And we don't mean Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas or Kwanzaa, either. We're talking, of course, about Art Basel Miami Beach.

The bustling art fair and all its satellite events, exhibitions and packed-to-the-rafters parties takes place December 1–4, although the fun begins a few days before that, with the glam gallerist gang getting into town right after Turkey Day weekend.

As always, hotels are a hot-bed of Basel activity. This isn't the definitive guide, as venues are still finalizing their event deets, but here's a sampling of what's happening. We'll have more info on Basel happenings soon--as well as a last-minute room-rate check for the late-to-the-party art fans among you.

]]> MsRebecca 2011-11-17T09:19:48-05:00 http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2011/11/14/8152/8000

We're still talking about our trip to Parrot Cay and that was over a year ago. So, we totally understand how the beach-posh beauty of the resort inspires people to move there (what's up, Bruce Willis? You, too, Donna Karan?)--and now, design a resort-wear collection inspired by the place.

Surprisingly, the designer in question is not Karan--although she does sell the divine COMO Shambala beauty products in her Urban Zen boutique in NYC. The new Parrot Cay pieces are from Heidi Klein, a Brit known for creating swimwear that 'exudes a barefoot chic confidence'.

]]> MsRebecca 2011-11-14T09:37:31-05:00 http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2011/10/11/121324/51 <![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/1425/delanoexteriorshot.jpg" class="top"><p> As the high season gets closer in Miami Beach, there's been a hurricane (too soon?) of activities happening around the hottest hotels. <p>For starters, <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/Delano+Hotel/local/16"><b>The Delano</b></a> is apparently closing both their <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2011/7/28/101950/544/hotels/Five_Hotel_Restaurants_We_d_Hit_Up_for_Miami_Spice"><b>Blue Door Fish</b></a> and Lenny Kravitz's <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2007/12/17/1423/7694/hotels/Lenny_Kravitz_Actually_Hangs_Out_at_The_Florida_Room"><b>Florida Room</b></a>, even though both are fairly new to the property.<p> <a href="http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/shortorder/2011/10/delano_is_closing_blue_door_fi.php">Miami New Times</a> reports that Blue Door Fish will close sometime after <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/tag/art basel">Art Basel</a> and will reopen as something called, Bianca. Brian Massie, a chef from the nightlife and resto outfit in Las Vegas, <a href="http://www.vegaschatter.com/tag/the%20light%20group">The Light Group</a>, will take over the cuisine.<p>There's no word on what's replacing The Florida Room just that it will close at the end of December but reopen juliana 2011-10-12T11:08:13-05:00 http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2011/9/27/84722/0977

Miami is full of sexy hotels, we know that. But what about sexy bathrooms? You know, the kind that offer more than just your run-of-the-mill shower. A place to cool off after a day at the beach or to steam things up with your special someone.

Here are the Five Sexiest Hotel Bathrooms we've seen in Miami.

1. Soho Beach House (above)
Sexy Details: A soaking tub, full-sized Cowshed products, a comfy visitor's chair next to the tub--all in a pretty, sun-splashed bathroom the size of many Ocean Drive hotel rooms.

]]> MsRebecca 2011-09-27T10:30:01-05:00 http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2011/9/12/10717/1459 <![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/30451/Solea.jpg" class="top"><p><i>Solea, as the tabloids say, in happier times.</i><p>Miami Spice is still offering its cheap eats through the end of September, but the latest hotel news in South Beach has us thinking ahead to next year's Spice--when two new restaurants will be in place at two of the most high-profile properties in town.<p> We were waxing lyrical about <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2011/9/1/95556/38305/hotels/The_Royal_At_The_Raleigh_Is_a_Mouthful_of_Deliciousness">The Royal</a> at <a href='http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel/local/18'> <strong>The Raleigh</strong></a>just last week--and it's only been there since <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2010/11/17/101247/36/hotels/The_Raleigh_Will_Get_a_Hot_NYC_Chef_for_Its_New_Resto_And_Just_in_Time_for_Art_Basel_">last November</a>--but clearly our love is not enough to prevent change. Miami's most famous chef, Michael Schwartz of Michael's Genuine, is moving into the Raleigh, probably by the end of the year. <p> That's huge. But it's not the only restaurant revolving door spinning--the <i>Miami MsRebecca 2011-09-12T10:26:32-05:00 Search HotelChatter string http://www.hotelchatter.com/search/