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The Setai Hotel in Miami Beach: 2024 Art Basel Central
Edited by: TJVNews.com
Situated ocean-side in the heart of Miami’s most desirable location on Collins Avenue and 20th Street in South Beach, The Setai-Miami Beach is an award-winning, international leader in hospitality and the hotel of choice for the sophisticated international traveler. The Setai masterfully combines the warmth of Asian hospitality with the best in personalized service and truly rarified comfort.
Owned and personally operated by Joe Nakash, (of Jordache Jeans fame), hotel guests and visitors to the Miami Beach area are treated to personalized service by the man who made this all happen.
Housed in a restored 1936 landmark building within the historical Art Deco District, The Setai has been artfully designed, weaving the aesthetics of the Far East into its original Art Deco facade. The Setai features 90 Art Deco rooms, 50 Ocean Suites, 3 Pool Villas, 1 Penthouse and incomparable amenities including three temperature-controlled sparkling pools, beach front services, exceptional dining experiences led by Executive Chef Vijayudu Veena including Jaya and The Ocean Grill, Valmont for The Spa at The Setai, Miami Beach and a Clefs d’Or Chief Concierge. The hotel is privately held; and holds membership with The Leading Hotels of the World, and has been consecutively awarded the coveted Forbes Travel Guide Five Star Award since 2015.
Nakash Holdings is the private investment office of the celebrated Nakash family. The company manages a multibillion-dollar portfolio of investments including aviation, retail, agriculture, transportation, manufacturing, and real estate located in prime locations throughout the world. The real estate portfolio consists of retail, office, multifamily and hospitality properties. Nakash continues to seek out new opportunities in locations that fit the portfolio criteria. The strategy is generational, with a focus on long term holds, acquiring the best buildings in the best locations.
In the latest rankings released by travel website Trips to Discover, The Setai on South Beach in Miami has secured a coveted spot on the list of the 15 Most Beautiful Hotels and Resorts in the United States, as was recently reported in the Miami Herald. Out of the numerous luxurious accommodations across the country, The Setai was the sole representative from Florida, further solidifying its status as a top-tier destination.
Trips to Discover praised The Setai for its unique blend of art deco and Eastern influences, which create a captivating ambiance, the Miami Herald reported. The hotel also boasts an exquisite design with shimmering glass elements. The Miami Herald also reported that its prime beachfront location ensures that guests are just steps away from the sandy shores of the iconic Miami Beach. And speaking of which, one of the more popular restaurants at The Setai is located on the boardwalk facing the Atlantic Ocean.
One of the standout features of The Setai is its impressive array of amenities, including three heated swimming pools. The Miami Herald report indicated that the pools are maintained at temperatures of 75, 85, and 90 degrees respectively, providing guests with a range of options to suit their preferences. Whether seeking relaxation or indulging in water-based activities, visitors are sure to find their perfect spot.
Gastronomy enthusiasts will also find themselves delighted at The Setai. The Miami Herald reported that the hotel offers two exceptional dining establishments. Jaya, a glamorous Asian restaurant, is led by the talented executive chef Vijayudu Veena, while Ocean Grill, an open-air waterfront venue, serves delectable Mediterranean cuisine, the report said. These culinary destinations are sure to satisfy the most discerning palates and elevate the overall experience of guests.
For those seeking the ultimate in relaxation and rejuvenation, The Setai’s on-site spa, Valmont for the Spa at the Setai, promises an oasis of tranquility. The Miami Herald reported that this luxurious spa has earned the prestigious Forbes Four-Star rating, ensuring that guests receive top-notch treatments and personalized care.
Accommodations at The Setai reflect the hotel’s commitment to excellence and attention to detail. The sophisticated all-suite rooms are inspired by Asian design and range from studios to a lavish four-bedroom penthouse. Each suite is equipped with espresso coffeemakers, Italian linens, and flat-screen TVs with surround sound. Some suites even feature kitchens and whirlpool tubs, providing an extra level of comfort and convenience.
One of the most significant expressions of the Art Deco movement in South Beach, The Setai, Miami Beach was designed by renowned architect Henry Hohauser and originally opened as the Dempsey-Vanderbilt hotel by heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey on January 1, 1937. Over eighty years later, The Setai, Miami Beach building remains the award-winning crown jewel of South Beach, an intimate oceanfront resort that combines a rich architectural history with a sleek Art Deco Fusion style. Art Deco styles first appeared in France in the 1920’s and spread across Europe in the 1920’s and 1930’s. It came to America in the 1930’s and 1940’s.
The Setai quickly attracted society and entertainment personalities including William Kissam Vanderbilt, Coleman DuPont, Ed Sullivan and Vaughn Monroe, to name a few. To this day, The Setai continues to entice a sophisticated clientele who value the discretion, privacy and incomparable level of service offered.
Aesthetically, The Setai’s façade is adorned with a distinctive series of floral bas reliefs, zig-zag decorations and chevron patterns which pay homage to its Art Deco heritage. In 2005, designers Jean Michel Gathy and Jaya Ibrahim infused their distinct vision in a subtle renovation and incorporated a Far East influence that included a palate of bronze, tropical timber and leather with mother of pearl.
The lead designer, Jean-Michel Gathy of Denniston International has surpassed the staged décor style that has been the main theme of the boutique hotels in South Beach and created an environment that is truly distinctive and luxurious with an underlying Asian aesthetic and value. Envisioned as more than a hotel, and rather like a vacation home for guests, the design is intended to create a tasteful setting, richly infused with natural materials, space and light. In the lobby, for example, a carefully selected and elegant palette of brick, bronze, tropical timber, and leather has been used.
While many travelers stay at the W Hotel, directly across the street from The Setai, in the evenings the lobby is virtually empty as many guests make their way across the street to The Setai, a central hub for the action taking place in South Beach.
This year, as in previous years, The Setai will be the central focus for those attending the Art Basel Miami Beach event; the premier art presentation in the world. More international guests as well as a slew of renowned art dealers have chosen The Setai as their much preferred hotel of choice, not only because of its numerous amenities but it’s location to The Miami Beach Convention Center could not be better. The convention center will be the home of Art Basel and it is located across the street from The Setai.
A source familiar with Art Basel told The Jewish Voice that, “This year will be absolutely extraordinary in terms of attendance at Art Basel and that is due to an incredibly upbeat vibe as a result of Donald Trump being re-elected as president. People in the art world, especially dealers and presenters are fully cognizant of the fact that the economy is in an upswing and people are not hesitant about spending on the type of art they love.”
Case in point: Justin Sun, the enigmatic Chinese cryptocurrency entrepreneur and founder of the Tron blockchain platform, recently purchased “Comedian” a $6.2 million art piece by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan featuring a banana duct-taped to a wall. Sun consumed the fruit on Friday, capturing the spectacle on video and sharing it with his millions of followers on X (formerly Twitter).
“Many friends have asked me about the taste of the banana,” Sun wrote in his post, accompanying a video of the event. The clip shows him carefully peeling and eating the art-world oddity, which had captivated audiences for its provocative simplicity. “To be honest, for a banana with such a back story, the taste is naturally different from an ordinary one,” Sun explained, adding a whimsical note that he detected “a hint of what Big Mike bananas from 100 years ago might have tasted like.”
Maurizio Cattelan’s Comedian, which first debuted at Art Basel Miami Beach in 2019, became a viral sensation and a point of cultural debate. Critics questioned whether it was a commentary on the art world’s commodification or simply a joke with a hefty price tag. Sun’s decision to eat the banana takes this conversation to new heights, turning the act of destruction into yet another layer of performance.
A Comprehensive Guide to Art Basel Miami Beach 2024
Running from December 6 to 8, with exclusive VIP previews on December 4 and 5, this 22nd edition of Art Basel Miami Beach is set to captivate collectors, curators, and art enthusiasts from across the globe. Held at the sprawling Miami Beach Convention Center, the event stands as a beacon of creativity, cultural exchange, and global artistic dialogue. With the leadership of newly appointed Director Bridget Finn, this year’s edition reflects a reinvigorated vision, presenting an expansive array of galleries, immersive installations, thought-provoking discussions, and special events across Miami.
This year’s fair features a historic lineup of 283 galleries from 34 countries, the largest participation since 2008, including an impressive 32 first-time exhibitors. These galleries span the globe, showcasing diverse artistic traditions and voices from North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Newcomers include:
A Gentil Carioca (Rio de Janeiro), known for its innovative promotion of Brazilian art.
Afriart Gallery (Kampala), representing contemporary African artists.
Alfonso Artiaco (Naples), with a focus on conceptual and minimalist art.
Altman Siegel (San Francisco), showcasing cutting-edge works by emerging and established artists.
Antenna Space (Shanghai), a hub for China’s avant-garde art scene.
Returning participants include esteemed names such as Hauser & Wirth, David Zwirner, and Pace Gallery, underscoring Art Basel’s reputation as the premier marketplace for high-quality contemporary art.
Curated Sectors and Highlights
Art Basel Miami Beach 2024 is structured around curated sectors that provide a comprehensive experience of global artistic practices:
Galleries: The main sector showcases a rich variety of modern and contemporary works, ranging from painting and sculpture to digital art and photography.
Nova: Dedicated to young galleries presenting recent works by up to three artists, this sector highlights experimentation and emerging trends.
Positions: A platform for solo exhibitions by up-and-coming artists, offering collectors and curators a first look at new talent.
Survey: Focused on historical projects and works created before 2000, this sector delves into the evolution of artistic practices over time.
Meridians: Curated by Yasmil Raymond, this sector offers a stage for large-scale works, installations, and performances that transcend the boundaries of traditional fair booths.
Kabinett and Conversations
The Kabinett sector offers galleries the opportunity to present focused exhibitions within their booths, featuring thematic installations or monographic displays. Past Kabinett highlights have included retrospectives, archival explorations, and experimental projects that provide deeper insight into specific artists or movements.
The fair’s Conversations program, curated by writer and educator Kimberly Bradley, brings together prominent figures in the art world to discuss critical issues shaping contemporary art. Topics for 2024 are expected to include AI and art creation, sustainability in the art market, and the intersection of art and social activism.
Exclusive Events and Social Highlights
Art Basel Miami Beach is not only an art fair but also a social and cultural phenomenon. The week will feature a lineup of high-profile parties, exclusive dinners, and luxury showcases:
Salone del Mobile.Milano: Celebrates Italian design with its “Salone, Milano and Beyond” event at Soho Beach House.
Jordi Mollà’s “Beauty” Pop-Up Gallery: Spanish actor and artist Jordi Mollà will present a series of evocative acrylics and mixed-media works at 1655 Meridian Avenue.
Artemide Inc.: The luxury lighting brand will host private showings at its Miami showroom, offering a glimpse into the latest innovations in design.
Meridians: Expanding the Horizons of Art
Public Engagement and Educational Opportunities
Art Basel is also committed to fostering public engagement and education. A variety of workshops, panel discussions, and tours will be offered, ensuring that the fair is accessible to art lovers of all backgrounds. The event’s emphasis on inclusivity is further reflected in its collaboration with local schools and community organizations, p
roviding unique opportunities for students to experience world-class art firsthand.
Art Basel Miami Beach 2024 promises to be a transformative experience, celebrating the power of art to inspire, provoke, and unite. With its record-breaking lineup of exhibitors, innovative programming, and vibrant social scene, the fair continues to set the standard for excellence in the global art world. Whether you are a seasoned collector or a curious newcomer, Art Basel Miami Beach offers something for everyone—a testament to the enduring vitality of contemporary art.
