The Most Stylish Hotspots at Art Basel This Year

The Reefline

A 7-mile underwater sculpture park designed by OMA and launching in phases in 2025 will preview a major 60-foot installation by Carlos Betancourt titled “Miami Reef Star” on the South Beach shoreline.

The Great Elephant Migration

After stops in Newport and New York, one hundred life-sized Indian elephant sculptures will be installed on the sands of Mid-beach, with additional art week activations including a presentation of CoExistence by Xerjoff, a perfume inspired by the flora of the elephant’s natural habitat. 

Broken Shaker

This long standing crowd-favorite hotel recently kicked off an operating partnership with Authentic Hospitality, known best for New York watering holes like Ray’s Bar, Pebble Bar and Jac’s on Bond. 

Peter Studl at Mr. C Miami

Mr. C Miami – Coconut Grove will unveil a collaboration with Peter Studl, the Austrian-American painter and sculptor known for his work in raw, industrial materials. Beginning December 4, the property will transform into an interactive art experience showcasing Studl’s work, aiming to blur the line between art and environment.

Faena Rose Beach Club

The delightfully kitschy hotel from the mind of Alan Faena is known for its theatrical interiors. But the hotel’s beach club, complete with a menu by Chef Francis Mallmann, often goes overlooked. Be sure to order the empanadas. 

Sunny's Miami 

Once a COVID-era parking lot pop-up, and now a full-fledged restaurant, Sunny’s mid-century inspired dining room serves up great steaks, innovative pastas and top notch cocktails. 

The Moore

Housed in a neoclassical landmark of the Design District, The Moore is equal parts work space, eatery and boutique hotel with just 13 suites. Works by Rob Pruitt, Carrie Mae Weems, Robert Longo, Cindy Sherman and Harmony Korine adorn the walls, but the true showstopper is the lobby atrium by Zaha Hadid.

Harbour Club Miami

Overlooking Biscayne Bay, this new member’s club aims to be the Miami version of Annabel’s in London with a menu by James Julius and Chef Michele Esposito. For non-members, there's an all-day Italian-Mediterranean boîte, a’Riva.

Olaolu Slawn

The Design District will play host to the Nigerian artist’s highly anticipated Miami showcase. In his latest body of work, Slawn creates 10 instinctive and raw large-scale canvases that fuse psychedelic jazz-like patterns and satirical portraits of his iconic frowning caricatures. Known for his bold, primary-colored portraits that merge Yoruba heritage with contemporary youth culture, Slawn’s work satirizes societal norms with humor and audacity. 

Casa Tua

With its recent expansion to New York’s Surrey Hotel, the cult of Casa Tua continues to lure the jetset crowd, so expect the Miami location to be more of a social hub than restaurant. Make sure to stick around after dinner for the dance party at the second floor bar, which is known to bust out a karaoke machine now and then. 

ZZ’s Club 

For a more rarified air, Major Food Group opened ZZ’s, a members club in the Miami Design District, where patrons can enjoy the same menu while avoiding the endless jostle to secure a reservation.

Unknwn

Co-founded by NBA basketball player LeBron James, this high-end concept store merges fashion, art and street culture in a space that feels more like an art gallery than retail shop. The minimalist interior is a canvas for exclusive designer collaborations, rare sneakers and curated streetwear collections, attracting locals and visitors alike. 

La Natural 

Away from the bustle of South Beach, La Natural was created by husband and wife duo Javier Ramirez and Andreina Matos as a homebase for pizza and natural wine. 

Walrus Rodeo

From the team that brought you Boia De (and just a stone’s throw away) comes Walrus Rodeo, which offers a vegetarian-leaning menu all cooked over an open fire. 

Brother's Keeper Miami

This new cocktail bar by Chris Hudnall and Randy Alonso of Lost Boy & Co is named for the pilot episode of Miami Vice. Case in point: this haute-dive bar’s neon-lit interior will attract Art Basel revelers into the wee hours. 

Art By God

This off-the-beaten-path warehouse in downtown Miami won’t be on any list of hotspots, but it is a sprawling shop full of taxidermy, fossils and crystals. Think Deyrolle in Paris with a south-of-the-border spin.