With perfectly warm yet cool temperatures, fall and winter are the best seasons for outdoor festivals in Florida. If your clients are looking for an excuse to visit the Sunshine State, book them a stay at one of these hotels and send them to an upcoming festival nearby.
3. Art Ovation Hotel: Fall Fine Art Festival
Now in its 6th year, the Sarasota Fall Fine Art Festival transforms the city’s Gulf Stream Avenue into an outdoor gallery of original, handmade works by artisans from across Florida and throughout the United States. Fair-goers will have the chance to admire artwork from nearly all mediums including sculpture, jewelry, photography, glass, ceramics, fiber and wearable art, mixed-media, woodworking, and more. To complete your art-loving client’s experience, recommend a stay at the Art Ovation Hotel located in downtown Sarasota. The arts-centric property helps guests get in touch with their creative side through experiences such as group music lessons, origami lessons, live performances, IMPROV comedy lessons, paint and sketch classes, and tours of the curated art installations throughout the property. Guests can also practice their craft or try out a new one with in-room instruments and leather-bound sketchbooks also available.
This year, the Sarasota Fall Fine Art Festival will take place Nov. 17-18. For more information, visit paragonartevents.com. Nightly rates at Art Ovation Hotel start at $169. For more information on the property, visit artovationhotel.com.
2. Stanton South Beach: Art Basel
Every December, thousands of visitors flock to Miami Beach to experience the art, food, and entertainment of Art Basel. Over 250 leading galleries participate in this event, which brings together some of the world’s most impressive artwork under one roof in the Miami Beach Convention Center. Located just a few miles away, the Stanton South Beach makes for an excellent home base during the festivities. The hotel-turned-resort features two pools overlooking the ocean, a sun deck, two restaurants, and a new spa and fitness center.
This year’s Art Basel will take place Dec. 6-9. For more information, visit artbasel.com/miami-beach. Rates at the Stanton South Beach start at $253 per night. For more information, visit stantonsobe.com.
1. The Perry Hotel Key West: Love Stock Island Festival
Also taking place in December is the Love Stock Island Festival, which draws in over 20,000 people annually for three days of free and ticketed events that showcase Stock Island’s culinary scene, entertainment, arts, and local culture. Events vary annually, but examples of past events include lighted boat parades, shrimp boils, animal farms, artist studio open-houses and group activities where travelers can visit the area’s restaurants by bike or trolley. To help your clients enjoy this festival, consider booking them at The Perry Hotel Key West. Located on the Stock Island Marina, the 100-room boutique hotel is close to all the action. The festival even hosts a Taste of Stock Island tour that stop at both of the property’s seafood-driven restaurants, Salty Oyster and Matt’s Stock Island Kitchen & Bar. For an extra taste of the local art scene, the property also features onsite artist studios where guests can watch local craftsmen in action.
The Love Stock Island Festival will take place Dec. 7-9. For more information, visit ilovestockisland.org. Rates at The Perry Hotel Key West start at $191 per night. For more information, visit perrykeywest.com, and also be sure to read Recommend’s full onsite review of the property here.
