Each December, Miami transforms into an international mecca of contemporary art with Art Basel Miami Beach as its epicenter. Held at the Miami Convention Center from December 6 – 8, this event brings galleries from five continents together under one roof to showcase art from Modern and contemporary masters as well as emerging artists.
But even if you can’t make it, Miami’s connection to the arts is a year-round affair — and it’s one of the strongest features about our Inspectors' top picks in the city for both restaurants and hotels.
Here, the culinary and hospitality worlds don’t just brush up against art—they’re steeped in it, creating immersive experiences for guests who crave both creative inspiration and luxury. Below, discover a selection of MICHELIN hotels and restaurants that embody the city's obsession with design.
We’ve called Faena Miami Beach the most outrageous design hotel in Miami, and that’s evident from the moment you lay eyes on artist Damien Hirst’s gilded, three-meter skeleton of a wooly mammoth (that once sold for $15 million at auction). Today it’s in the hotel’s garden, just one of Faena's endless spaces that feel more like a cinematic set piece than anything resembling a hotel.
Even the dining space, the Asian restaurant Pao by Paul Qui, is marked by the Faena celebration of an outrageously bold aesthetic. The restaurant has another Hirst statue: a gleaming unicorn. Don't come to Faena if you have any aversion to bright colors.
Just down the road, The Betsy Hotel has woven its identity around the arts, serving as Miami Beach’s cultural anchor. Cco-owner Lesley Goldwasser oversees an extensive art program that includes galleries filled with photography-based works, all carefully curated to be thought-provoking and accessible. But it doesn’t stop there—the hotel’s "Betsy Orb," a futuristic bridge that links its two buildings, and the "Poetry Rail," an installation of Miami’s finest writers, celebrate the city’s creative soul. Throughout the year, guests can catch jazz performances, art exhibitions, and poetry readings, or even meet resident artists who work on-site. For Goldwasser, making art accessible is paramount: “It’s about inviting people to engage, whether they’re here for a night or just walking through.”
As the first hotel to open in the artsy Wynwood neighborhood, Arlo Wynwood steps up as a living canvas for the district’s dynamic spirit. Local artists Hoxxoh and MILAGROS Collective have transformed the property’s exterior with vibrant murals that explore the rhythms of Miami life. Inside, the outdoor yoga deck features an ethereal plexiglass mural by Florida-based artist Ari Robinson, whose organic, layered shapes cast playful shadows, offering guests a unique visual experience with each sunrise. Arlo Wynwood bridges the divide between art connoisseurs and curious travelers, inviting both to enjoy its many surprises.
At Chef Shingo Akikuni’s One MICHELIN Star SHINGO, Japanese culture and art converge. Upon entering, guests are greeted by a rotating gallery of Japanese artistry. The current exhibition showcases "Asahiyaki" pottery, a revered ceramic art from Japan’s Uji City, famous for its tea culture. Chef Shingo explains, “Asahiyaki represents over 400 years of craftsmanship by the Matsubayashi family. Each piece tells a story of dedication.” It’s not just dining—it’s a cultural experience, where plates are as artistically considered as the dishes they hold, and each piece of pottery brings diners closer to Japanese tradition.
The Kimpton EPIC Hotel in downtown Miami’s EPIC Art program offers a dynamic, rotating exhibition space on its 16th floor, showcasing both emerging and established artists. Currently on display are the concert photos of Toronto-based Taylor Swift photographer Jasmeet Sidhu, with a special focus on her various "eras." For Art Basel in November and December, Mexican artist Adriana Torres Sánchez will present works raising awareness about autism. This yearlong residency program brings Miami’s vibrant art scene directly into the hotel.
At The National Hotel Miami, art is seamlessly integrated into the guest experience. The hotel’s Artist Collection Suites, designed by Elizabeth Fatone, feature striking, colorful decor that merges Art Deco with contemporary flair. Throughout the property’s public spaces—lobby, restaurants, and common areas—guests encounter a rotating selection of works by global artists. The National also offers monthly Art Deco history tours, seasonal dining, and wine tastings.
Hero image: Arlo Wynwood
