Art Basel Miami Beach is the most important art show in the United States, a cultural and social highlight for the Americas.
Everyone from taxi drivers to the grocery keepers and hotel housekeepers has an opinion, and no one is shy about sharing it. Even Americans who have lived in Naples for some time are not immune.
The world's premier international art show for Modern and contemporary works, Art Basel features nearly 300 leading galleries from North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa.
I love Paris and I would go there at the drop of a hat. So when I had to go to Europe recently on a business trip, I figured out a way to end it in Paris.
Vernissage: December 1
Gansevoort South
2377 Collins Avenue
Set on a palm tree fringed beachfront in South Beach. The property spans two city blocks from 23rd to 24th streets on Collins Avenue. It has 334 rooms including 86 suites. The rooms are accessed by keyed elevator.
Average size of rooms is 730 sq. ft. (1,000 sq.ft. for suites) with views of the ocean, bay or city. Bed types are either king or double/doubles. Suites and some of the kings have a balcony.The guest rooms offer style and comfort with state of the art technology and oversized bathrooms. Bathrooms have a glass walk-in shower with dual shower heads, huge soaking bathtubs and double vanities. All rooms have bathrobes, iron, ironing board, laptop safe, yoga mat, 40” HD LCD Tvs, Sony DVD/CD player and iPod dock alarm stereo. There are also multi-line cordless phones and mini bar .
3 ocean front pools with lounges and cabanas
Rooftop pool (for adults only) with a 110 ft. long pool
24 hour Sony media center decked out with the latest technology including a photo printer
24 hr in room dining
24 hr concierge
Cutler hair salon, luxury boutiques, nightclub, and renowned restaurants
Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the property
369 – Deluxe king City View
444 – Deluxe king Ocean View
519 – Deluxe king Ocean View with balcony
519 – One bedroom suite City View
620 – One bedroom suite Ocean View
All rates given require four night minimum stay.
The 45,000 sq.ft gym is operated by David Barton, therefore it is a separate fee of $15 per day. There is no extra resort fee.
DEPOSIT / CANCELLATION
One night room and tax deposit is due at time of reservation. Deposit is refundable if cancellation is received by email to Altour 15 days before arrival. If cancellation is received 14 days or less, there will be no refund of the deposit. Rates above are guaranteed until October 15th . Name changes will be allowed for a fee of $50. All changes and cancellations must be done by email to esilda.buxbaum@altour.com.
South Seas Hotel
1751 Collins Avenue
Boutique art deco beachfront hotel with 113 rooms is located between 17th and 18th streets and Collins Avenue.
The hotel has two towers, one is three stories high, the one in the back is 7 floors, all connected downstairs and on the 3rd floor by a well lit hallway with vintage photos cataloguing Miami’s social history. There is a very pleasant all white lobby with touches of brown, very light and inviting.
Business center with computers and printers free for all to use
Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the hotel
Complimentary continental buffet breakfast
Beach chairs, lounges and towels are also free
Bar and dining area by the pool
Hammocks in the palm garden
Flt panel TV’s and iPod docks
Laptop safe
Iron and board
Waffle bathrobes
Poolside café and full service restaurant bar
Small fitness center with complimentary yoga classes once a week
Peak nights: Dec. 1, 2, 3 and 4
285 – single with king or two double beds
Off peak nights
189 – single with king or two double beds
The elevator to the rooms is accessed with your room key. The all non smoking rooms have a pleasant light blue, green and white décor. There are configurations of king or double/double beds. Bathrooms are all white with tub and shower combination. There are large closet with plenty of hangers and shelving. Deluxe rooms are ocean views, superiors are side views onto foliage.
DEPOSIT / CANCELLATION
Rates given are for a 3 night minimum stay and do not include the 13% city/state tax.
The Riviera South Beach
2000 Liberty Avenue ( one block West of Collins Avenue on 20th street)
Inspired by the modern baroque designs of legendary Dorothy Draper, this 1940s classic jewel has been transformed into a boutique hotel with the South Beach Hotel Group signature of bold and modern designs. Located at 2000 Liberty Avenue, just steps from the famed Collins Avenue, the beach, the Miami Beach convention center, boutiques, restaurants and SoBe nightlife. This retreat which opened January 2009, features 54 spacious and luxurious one-bedroom apartment–like suites which average 700 sq. ft. They all have gourmet kitchens, separate living and dining areas.
The living room is equipped with a deluxe sleeper sofa to accommodate up to two guests. State–of–the–art features include two 42" flat–screen televisions, iPod docking stations and complimentary wireless Internet access. Bedrooms are luxe with sumptuous pillow–top, custom beds made from 100% organic cotton. Bathrooms feature full rain head showers and separate entrances to both the bedroom and living room. Kitchens feature stainless steel appliances and granite countertops complete with a premium top–shelf bar. The all–suite Riviera South Beach also houses an intimate tropical courtyard pool with an outdoor grille & bar and private cabanas, a lobby lounge, a restaurant, meeting space, rooftop private multi-function event space, a state–of–the–art spa and yoga room and a rooftop sun deck with sweeping views of the city and ocean.
A concierge is available to assist with coordinating grocery delivery service and personal chef and catering service. The hotel also has private parking.
$250 – Minimum Stay 5 nights
$280 – Less than 5 night stay
Prices stated do not include: Tax of 13% per day or $ 10.00 resort fee per day. The Resort fee covers: wireless high speed internet, round–trip shuttle from Miami International Airport and back, continental breakfast, daily cocktail hour from 7–8PM, local calls up to 15 minutes and an in–room safe.
DEPOSIT / CANCELLATION
1 night non refundable deposit is due October 29. Full prepayment 21 days prior to arrival, after which time there will be no refund.
Loews Miami Beach
1601 Collins Avenue (between 16th and 17th streets)
The Loews has undergone a complete refurbishment ( new color scheme-light green, brown and grey) new carpeting, linens and curtains) plus the renovation of bathrooms and the lighting system in the hallways. All rooms now have a pullout couch in the sitting area.
374 – DELUXE king or double/double with city views
408 – LUXURY rooms are all partial ocean views some with balcony (cannot guarantee this)
442 – PREMIUM KING guaranteed balcony with an ocean view.
476 – ROTUNDA rooms are located in the front towers, therefore are all city views. These are now one bedroom with separation between the living area and the bedroom.
518 – LUXURY KING CORNER SUITE with ocean views and private balcony.
The hotel is not giving out room allotments this year, probably because of the poor attendance they had last year. Altour has special year-round contract rates with them together with American Express (you don't have to pay with Amex) which we will use for this year's Art Basel attendees. There will be one night's deposit taken at the time of reservation, but it is fully refundable 3 days before arrival. The rates given are sample rates, the exact rate will be given to you when you request the reservation with us. As always, they do not include the 13% state/city taxes. The earlier you reserve, the better the rate will be. All changes and cancellations must be done in writing with Altour. Please note, that the room types have changed since the renovation, they now call the "standard" room city view a deluxe and what was the "deluxe" last year, is now called a Luxury king.
We have secured an allotment of rooms in several hotels and special airfares for a number of upcoming art fairs. Click for more info:
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Local Hotspots
Sra Martinez
New trendy restaurant worth the trip: Sra. Martinez located at 4000 NE 2nd Avenue (near 40th street) in the Design District. Michelle Bernsein known chef of "Michy's" just opened a new tapas restaurant which will give "Michael's" run for their money.
The restaurant is housed in an old post office building with a bar, dining tables and a mezzanine for more dining. It is reasonably priced and very authentic. Unfortunately, the lighting was too low to take photos but you can see the entire menu
Michael's
In the Design District (almost across from Sra. Martinez) at 130 N.E. 40th street. For reservations call 305-573-5550, website: www.michaelsgenuine.com
An American bistro with an emphasis on Floridian fruits, soil and seas and almost everything is done on the premises (pickles, jams, charcuterie, potato chips, etc). It has an open kitchen with a prominent wood-burning oven.
Small, medium and large plates, all for sharing range from $8-30. Has outdoor dining, indoor and a small bar area overlooking the kitchen. Open for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch.
BIGGEST BARGAIN IN ALL OF SOUTH BEACH
Airport bus to and from downtown. Bus # 150 called the Airport Flyer costs $2.35 (you can insert the dollar bills and change into the box) takes 20-30 minutes. It departs the airport from the departure level. Runs on Collins Avenue, check website: http://www.miamidade.gov
For schedule (almost every 25 minutes). It departs and leaves you on the arrivals concourse.