just one advice: I recommend at least one empty luggage on your way to Miami ! Because I know that shopping in Miami is fabulous! Here are some spots that my daughters and I adore:
There you can find all the high end shops such as Chanel, Tiffanys, Neimam Marcus, and Saks Fifth Avenue. 
This mall is in north Miami and has all the luxury brands. It also has general brands such as Abercombie and Zara.
Furthermore, you cannot miss the the Miami Design District which is a creative neighborhood and shopping destination dedicated to innovative fashion, design, art, architecture and dining. The advantage of this area is there is a mix of art galleries, decorators showrooms and shopping all in one place , and many satellite art fairs are found here too.
Look below at my favorite restaurants in the Design district
The Webster
The Webster Miami beach is the montaigne market of Miami with a selection of trendy outfits for tropical living.
Silvia Tcherassi is one of the most acclaimed figures of Latin American fashion and a role model for a new generation of creators. She was the first Latin American designer to be invited by the organizers of Milano and Paris fashion weeks to participate in their official calendar. For her contributions to fashion,the French government awarded her the title of “Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters.”
Relaxing Time
After all this long cultural program, what about some relaxing time ? Here are some wonderful spas I highly recommende !
The Lapis Spa – Fontainebleau hotel
Fontainebleau’s Lapis Spa is the most beautiful spa in America. Luxury spa treatments include outstanding facials and ocean-inspired wraps, but what stands out are the amenities you enjoy afterward: mineral pools, massage-jet showers, and eucalyptus steam baths.
Whether you wish to feel calm, rejuvenated or energised, the Mandarin Oriental Spa‘s soothing treatments will restore a sense of harmony to your body, mind and soul.
Kids Entertainment
If you are going to Miami with your kids, here are some fabulous options to visit !
The Jungle Island is home to some of the world’s rarest and most exotic animals.
The Miami Children’s Museum offers interactive exhibits, programs, and learning materials related to arts, culture, community and communication.
The Miami Seaquarium offers a variety of unique interactive and educational experiences, perfect for families seeking fun things to do in Keys Biscayne with kids! From discovering sea turtles, meeting the newest creatures, and learning about our conservation efforts, there is something for everyone.
The Miami Metro Zoo is a house for more than 700 wild animals in a cageless subtropical environment.
Restaurants
And if you’ve worked up an appetite after cruising the galleries, here are some of my favorite restaurants in Miami that I don’t think you should miss !
The George Perez museum and his restaurant “Verde”, Miami Beach area
Located in Pérez Art Museum Miami with sweeping views of Biscayne Bay, The Verde is a modern, casual restaurant with both indoor and outdoor seating. We can lunch with a beautiful ocean view !
As a luxury wedding planner, last year, my team and I organized an amazing event in this breathtaking Venue that allows you to visit the exposition and have an amazing dinner with an incredible view of Miami and the ocean.
Lincoln Road Mall and his restaurant “Juvia”, Miami Beach area
Juvia is the beautiful restaurant and lounge located on the penthouse level of the famed Lincoln Road. Set nine stories above the city, a retractable roof makes dining on Juvia’s terrace. My favorite meal, The Ceviche, delicious, I recommend it!
Milo‘s has the best ambiance and the best fish in Miami, My family’s favorite is the Sea bass !
The Cecconis, Miami Beach Area
In the courtyard of Soho Beach House, Cecconi’s is a modern day classic Italian restaurant, served hand-made pasta, seafood, and dishes from Northern Italy. Great place to dine outside under hundreds of candle lights
Guests will enjoy keyless entry, paperless check-in and check-out, a native App with locally curated insights and travel tips, art exhibits, fashion events, health and wellness programing, and an array of other happenings to enjoy throughout their trip.
Copyright East Miami
The Deck Island Gardens, Miami Beach Area
Island Gardens is the finest marina destination in the world, with an exclusive resort hotel, high-curated retail and dining, leisure garden development, all waterside with 360° views of the skyline of Miami and the historical harbor of Biscayne Bay.
Copyright The Deck Island Gardens
River Yacht Club, Biscayne area
The River Yacht Club, that only recently opened, is an oasis nestled in downtown Miami, is a unique waterfront property offering a boater-friendly waterfront restaurant with indoor/outdoor seating, the rooftop VanDutch Lounge, a private club and 400 feet of dockage space so you can come by Boat .
The Michael’s Genuine Restaurant, Design District
Since Michael’s Genuine restaurant first opened in the Miami Design District in spring of 2007, diners have come to embrace and crave its refreshing combination of laid-back atmosphere and seriously good food.
The Mandolin restaurant, Design District area
Inspired by the tavernas of Aegean coastal towns, Mandolin Aegean Bistro was opened by husband and wife team Ahmet Erkaya and Anastasia Koutsioukis in Miami in 2009 serving homespun recipes from Greece and Turkey.
The MC Kitchen Restaurant, Design District area
Located in Miami’s Design District, MC Kitchen sets the table with modern Italian cuisine by chef Dena Marino. Through the use of green market sensibility, they offer seasonal dishes with ingredients selected on the basis of quality, harvest maturity and farming integrity.
Hotels
Finally, I strongly recommend you to stay in the zone of Miami beach since there is terrible traffic during Basel Art, so it’s worth staying in the district.
There are four 5 star trendy hotels that I recommend:
The One Hotel South Beach, 2341 Collins Avenue Miami Beach
Occupying the entire oceanfront block of Collins Avenue, 1 Hotel South is at the nexus of two Miami beaches. It has a more organic white and wood tones style
Alejandra Poupel Events organized a corporate event in this fabulous One South Hotel, where the french art galleries gathered in the grass lawn for entertainment and artsy networking.
The Soho house – 4385 Collins Avenue Miami Beach
The Setai – 2001 Collins Ave, Miami Beach
The Faena – 3201 Collins Ave, Miami Beach
Surprising Damien Hirst artwork right in the middle of the pool area, goes well with art lovers !
Affordable Hotels
And for more affordable options, here are five hotels I recommend:
The San Juan Hotel –1680 Collins Ave, Miami Beach
The combination of vintage Miami Beach elegance matched with modern South Beach design converge to create an ambiance that truly redefines tropical luxury.
The Loews Hotel – 1601 Collins Ave, Miami Beach
Loews Miami Beach Hotel, located in the heart of vibrant, cosmopolitan South Beach offers direct access to the ocean and all the city has to offer.
The Marriott Stanton – 161 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach
Commended by Marriott International in 2016 for their remarkable redesign, the Marriott Stanton South Beach offers a modern take on beach chic. In a city known for its style, the oceanfront hotel on South Beach stands apart.
The Bentley Hotel – 510 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach
A four star boutique hotel in Miami Beach, Bentley Hotel South Beach is an oasis of luxury steps from the best dining, nightlife and shopping on Ocean Drive.
The Royal Palm Hotel – 1545 Collins Ave, Miami Beach
With an ideal South Beach locale, just north of world famous Ocean Drive at 15th Street, Royal Palm South Beach Miami is an oceanfront resort situated within the coveted and culturally rich area of South Beach, Miami.
Venue Miami Beach Convention Center 1901 Convention Center Drive Miami Beach, FL 33139
Opening hours First Choice (by invitation only) Wednesday, November 30, 2016, 11am to 4pm
Preview (by invitation only) Wednesday, November 30, 2016, 4pm to 8pm
Vernissage (by invitation only) Thursday, December 1, 2016, 11am to 3pm
Public days Thursday, December 1, 2016, 3pm to 8pm Friday, December 2, 2016, 12 noon to 8pm Saturday, December 3, 2016, 12 noon to 8pm Sunday, December 4, 2016, 12 noon to 6pm
For more information, please check Miami Art Basel website:
Have a lovely time in Miami enjoying the sunshine, and amazing artwork !!
Welcome to Art Basel, Miami Beach
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