Bal Harbour: The Alternative to Party-Hard Art Basel

A bird’s-eye view of the Ritz (Photo: Courtesy of the Ritz-Carlton Bal Harbour)
Just a lick away from Miami Beach’s bulging bodies, vodka-fuelled super-clubs and blinged-out Art Basel fair (Dec. 4–7), you’ll find the swank enclave of Bal Harbour. Once largely regarded as a shopping mecca thanks to Bal Harbour Shops (balharbourshops.com), the village’s laid-back resorts and burgeoning community art scene now offer culture without the flash. Here, your curated stay.
The Yabu Pushelberg-designed lobby at the St. Regis (Photo: Courtesy of the St. Regis Bal Harbour)
Say Ahhhhhh…
The Yabu Pushelberg–designed St. Regis (stregisbalharbour.com) has set the standard for epic R&R with its beach­front views (every room has ’em), private cabanas, butler service and serene Remède Spa. For a buzz, check out the nightly champagne sabering—and swigging—in the main-floor bar. If you’re still jonesing for art, I found the sculptural crème brûlée with poached apple at the hotel’s J&G ​Grill (

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