Beyond the Gallery – Florida Hotels Turn Spaces into Artful Experiences
In celebration of World Art Day on April 15, luxury and boutique hotels around the world are transforming their spaces into mini museums—showcasing thought-provoking works, striking murals, and curated exhibitions by both emerging talents and renowned blue-chip artists. Below, a closer look at the standout pieces and installations on display at these exceptional properties.
MIAMI
The Betsy Hotel
As the anchor of the arts in Miami Beach, The Betsy Hotel is committed to artistic excellence year-round, serving as a cultural destination with a rich tapestry of initiatives designed to make art accessible and engaging for everyone. In fact, The Betsy is the only non-museum institution that is included in Miami Beach’s Culture Crawl. The Betsy houses permanent art galleries in nearly all of its communal spaces – from the hallways to the elevators and staircases – featuring works curated by The Betsy’s co-owner Lesley Goldwasser. Highlights include “The Betsy Orb,” an egg-shaped architectural marvel that functions as a bridge connecting the hotel’s two buildings, and “The Poetry Rail,” an installation of poetry etched into metal by water jets, celebrating the contributions of 12 writers who have shaped Miami culture. The Betsy’s Arts & Community Engagement Program also offers more than visual arts, with live jazz performances nine times a week, classical music pop-ups, poetry readings and an acclaimed artist residency program, which has hosted more than 1,000 writers and creatives.
Arlo Wynwood
Arlo Wynwood, the first hotel to open in Miami’s preeminent creative and cultural district, is a living canvas that sparks curiosity from art connoisseurs and novices alike. Reflective of its neighborhood, the property’s exterior walls feature works by Miami-based artist Hoxxoh, known for his “spheres of life” that illustrate the motions of space and time, and MILAGROS Collective, whose co-founders Felici Asteinza and Joey Fillastre create site-specific work that explores the history of the community through striking arrangements of color and lines. On the serene outdoor yoga deck, guests will find Florida-based collage artist Ari Robinson’s one-of-a-kind plexiglass mural featuring overlapping organic shapes of varying sizes, while the hotel’s ART Wynwood rooftop boasts the mural “Want to Be Reminded” by L.A.-based artist ThankYouX, which reflects Miami’s vibrant energy by incorporating unique color schemes that represent the hotel and neighborhood. Arlo Wynwood’s interiors display more than 250 works of art from a range of artists, including Alain Castoriano, Coruna Luna, Jessica Poundstone, Joe Geis, Lauren Williams, Matthias Lupri, Ryan Coleman and Tom Abbiss. The hotel also partnered with pioneering “phygital” (physical + digital) artist Brooke Einbender to design each of its elevators with 3D decals that reflect the intersection of art and technology. In partnership with art curator Jasmine Arakel, Arlo Wynwood’s third-floor gallery features a rotating display of works from celebrated artists, including Giorgio Tentolini, Kandy Lopez, Dan Alva, Chris Rivers and Lisa Ashinoff.
The Elser Hotel
In the heart of Downtown Miami, The Elser Hotel is a reflection of the city’s culture and transformative design with an alluring combination of custom local pieces and colorful Latin American-influenced artwork. As guests enter the lobby, they will find works by Venezuelan artist Paul Amundarain that create near-optical illusions with pops of color and bold brushwork. The hotel’s interior walls and elevator cabs are adorned with urban art pieces by Andrew Antonaccio, a favorite in the Miami art scene. Larger murals also decorate the property’s indoor and outdoor amenity spaces. A mural by Jeffrey Noble is positioned on the corner of the hotel’s lawn, highlighting signature palm trees and poolside lounging. Another mural by Amundarain sits above the hot tub and sauna space.
The Goodtime Hotel
Conceived as a collection of intimate spaces, The Goodtime Hotel is a South Beach oasis that offers a transportive, escapist retreat with Instagram-ready moments at every turn. Curated by Tappan Collective, the hotel’s artwork can be found in the lobby, restaurant, corridors, guest rooms, elevator landings and library and includes a range of up-and-coming global artists. Hung with assorted frame styles, the collection was selected to spark conversation between guests. Artists include Marleigh Culver, Ethan Caflisch, Gabrielle Teschner, Michael DeSutter and Annelie Vandendael, among others.
Hotel Continental
Established in 1948, the newly renovated Hotel Continental is a boutique lifestyle hotel in Miami Beach’s historic Collins Waterfront Architectural District. It blends retro-chic design inspired by Miami’s midcentury charm with modern amenities for today’s travelers. Curated art plays a pivotal role in the hotel’s aesthetic and ambience. Upon entering the lobby, guests are greeted by one of two commissioned paintings by acclaimed artist Danny O’Conner, with the other gracing The Mixer, the hotel’s reminiscent lounge overlooking the MiMo-era pool. O’Conner’s artwork is a vibrant tribute to the golden era of American leisure, combining nostalgia, pop culture and sun-soaked escapism. At the heart of his work is “Commander Good Times,” a recurring character and longboarder inspired by his friend, JoJo Toscano, a surfer, skateboarder and collector of vintage beach memorabilia. When entering their rooms, guests will discover works by T.S. Harris, a contemporary artist renowned for her large-scale, high-contrast oil paintings capturing midcentury figures and landscapes that evoke the feeling of forgotten summers. Harris’ works focus on the connections between people, both past and present, and capture the fleeting moments of summer, making for an interactive and evocative experience where life can mimic art.
The Gabriel South Beach
Located along Ocean Drive, The Gabriel South Beach is an iconic art deco hotel with a glass-bottom rooftop pool enveloped in a mural by Danish artist and philanthropist Mikael B that combines expressive graffiti with a South Beach twist. Mikael B, who has collaborated with brands like Google and Nike, leans into abstract art with spray paint and acrylic with the idea that “anything can happen.” The Gabriel guests can also find a 30-foot-tall mural by French-born, Los Angeles-based street artist Mr. Brainwash, known for his large-scale installations and the practice of subverting cultural iconography (similar to Andy Warhol and Banksy) with prints of celebrities like Madonna, Kate Moss and Marilyn Monroe.
The Gates Hotel South Beach
The Gates Hotel South Beach is a stylish property ideally located on Collins Avenue, just a short stroll from Ocean Drive, Miami Beach’s vibrant nightlife, and renowned cultural experiences. Built on the foundation of the 1954 Motel Ankara, The Gates maintains its historic art deco-inspired architecture on the exterior while breathing new life into a reconstructed interior. Far from just a place to stay, the hotel is a destination for contemporary art lovers, thanks to its One Love Digital Art Gallery, a must-visit for those seeking innovation, inspiration, and a glimpse into the future of art. This cutting-edge exhibition space, created in partnership with NFTCLT and One Love Art DAO, brings blockchain-powered, AI-enabled displays to life in two distinct areas: a striking main gallery at the hotel entrance and an immersive second-floor exhibition space. Showcasing a dynamic rotation of digital works from global artists, the gallery evolves through open calls and exclusive cultural programming, from AI art workshops to exhibitions aligned with events like Formula 1 and Miami Art Week. The hotel also boasts a coveted selection of works by Jorge de la Torriente in its guest rooms. The Miami native’s Aerial Beach Collection showcases breathtaking bird’s-eye coastline views that are striking in their serenity and beauty.
PANHANDLE
Hotel Effie Sandestin
Hotel Effie, located on Florida’s Emerald Coast and part of Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, maintains a laid-back beach town character complemented by artwork that perfectly encapsulates this change of pace. Brendan Parker, who creates mixed-media art with epoxy resins and abstract expression, is the local artist behind several pieces throughout the lobby and guest rooms, plus a custom original work in the presidential suite. Parker lives at the resort and wants to elevate its beauty, especially as someone who always vacationed in Sandestin. His pieces draw inspiration from what he thought the spaces were missing. Since the hotel opened in February 2021, a highlight among travelers is taking photos in front of Parker’s works, which can be purchased through the Hotel Effie app (available on mobile).
ST. PETERSBURG
SkyBeach Resort
SkyBeach Resort is a beachfront resort located on the southern tip of St. Petersburg, Florida. A love letter to St. Pete, the resort draws on the city’s vibrant and eclectic arts scene to incorporate pieces throughout the property. On the hotel’s lawn, guests and visitors will come across three handcrafted wind sculptures by kinetic artist Lyman Whitaker that rotate gracefully with the wind. Made from stainless steel, they are designed to bring movement and life to their surroundings. In the resort’s lobby is a plaster-finish mural by local St. Pete artist Jesse Wilhelm of JW Murals. The piece features a blend of authentic Venetian plaster and blue hues layered with a silver wax finish that shimmers subtly, reminiscent of sunlight reflecting on the water. At the resort’s outdoor restaurant, SkyBar + Grille, guests can admire a beautiful ship wheel chandelier, a nod to the hotel’s maritime history. During the resort’s renovations in 2022, the team discovered two old ship wheels tucked away in a storage closet, their origins unknown. Rather than discarding them, a skilled woodworker on-site repurposed them into a light fixture, now serving as the restaurant’s focal point.
KEY WEST
The Marker Key West Harbor Resort
The Marker Key West Harbor Resort combines Key West charm with beach town luxury for the best tropical escape. Artist John Martini perfectly captures its character with his colorful sculptures along Lazy Way at the front of the resort, overlooking the boats that enter the dock area and complementing the resort with a fun beach-themed palette. Living and working in Key West and Veuxhaulles-sur-Aube, France, Martini uses materials such as wood and bronze to create unique stand-alone figures, drawing influence from animals and people. The Marker also partnered with Key West Pottery, which created a series of totem poles for the hotel exterior.
NAPLES
Perry Hotel Naples
Situated along the Cocohatchee River, The Perry Hotel Naples is a boutique 160-room resort designed by Casa Conde that incorporates local architecture and landscape elements to offer a modern, intimate connection to the outdoors. On the hotel’s seventh floor is a striking mural by Richie Blanko, a Puerto Rican graffiti artist, muralist, curator and educator from Detroit, with assistance from Squid Graphixs. The mural features a tiger theme, embodying strength, elegance and a sense of mystique, a nod to the hotel’s Cantonese chophouse, Tigress by Chef Dale Talde. Upon entering the restaurant, guests are greeted by another large mural depicting flora and miniature tigers, reminiscent of the silk linings inside jewelry boxes. On the adjacent wall are three black-and-white images of tigers. In the hallway, a collection of Chinese opera characters enhances the theme, adding an unexpected layer of culture and intrigue.